From one jab to another.
Olivia “Livvy” Dun was tuned into Taylor Swift’s much-discussed guest appearance on the “New Heights” podcast. The former NCAA gymnast particularly relished the moment when Swift playfully poked fun at male sports fans who, according to her, hogged the screen during a Chiefs game.
“As you probably know, there are quite a few male sports fans tuning into your podcast,” Swift, 35, said, referencing her relationship with Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, which began in the summer of 2023. “I think we can all agree there’s one thing these fans like to see when they look at their screens. That’s me.”
Dun, who is currently dating Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes, shared the clip on her Instagram story, adding a laughing emoji and writing, “She got it.”
Despite announcing her upcoming album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” set to release on October 3, Swift has faced some backlash, accused of diverting attention from NFL fans and sports in general.
Dun, who retired in April after the LSU gymnastics team didn’t make it to the national finals, has openly discussed the negative comments she receives from fans. On Tuesday, she took to TikTok to express her frustration, mentioning how her social media was overwhelmed with reactions, GIFs, and comments.
“POV: You’re dating a professional athlete,” she posted, including a screenshot of some of the comments she received. “Yarl is obsessed,” she joked, punctuating it with a crying emoji.
Swift’s two-hour segment on the “New Heights” podcast gained massive attention as she discussed her new album. The couple, for the first time, delved into their whirlwind romance and how they’ve managed the relentless media attention.
“I try not to pay much attention to what’s out there; after all, if you’re getting your feedback from the internet, it can mess with your mindset,” Swift stated, sharing her own experiences with scrutiny in the music realm.
Kelce, 35, echoed her thoughts, noting, “I didn’t want to mess this up.” He praised Swift for being “very realistic” in handling the spotlight that naturally comes with her career.
In an earlier joint interview with GQ, Skenes, the top overall pick in the 2023 MLB draft, commented on Dunne’s experiences in the public eye, noting she’s navigated fame far differently than he has.
“But she manages everything incredibly well. She’s really good at engaging with those who want to talk to her,” he implied.
Dun initially found fame through gymnastics videos on TikTok, blossoming into a social media star during the pandemic. The couple, who met in Baton Rouge, confirmed their relationship in August 2023.
