Despite Swift being nominated for six awards at the May 26 ceremony in Las Vegas, including Artist of the Year and Album of the Year, the pop superstar was a no-show. Adding to the surprise, new photos of Kelce emerged just hours before the show—he was seen leaving a training session in Boca Raton, Florida, confirming he would not be attending either.
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The Kansas City Chiefs tight end is currently renting a $20 million mansion in Boca Raton during the NFL offseason, where he’s preparing for Organized Team Activities (OTAs). Just days earlier, Swift and Kelce were spotted enjoying a private dinner at Harry’s Restaurant & Bar in West Palm Beach, fueling hopes of a rare public appearance at the AMAs.
The couple also skipped other major events this season, including the Met Gala and the iHeartRadio Music Awards, where Swift won a record-breaking nine trophies.
Fans speculated Swift might make a surprise appearance or announce Reputation (Taylor’s Version) during the AMAs. Buzz intensified after her official store appeared to drop Easter eggs—the homepage categories briefly spelled out “AMAs,” with a 26% sale hinting at the May 26 event.
While neither star appeared, anticipation for Reputation (TV) continues to grow, especially after a re-recorded track debuted on Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale.