Why Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce decided to skip the 2025 MTV VMAs amid career transitions and personal downtime

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce surprised many fans by choosing not to attend the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) held in Elmont, New York. Despite being one of the biggest names in the entertainment industry, Swift opted out of the high-profile event this year, which featured her only nomination for Artist of the Year.

E! News confirmed Swift’s absence as the star focused on other priorities.

Taylor Swift focuses on personal time after Eras Tour

Since wrapping up her monumental Eras Tour in December 2024, Taylor Swift has been enjoying a more relaxed lifestyle. In a recent appearance on Travis Kelce’s podcast, New Heights, she revealed how she is rediscovering personal hobbies that were long neglected during her touring years.

“It’s great because I’m getting my hobbies back,” Swift said, adding, “When I was on tour, all I had the bandwidth for was, ‘What’s the acoustic mashup this week? How do I say welcome to the Eras Tour in Portuguese?’ That was the only thing taking up my brain space.”Swift’s candid comments reflect her shift toward embracing simple pleasures, such as sewing, baking, and painting. She shared, “I love to paint. I love to cook. I have a different baking obsession every six months.” Currently, sourdough bread has taken over her life, a far cry from stadium stages and global tours.

Travis Kelce’s busy football schedule keeps him away

Travis Kelce, her fiancé and star tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, also missed the VMAs as the NFL season kicked off.

The Chiefs recently faced the Los Angeles Chargers in São Paulo, Brazil, on September 5, which left little time for Kelce to attend entertainment events. During the podcast, Kelce offered a peek into their life together, teasing, “It’s been so fun to see what Taylor actually gets into around the house.

”Also Read: “She has no choice”: Taylor Swift set to sever all ties with Blake Lively permanently amid her fairytale wedding with Travis KelceWhile the spotlight typically follows both Swift and Kelce, this period marks a rare moment of privacy and personal growth for the couple. Fans can expect an even bigger return next year when Swift’s eagerly awaited album, The Life of a Showgirl, drops on October 3, making her eligible for multiple awards in the next cycle. For now, Taylor and Travis are content focusing on life away from the red carpet.