Taylor Swift shouts out Travis Kelce at iHeartRadio Music Awards, saying he makes her feel ‘happy and confident and free’

Music

Taylor Swift gave her fiancé, Travis Kelce, a special shout-out while accepting the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Award for pop album of the year.

After her most recent album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” was called out as the winner, the singer quickly turned to her partner to kiss him before sharing a few hugs with those around her.

During her acceptance speech, she noted the album came out “with this energy of just feeling really happy and strong and confident and free. And so I want to say thank you to the fans for giving me that feeling.”

“I think that this album probably also feels very happy and confident and free because that’s the way that I get to feel every single day of my life because of my fiancé, who’s here tonight,” Swift added, while on stage at Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre.

music Taylor Swift accepts the Pop Album of the Year award.

Taylor Swift made her awards-show debut with fiancé Travis Kelce on Thursday at the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards. Getty Images for iHeartRadio

music Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce kissing at the iHeartRadio Music Awards.

She had special callout just for him when she accepted the award for pop album of the year. They’re pictured at the Los Angeles event above. John Salangsang/Shutterstock

The Kansas City Chiefs tight end enthusiastically clapped for Swift, giving her a big smile.

The couple had another swoon-worthy interaction during RAYE’s performance of her hit, “Where Is My Husband,” as the camera cut to them dancing in the audience.

Swift happily pumped her arms as RAYE sang the chorus with the lyrics, “Baby, where the hell is my husband?/What is taking him so long to find me?”

music Taylor Swift accepts the Pop Album of the Year award.

She noted that her album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” feels “very happy and confident and free because that’s the way that I get to feel every single day of my life because of my fiancé.” Getty Images

music Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce attending the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards.

Swift was this year’s most nominated artist with nine total nods. She won seven. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for iHeartRadio

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Swift was this year’s most nominated artist with nine total nods, including artist of the year, pop artist of the year, favorite tour style (for the Eras Tour) and song of the year for “The Fate of Ophelia.”

She ultimately walked away with seven wins, including the artist of the year title, pop album of the year, pop song of the year, best lyrics and best music video.

Despite not walking the red carpet together, this is the first time Kelce has accompanied Swift to an award show.

music Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift at the iHeartRadio Music Awards.

Swift and Kelce, both 36, announced their engagement in summer of 2025 after two years of dating. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for iHeartRadio

music Taylor Swift smiling and holding the Pop Album of the Year award at the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards.

Swift has not attended the iHeartRadio Music Awards in person since 2023. Getty Images for iHeartRadio

At the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards, the songwriter also received the most nominations and took home the tour of the century accolade for her record-breaking Eras Tour, but didn’t attend that show.

Instead, she appeared in a pre-recorded video message to accept the honor.

Swift has, in fact, not attended the iHeartRadio Music Awards in person since 2023 when she was honored with the prestigious Innovator Award.

Swift and Kelce, both 36, announced their engagement in August 2025 after two years of dating.

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