Taylor Swift Gushes About Travis Kelce and Urges Fans to Vote in Her Video of the Year Speech

Fresh off her endorsement of Kamala Harris for president, Taylor Swift used her final, history-making VMAs speech for Video of the Year to drive home the importance of registering to vote. She also slipped in a tribute to her boyfriend, Travis Kelce.

She shared that he was on set when she and Post Malone filmed “Fortnight,” which won the VMA: “Something that I’ll always remember is that when I would finish a take, and I’d say, ‘Cut,’ and we’d be done with that take, I would always just hear someone like cheering and like [going], ‘Whoo!’ from across the studio where we were shooting it, and that one person was my boyfriend, Travis. Everything this man touches turns to happiness and fun and magic. So I want to thank him for adding that to our shoot, because I’ll always remember that.”

Swift wove her voting message into the end of her speech, saying, “This is a fan-voted award, and you voted for this, and I appreciate it so much. And if you are over 18, please register to vote for something else that’s very important: our presidential election.”

Read Swift’s full speech below:

Thank you. Directing this video and putting it together and writing it was the most wonderful experience. And that is because of all the people that I got to make it with, and that includes Ethan Hawke and Josh Charles who were amazing cameos.

That includes my amazing cinematographer/DP Rodrigo Prieto, who goes out of his way to work with female directors, and he’s a genius, and I can’t believe I got to work with him as well as Ethan Tobman, my amazing production designer who I’ve worked with on the Eras Tour. Post Malone who we love so much. And you know, the thing is that this video seems very sad when you watch it, but it actually was like the most fun video to make.

And something that I’ll always remember is that when I would finish a take, and I’d say, “Cut,” and we’d be done with that take, I would always just hear like someone like cheering and like [going], “Whoo!” from across the studio where we were shooting it, and that one person was my boyfriend, Travis. Everything this man touches turns to happiness and fun and magic. So I want to thank him for adding that to our shoot, because I’ll always remember that.

And to the fans, I’m always trying to figure out a way to say thank you to you for making my life what it is, for making the Eras Tour what it has become, for making The Tortured Poets Department what it has become. That’s all you guys for doing that and for voting for this award. So thank you to MTV for giving me this opportunity to thank the fans, so thank you for what you’ve done. And the fact that this is a fan-voted award, and you voted for this, I appreciate it so much. And if you are over 18, please register to vote for something else that’s very important: our presidential election. I love you guys so, so much. Thank you for this moment.

Swift’s remarks come after she advised everyone, especially first-time voters, to check their registration. “Remember that in order to vote, you have to be registered!” she wrote on Instagram this week. “I also find it’s much easier to vote early. I’ll link where to register and find early voting dates and info in my story.” Swift linked out to vote.gov, where you can register and view a voting guide.

The singer was up for 12 VMAs this evening and made history as the first artist to win Video of the Year three years in a row.

But her biggest news of the week was her endorsement post last night. Read her message in full below:

Like many of you, I watched the debate tonight. If you haven’t already, now is a great time to do your research on the issues at hand and the stances these candidates take on the topics that matter to you the most. As a voter, I make sure to watch and read everything I can about their proposed policies and plans for this country.

Recently I was made aware that AI of ‘me’ falsely endorsing Donald Trump’s presidential run was posted to his site. It really conjured up my fears around AI, and the dangers of spreading misinformation. It brought me to the conclusion that I need to be very transparent about my actual plans for this election as a voter. The simplest way to combat misinformation is with the truth.

I will be casting my vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 Presidential Election. I’m voting for @kamalaharris because she fights for the rights and causes I believe need a warrior to champion them. I think she is a steady-handed, gifted leader and I believe we can accomplish so much more in this country if we are led by calm and not chaos. I was so heartened and impressed by her selection of running mate @timwalz, who has been standing up for LGBTQ+ rights, IVF, and a woman’s right to her own body for decades.

I’ve done my research, and I’ve made my choice. Your research is all yours to do, and the choice is yours to make. I also want to say, especially to first time voters: Remember that in order to vote, you have to be registered! I also find it’s much easier to vote early. I’ll link where to register and find early voting dates and info in my story.

With love and hope,

Taylor Swift
Childless Cat Lady

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Alyssa Bailey is the senior news and strategy editor at ELLE.com, where she oversees coverage of celebrities and royals (particularly Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton). She previously held positions at InStyle and Cosmopolitan. When she’s not working, she loves running around Central Park, making people take #ootd pics of her, and exploring New York City.

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