Entertainment

Athletes Who Have Passionately Defended Taylor Swift Attending NFL Games  on February 3, 2024 at 8:45 pm Us Weekly

Published

1 year ago

February 4, 2024

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Many professional athletes do not agree with the “dads, Brads and Chads” hating on Taylor Swift’s attendance at NFL games.

Swift has been a fixture at boyfriend Travis Kelce’s Kansas City Chiefs games since September 2023, with the NFL occasionally showing her on the Jumbotron and on the broadcast when Kelce has a big play. The coverage outraged some diehard football supporters, lamenting that Swift is prioritized onscreen over the actual game. Swift and Kelce, meanwhile, haven’t let the haters faze them (and reports have confirmed the league has toned down how often they show the pop star).

“I don’t know how they know what suite I’m in. There’s a camera, like, a half-mile away, and you don’t know where it is, and you have no idea when the camera is putting you in the broadcast, so I don’t know if I’m being shown 17 times or once,” Swift told TIME in a December 2023 profile. “I’m just there to support Travis. I have no awareness of if I’m being shown too much and pissing off a few dads, Brads and Chads.”

Kelce later marveled at how his “amazing” girlfriend handled the backlash. “I’ll say this, they showed Taylor at the game and you don’t see an entire home team fanbase go insane for somebody wearing the opposite team’s colors,” he said during an episode of his “New Heights” podcast that month. “Just shows you how amazing that girl is.”

He added at the time, “They went absolutely insane when they showed Taylor on the screen. … Might have been a few Brads and Chads that were booing, but for the most part, everybody was f—king screaming at Taylor.”

Swift and Kelce, a tight end for the Chiefs since 2013, aren’t the only ones in favor of her game day attendance. Keep scrolling to see what the stars have said in defense of Swift joining Chiefs Kingdom:

Patrick Mahomes

Mahomes, the Chiefs starting quarterback, is a close friend of Kelce’s and doesn’t see Swift as a game day distraction.

“I don’t think it feels any different. People see the whole Taylor Swift and Travis [thing] and they make it a huge deal because it is a huge deal,” Mahomes said in an ESPN sit-down in November 2023. “I think it becomes a bigger deal to the fanbases than it does to the guys who are actually in the building. … I think you can understand why it’s not become a distraction or anything like that because everybody cares about being the best they can be every day.”

Jason Kelce

Travis’ older brother, who plays for the Philadelphia Eagles, is all-in on the NFL’s coverage of Swift since she’s an “unbelievable role model.”

“The attention’s there because the audience wants to see it. If people didn’t want to see it, they wouldn’t be showing it, I know that,” Jason quipped during an interview with Cincinnati’s ABC affiliate WCPO 9 in February 2024. “She’s a world star and the quintessential artist right now in the world.”

He continued: “[She’s] immensely talented, an unbelievable role model for young women across the globe, so I think that the NFL would probably be foolish not to show her and show her be a role model for all the young girls out there.”

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

J.J. Watt

The retired football star confessed to Us Weekly that he “can’t understand” why football fans have been “so upset” about Swift supporting Kelce’s career.

“I mean, they show celebrities at games all the time. Don’t act like we don’t show male celebrities at games all the time,” he exclusively told Us in January 2024. “I don’t really understand why it’s caused such an uproar. I mean, she’s literally there supporting her significant other, and that’s what you should do as a significant other.”

Shannon Sharpe

“They lose a game, [some will say] it’s because of her. And they win a game, [some will ask], ‘Why [are] the cameras on her?’ But I like it,” Sharpe, a retired tight end, exclusively told Us in January 2024. “I like it for him. I like her being at the game. She brings a different set of eyeballs to the game. There are a lot of young girls and women that are watching the NFL football that could care less about that. And so the NFL’s, like, ‘Hey, if we get new eyeballs, we get new customers, we’re onboard.’”

Dan Marino

The retired Miami Dolphins quarterback told Us in January 2024 that Swift “hasn’t affected any games” from her perch in the stadium crowd.

“She might as well have fun and enjoy it while she’s dating one of the stars in the NFL. And what’s wrong with that? Nothing,” Marino quipped.

Kirk Cousins

Minnesota Vikings QB Kirk Cousins also sees Swift’s presence as a “positive for the league” despite certain fans booing her whenever the Chiefs lost a game.

