Donna Kelce, mother of Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce and former NFL player Jason Kelce, has been in the spotlight as her sons continue to dominate headlines. Recently, she shared her thoughts on Taylor Swift’s much-anticipated appearance on the New Heights podcast, co-hosted by Travis and Jason. Taylor Swift joined the show on August 13, 2025, in what quickly became one of its most talked-about episodes to date.
The episode proved to be a landmark moment, as Taylor Swift appeared alongside her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, and his brother Jason, opening up about both personal and professional aspects of her life. Fans were quick to respond, and the podcast shattered its previous viewership record, surpassing even the popular episode featuring Jason’s wife, Kylie Kelce. Speaking at the premiere of ESPN’s The Kingdom docuseries on August 24, Donna Kelce weighed in on Swift’s appearance. She shared her perspective on the singer, reflected on what made the episode stand out, and explained why she believes fans connected with it so strongly.
Donna Kelce’s thoughts on Taylor Swift’s podcast appearance

Donna Kelce confirmed that she tuned in to the New Heights episode featuring Taylor Swift. She explained that it was a special one to watch because of how open the conversation was.
“I did watch the podcast … and I think it was just really, really eventful,” Donna said while speaking to PEOPLE.
Donna Kelce went on to describe the atmosphere of the episode.
“It was authentic. It was just something I think everybody was thrilled to see, and it was a very loving podcast,” she explained.
Her comments suggested that she appreciated how the couple naturally shared their bond without forcing anything for the cameras.
Donna Kelce also highlighted how fans connected with the discussion. Swift revealed the album art for her upcoming twelfth studio album, The Life of a Showgirl, kissed Travis during the episode, and shared her personal interest in baking sourdough bread. She also became emotional when reflecting on regaining the rights to her music.
Read More: Selena Gomez spotted in Cabo with friends, fuels bachelorette party rumors
The impact of Taylor Swift on the New Heights podcast
Taylor Swift’s appearance gave a major boost to the New Heights podcast, making it the most-watched episode in the show’s history with over 20 million views. The milestone surpassed the previous record, which had been set by Kylie Kelce’s episode.
Travis and Jason are the sons of Ed Kelce, who also gave his views on the episode. He referred to it as a powerful scene that manifested the relationship of the couple.
“Oh, it was good. It was awesome. … They’re two people obviously very much in love,” he told PEOPLE.
His comments supported Donna’s view that the episode reflected something real and important.
Beyond the podcast, Taylor Swift is also connected to the Chiefs community. Kristen Lappas, the director of The Kingdom docuseries, said Swift was “very supportive” of the project and approved all of her images and likeness used in it. Chiefs executive Lara Krug also noted that Swift is shown “as a fan of the community,” which fits with how she has been seen at games and events.
Read More: Comedian Reggie Carroll dies at 52 following Southaven shooting, suspect charged with murder
Donna Kelce’s remarks on Taylor Swift’s New Heights episode show how much the family values authenticity and connection. For her, it was a chance to see her son and his partner share a meaningful conversation in front of millions of fans. She described it as “authentic” and “loving,” words that reflect how the episode resonated with her as both a mother and a fan of the podcast.