Taylor Swift skips Travis Kelce’s Car Jam as she heads to Selena Gomez wedding

Taylor Swift did not attend Travis Kelce’s Car Jam charity event in Kansas City on Friday, choosing instead to travel to California for Selena Gomez’s wedding. The annual car exhibition is hosted by Kelce to raise money for children in Kansas City and Cleveland, typically staged in the days leading up to the Chiefs tight end’s birthday. Swift and Kelce, who publicly confirmed their romance in 2023, have rarely appeared together at the fundraiser since they began dating, and this year was no exception as she spent the weekend hundreds of miles away in California.

Car Jam is billed as a block-party style gathering featuring muscle cars and other high-end rides, with food, drinks, games and a community focus on kids’ charities. Kelce has described the event as a way to bring fans together and spotlight local causes, noting on his New Heights podcast that the show would return this year with a lineup of classic cars. He has previously described the event as a big community night, and last year’s edition drew notable attendance from Chiefs teammates and car enthusiasts alike. Swift’s absence at the inaugural Car Jam and at last year’s edition has become a familiar footnote in their relationship, though the couple has often celebrated moments separately when schedules collide.

Swift’s decision to skip this year’s gala comes as she navigates intense public attention and personal security concerns. In recent weeks she obtained a five-year restraining order against Brian Jason Wagner, 45, after prosecutors said he repeatedly appeared at her home and claimed paternity in May. The court documents obtained by TMZ require him to stay at least 100 yards away from Swift and prohibit any contact with her in person, by mail or digitally. The order underscores the ongoing fear surrounding Swift, which has at times limited her public appearances and left her private moments largely out of view.

The timing also places Swift in California as Gomez gears up for a wedding that has drawn widespread attention among the pop and entertainment communities. Gomez is set to marry Benny Blanco in Santa Barbara this weekend, a ceremony that will bring together close friends from across the entertainment world. Swift’s presence in California indicates she is prioritizing the celebration with a longtime friend during a weekend that has otherwise focused on Kelce’s charitable drive and the Chiefs’ upcoming schedule.

Meanwhile, Kelce’s camp has continued to push the Car Jam fundraiser as a high-energy event that supports children in need. The Chiefs are preparing for a Sunday matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at Arrowhead Stadium, a game that adds an extra layer of anticipation as fans adjust to Swift’s absence from the KC scene this week. Kelce, who turns 36 in nine days, appeared upbeat about his car show plans on the latest New Heights episode, previewing a lineup and inviting fans to participate in what he described as an “amazing block-party style event.”

Swift’s recent public appearances have been shaped by security considerations and the ongoing harassment concerns that culminated in the restraining order. As her personal life remains under intense scrutiny, she has balanced high-profile events with precautions that she has described as necessary for her safety. The contrast between her California weekend and Kelce’s Kansas City celebration underscores how both stars are navigating overlapping but separate commitments amid constant public interest. While it remains unclear whether any Chiefs players will appear at Friday’s Car Jam, organizers and attendees are keeping the focus on the charitable mission that has long defined the event, even as fan attention pivots toward the couple’s evolving dynamic and the entertainment calendar ahead.