Cyclone Taylor storms Emerald City but Down Under rendezvous a Chief concern?
With her run of four Sydney shows not kicking off for days, there are whispers the pop star will take a break with her lover, Kansas City star Travis Kelce.
Travel is a nightmare, especially with torrential rain, but arriving in Sydney on Monday, Taylor Swift was dressed like a daydream.
The pop star touched down in the drenched Emerald City proudly sporting a cap emblazoned with the word “champions” celebrating her boyfriend’s latest achievement – a Super Bowl win – despite just wrapping up the most successful leg of her Eras Tour in Melbourne, delighting more than 280,000 fans at the weekend with the Australian tour debut.
With her run of four Sydney shows not kicking off for a few days, there are whispers swirling that she is set to take a break Down Under with her lover, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.
Not so much whispers: Kelce himself on his podcast, New Heights, kicked off the rumours they will reunite in Australia, suggesting he will be venturing “to an island real soon” with the best ones being “south” of the US.
He added that the upcoming episode will be pre-recorded and he will not be joining co-host and brother Jason on the next show, further fuelling speculation he will travel to join Swift in the southern hemisphere this week before her road show commences its Asian era in Singapore.
Before hundreds and thousands of fans descend on Olympic Park to participate in the Olympics of pop culture, Swift and Kelce have many private holiday options at their disposal.
Tourism and Transport Forum chief executive – and newly minted “Swiftie” – Margy Osmond welcomed the news the superstars could take a break in Australia.
“What she has already contributed to the local economy, via domestic tourism and inbounds just wanting to see the show, is extraordinary with an estimated $450m impact. It’s already a massive love story for the tourism sector,” Ms Osmond told The Australian.
She said while Australia has had many high-profile couples decompress Down Under, such as Kourtney Kardashian and Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker, who patronised every iconic Sydney eatery in recent weeks, as well as Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom, who fell in love with Queensland, nothing compares to the these two “extraordinary figures”.
“Taylor is now in a league of her own, the warmth she has shown to Australia already in Melbourne is the kind of promotion you just can’t buy,” Ms Osmond said.
“The type of warmth Swift communicated to her audience speaks volumes, which was equally reciprocated by the crowds (and) just shows Australia is a destination to see and experience.”
Some countries and cities are hard to navigate for celebrities, not so in Australia.
Save for some keen photographers and citizen journalists, we simply don’t care enough to stalk the movements of stars around the clock.
“You would struggle to find a high-profile couple who would not feel comfortable here,” Ms Osmond.
“You just have to look at the huge stars who are based in Australia, like the Hemsworths. Chris and Liam walking barefoot down to the shops looking relaxed, well, those images are beamed around the world and show just how laid-back our towns and cities are.
“Right now, with their stars shining so bright, Australia would be a pretty attractive place for a duo like Taylor and her charming fella.”
As to where they may venture for some rest and relaxation, Ms Osmond said Queensland is always a good idea, especially if they’re seeking a beach to lie on.
“Some of those islands, like Daydream and Hamilton, are as beautiful as ever. But has Taylor or Travis had the chance to go out to Uluru – one of the most spiritually inspiration places on Earth? Or the truly fabulous Tasmania?,” she said
“If she wishes to tap back into her Folklore album era, my pick would be Tasmania.”
Will the star who now lives in the Big Apple, holiday on the Apple Isle? Questions from The Australian went unanswered so watch this (blank) space.
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