“I mean, fans are going to be fans [and] maybe they blame her,” Cousins told Us in January 2024. “I don’t know if the blame is well placed, but I think a lot of the games she’s attended, they played really well and they won.”

Megan Briggs/Getty Images

Charles Barkley

“If you’re screaming at Taylor Swift saying she ruined [football], you’re just a loser,” the retired NBA All Star quipped during a February 2024 episode of his King Charles show. “You’re just a loser or a jackass. You’re either A or B. You’re one of the two.”

Drue Tranquill

“They’ve got really, really something going and we enjoy having her at our games,” the Chiefs linebacker said on the “Zach Gelb Show” in January 2024. “It brings a lot of energy and a lot of fun to our fans. And so that’s good for business, good for football and good for the NFL.”

Christian Okoye

The retired Chiefs running back stressed to TMZ Sports in December 2023 that Swift has “nothing to do” with the team’s game record.

“Taylor Swift is not on the field. Travis is playing like he always plays,” Okoye said. “Teams are just doubling up on him now knowing that our receivers are dropping the balls. When you’re doing bad, people have to find excuses and they have to point fingers. Especially those who don’t like the situation about Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce.”

Which Taylor Swift Rerecord Is Your Favorite?

Eli Manning

After news broke that Kelce was planning to spend his November 2023 bye week in Argentina to see Swift on her Eras Tour, the former Giants quarterback defended the vacation.

“I think the bye week is a great time to get away from football and I think that’s the idea,” Manning told People at the time. “It is the time to rest the body, rest the mind a little bit, recharge yourself to get ready for that second half of the season.”

He continued, “I think for him to travel, there’s nothing wrong with traveling, going somewhere. Hey, if he wants to go and support his girlfriend and see her play a concert, I’ve got no problem with that.”

Carl Banks

The retired linebacker dismissed the backlash during a February 2024 interview with Page Six.

“I’m not down with the negative energy. I’m loving all of what they’re doing. I’m here for it,” Banks said. “[Their relationship] is one of the great moments of this NFL season and anybody that’s got a problem with it, they need to cope harder. If you can show my good friend Spike Lee at every Knicks game and every opponent’s game, then why not Taylor?”

Justin Ford/Getty Images

Stephen A. Smith

The sportscaster has become one of the most vocal members of Tayvis Nation (the fan-appointed nickname for Swift and Kelce’s supporters) — and frequently defends the Grammy winner’s game day outings.

“I have to take a moment to come to the defense of Taylor Swift,” Smith said during a January 2024 ESPN broadcast. “Everybody’s sitting up there and acting like she’s some kind of impediment. … She’s going to support her dude. To show up at a football game and the cameras are on her — that ain’t her fault! And excuse me, by the way, she went to the games after the concerts. It’s not like she used the games to bump up the concerts.”

Colin Cowherd

Cowherd went on an impassioned rant about the “really weird, lonely, insecure men” hating on Swift’s NFL presence during a January 2024 episode of his The Herd radio show.

“The fact that a pop star — the world’s biggest pop star — [is] dating a star tight end, who had one of his greatest games ever, and the network puts them on the air briefly, that bothers you. What does that say about your life?” Cowherd, a sportscaster, quipped. “Did you know, statistically, in a three-hour NFL broadcast … just 18 minutes are actual football, and we have the data, you don’t turn away. There’s coach cutaways, they show fans in Buffalo on fire, commercials, reviews. [It’s] 18 minutes of real football, [which] for the record [is] about the length of five Taylor Swift songs.”

Steven Ferdman/Getty Images

Elle Duncan

Duncan, an ESPN commentator, also called out the double standard during a December 2023 episode of her“Elle Duncan Show” podcast.

“It is not her fault. I am so tired of us doing this. And we do this to women,” Duncan lamented. “It’s Jessica Simpson’s fault [that] Tony Romo spit the bit. Remember Kim Kardashian and Miles Austin for a hot second? It’s her fault. It’s always the woman’s fault for ‘distracting.’ Nobody’s asking if Travis Kelce is distracting her from a world tour. No one’s saying that. And I don’t like that.”

