Travis Kelce, the mercurial TE for the Kansas City Chiefs, has been in the limelight for the majority of this season because of his affiliations with arguably the biggest pop sensation on this planet, Taylor Swift. However, the 33-year-old recently found himself tangled in an internet fiasco that has led PR publicists worldwide to duck for cover.
Pia Malihi, Kelce’s publicist, recently posted a photo on her social media that has since drawn Kelce into a whirlwind of backlash. With the controversy persisting, it is crucial that Kelce makes an immediate decision
Travis Kelce’s publicist makes huge mistake
Kelce found himself embroiled in an unexpected social media controversy when his publicist, Pia Malihi, inadvertently reposted a photo featuring herself alongside Taylor Swift. The photo, initially shared by a friend of Malihi’s, depicted Swift in the foreground with a clown-face emoji imposed on her, sparking widespread backlash across social media platforms, including Barstool Sports owner Dave Portnoy.
Introducing the worst publicist to ever live. Travis Kelce's publicist reposting a picture that has a clown emoji over Taylor's face. Even if it was an accident it's an accident a publicist can't make. See ya Pia…. https://t.co/jmujBmSKbY
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) October 29, 2023
The incident ignited a storm of criticism, particularly from Swift’s devoted fan base, known as “Swifties.” Malihi became the target of intense scrutiny and received a deluge of negative comments on her social media profiles. Some netizens even resorted to calling Malihi a “snake in the grass.” This backlash was intensified due to Malihi’s professional affiliation with Travis Kelce, who is reportedly romantically linked to Taylor Swift.
Taylor cheering for the Chiefs touchdown by Travis! 🏈✨ pic.twitter.com/SNFWtQgtxI
— Taylor Swift Updates (@SwiftNYC) October 22, 2023
What escalated the situation further was Malihi’s past association with Scooter Braun, who is widely seen as a nemesis by Taylor Swift’s fanbase. Braun’s ongoing feud with Swift, especially regarding the ownership of her music catalog, has intensified the animosity between Swifties and anyone affiliated with the music manager.
Travis Kelce’s decision on publicists’ future
Travis Kelce, known for his successful career in the NFL and his public image, is reportedly assessing the situation and its potential impact on his professional affiliations. The furor generated by the ill-advised repost has prompted Kelce to contemplate the future of his partnership with Pia Malihi. The incident serves as a reminder of the power and reach of social media, where a single misjudged post can have unforeseen consequences, impacting not just personal relationships but also professional associations.
Is Travis Kelce's Publicist Pia Malihi A Snake In The Grass Reposting A Photo Of Taylor Swift With A Clown Emoji Over Her Face? https://t.co/qTnf81RzrE
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) October 29, 2023
As the story continues to unfold, both Travis Kelce and Pia Malihi have yet to release formal statements addressing the matter. However, the incident has sparked discussions about the responsibilities and potential repercussions associated with the actions of public figures.
Meanwhile, the Kansas City Chiefs faced an unexpected setback this past Sunday as they suffered a surprising loss to the Denver Broncos. To make matters worse, Taylor Swift, who usually brings good luck to the Super Bowl champions, was absent as she prepared for her “Eras” tour.
What’s interesting is that when Taylor Swift is in the stadium, the team enjoys a perfect winning streak. However, in this case, they had to deal not only with her absence but also with the unforeseen Patrick Mahomes’ illness, which became a factor during Week 8.
As for now, Travis Kelce would want to focus on proceedings within the gridiron.