Getty Images (3) Many professional athletes do not agree with the “dads, Brads and Chads” hating on Taylor Swift’s attendance at NFL games. Swift has been a fixture at boyfriend Travis Kelce’s Kansas City Chiefs games since September 2023, with the NFL occasionally showing her on the Jumbotron and on the broadcast when Kelce has

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Entertainment

Is the Dream of Professional Filmmaking Dead?

Published

18 hours ago

June 18, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

The film industry, once a beacon of creative opportunity and stable careers, is facing an unprecedented crisis. From Hollywood’s production decline to the vanishing “middle class” of filmmakers, professionals and aspiring creatives alike are asking: Is it still possible to make a living in film in 2025 and beyond?

The Hollywood Downturn: By the Numbers

Recent reports from major outlets like the LA Times and Film LA reveal a stark reality: filming in the greater Los Angeles area dropped by 22% in the first quarter of this year, with total shoot days down nearly 25%. This isn’t just a local issue—Hollywood’s struggles are a warning sign for the global industry.

Why Is This Happening?

1. The Streaming Algorithm Trap

The rise of streaming platforms has fundamentally changed how content is produced and consumed. Tech-driven companies like Netflix use vast amounts of viewer data to determine what gets made, leading to a glut of similar content—true crime, celebrity docs, and reality shows—at the expense of originality. While this approach maximizes short-term profits, it stifles creative risk-taking and makes it harder for new, innovative projects to get greenlit.

2. Economic Pressures and Runaway Costs

Shooting in California has become prohibitively expensive, with permits and labor costs driving productions overseas to cheaper locations like Hungary and Ireland. Even with recent tariffs aimed at protecting domestic filmmaking, the economics remain challenging for all but the biggest studios.

3. The Disappearance of the Filmmaking Middle Class

Perhaps the most devastating trend is the erosion of the “middle class” in filmmaking—those who built steady careers on commercials, network TV, and mid-budget features. As budgets shrink and studios play it safe, these jobs are vanishing, leaving only high-end blockbusters and low-budget, scrappy productions.

Adapting to the New Reality

Despite the doom and gloom, the demand for high-quality visual content is stronger than ever—just not in the traditional places. The future belongs to those who can pivot:

High-End Specialists: Those who break into the world of big-budget productions for streamers and studios.
Nimble Creators: Filmmakers who can deliver top-tier work with small teams and modest budgets, often for commercial clients or digital platforms.

Case Study: Thriving Outside the Middle

One professional filmmaker recounts how, after years of working on high-profile documentaries for Netflix and HBO, he shifted focus to smaller, more agile projects for commercial clients like Coinbase. Despite smaller crews and less gear, these jobs proved more profitable than many traditional gigs, demonstrating that adaptability and reputation can open new doors—even in a shrinking market.

The Path Forward: Practical Advice

Embrace Change: The industry will not return to its old ways. Flexibility and a willingness to pivot are essential.
Build a Reputation: High-end skills and a strong portfolio can attract both premium and commercial clients.
Leverage New Opportunities: Online education, branded content, and direct-to-consumer platforms offer alternative paths to success.

Conclusion

The dream of professional filmmaking isn’t dead—but it has evolved. The middle ground may be disappearing, but opportunities abound for those willing to adapt, learn new skills, and straddle both the high and low ends of the market. The industry’s future belongs to the flexible, the creative, and the entrepreneurial.

Entertainment

Tyler Perry Hit with Sexual Harassment Allegations in $260 Million Lawsuit

Published

18 hours ago

June 18, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

Overview

Tyler Perry, the acclaimed filmmaker and media mogul, is facing a $260 million lawsuit filed by actor Derek Dixon, who appeared in Perry’s BET series “The Oval” and “Ruthless“. The lawsuit, filed in June 2025 in Los Angeles County Superior Court, alleges a pattern of sexual harassment, assault, and professional retaliation spanning several years.

Key Allegations

Plaintiff: Derek Dixon, actor on “The Oval” and “Ruthless”.
Defendant: Tyler Perry.
Claims: Sexual harassment, sexual assault, hostile work environment, quid pro quo harassment, and retaliation.
Damages Sought: $260 million in punitive damages.
Timeline: Alleged incidents occurred from 2019 through 2024.

Details from the Lawsuit

Dixon alleges Perry used his influence to create a coercive and sexually exploitative environment, promising career advancement in exchange for sexual favors.
The complaint describes multiple incidents, including unwanted advances, inappropriate messages, and alleged assaults at Perry’s home and on his private island .
Dixon claims he endured harassment out of fear for his job security and that Perry retaliated when advances were rejected, including threats to write his character off the show.
The lawsuit includes references to text messages and specific episodes where Dixon’s character was shot, allegedly as a form of retaliation .

Perry’s Response

Tyler Perry has denied all allegations, with his attorney calling the lawsuit a “scam” and “fabricated claims” designed to extort money.
Perry’s legal team asserts that the claims are baseless and that they are confident the lawsuit will be dismissed.

Timeline of Key Events

Year	Event Description
2019	Dixon meets Perry at a studio event; receives acting opportunity
2020	Alleged first assault at Perry’s home in Georgia
2021	Further alleged incidents, including at Perry’s private island
2023	Dixon moves to California, claims continued harassment and promises of a show
2024	Dixon files complaint with the EEOC and resigns from “The Oval”
June 2025	Lawsuit filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court

Media Coverage

Perry’s attorney has consistently denied the allegations in public statements, emphasizing their intent to fight the claims in court.

Summary

Tyler Perry is currently embroiled in a high-profile legal battle over allegations of sexual harassment and assault brought by actor Derek Dixon. The case centers on claims of abuse of power, coercion, and retaliation, with Perry strongly denying all accusations and vowing to contest the lawsuit vigorously.

Entertainment

Is the Film Industry Dying? The Truth About Filmmaking in 2025

Published

1 day ago

June 18, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

Bolanle Media Press Room

The film industry stands at a crossroads in 2025, facing rapid technological changes, economic uncertainty, and evolving audience habits. While some professionals fear for the future, others see opportunity in the turbulence. Bolanle Media Press Room explores the reality behind the headlines, drawing on candid conversations with working filmmakers, directors, and crew members.

The State of the Industry

Unpredictable Work and Shrinking Budgets

Industry professionals report a landscape marked by inconsistency1. Many crew members and directors experience long periods without work, followed by intense bursts of activity. Budgets have tightened, leading to more unpaid hours and increased pressure on freelancers and production companies.

Survey data: 78% of UK-based long-form directors say their income is unstable, working on average just 27 weeks per year. Over half report working 60-hour weeks or more, often with no corresponding increase in pay.
Freelancer experience: The pandemic boom led to a surplus of crew, but as demand normalized, many found themselves surplus to requirements, with work becoming “consistently inconsistent”.

The Impact of Technology and Social Media

The rise of AI and social media has fundamentally changed how films and advertising content are produced and consumed. Brands now often opt for influencer-driven campaigns over traditional big-budget productions, shifting opportunities and budgets away from established production pipelines.

Social media as a storefront: Many filmmakers report that their biggest projects now come through platforms like Instagram, with viral content leading to unexpected job offers.
Changing advertising: Companies are increasingly turning to user-generated content and influencer marketing, which requires fewer resources and less traditional crew.

Adaptation and Opportunity

Diversification is Key

Those thriving in the current climate are often those who have diversified their skills and roles1. The advice to “niche down” is less relevant, as industry professionals find success by working across multiple sectors and job functions.

Multi-hyphenate professionals: Many successful filmmakers now direct, produce, edit, and even run their own production companies, adapting to whatever opportunities arise.
Continuous outreach: Early-career professionals spend significant time each day networking and reaching out to potential clients, often landing work through persistence and visibility.

The Role of Passion and Resilience

Despite the challenges, many in the industry remain optimistic. Passion for storytelling and adaptability are cited as crucial for survival and success.

Emotional resilience: The unpredictability of freelance work is emotionally taxing, but professionals stress the importance of staying flexible and remembering why they entered the industry in the first place.
No single path: There is no longer a guaranteed progression or perfect plan. The industry rewards those who are willing to evolve, learn new tools, and build strong relationships.

Conclusion

The film industry is not dying—it is transforming. While shrinking budgets, new technologies, and changing workflows create discomfort and unpredictability, they also bring new opportunities for those willing to adapt. The need for compelling stories and passionate storytellers remains unchanged, ensuring a future for those who embrace change and stay curious.

For more insights and interviews with industry professionals, follow Bolanle Media Press Room for the latest updates on the evolving world of filmmaking.