Travis Kelce tipped to become new Ryan Seacrest or Steve Harvey as Taylor Swift’s beau excels in new TV hosting role
KANSAS City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is ready to conquer the show business world, industry insiders believe.
The U.S. Sun understands the NFL star is getting rave reviews for his Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity? rehearsals — and TV bosses have seen enough to dub him the next Ryan Seacrest or Steve Harvey.
Kelce, 34, was announced as the host of the Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? spin-off in March.
Since then, the flamboyant Chiefs star and Taylor Swift's boyfriend amazed the project's executives with how natural he looks on the set.
A TV insider has told The U.S. Sun one of the biggest stories coming out of the 5th Grader reboot will be that Travis is an "awesome host" — one that could usurp the likes of Harvey, Seacrest, and Drew Carey.
"It turns out that all of his podcasting, plus the attention he's gained from his relationship with Taylor Swift, has proven to be the perfect training for this kind of job," the source said.
READ MORE ON THE NFL
"It's a shock how easygoing he is with the contestants, the audience, and the famous comedians who have come on the show for early tapings.
"He wants to get to know and totally win over everybody who comes into his space, and it doesn't feel fake, not for a second."
Kelce has already taped a few episodes of the show, which will stream on Amazon Prime Video.
The insider said that Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity? takes a "very fresh take" on the original 5th Grader format that lends itself to "a lot of light, spontaneous comedy."
Most read in American Football
And Travis has proven to be the perfect fit for the project's goofy nature with the three-time Super Bowl champ being open about his desire to work on shows that make people happy.
"He's already accomplishing that in spades and the executives on the project are already predicting it's going to be nothing short of a phenomenon," the source continued.
"Guys like Ryan Seacrest and Ken Jennings are going to be shocked at how easily Travis has transformed into the smoothest host in the game show business."
The U.S. Sun understands that Travis hasn't given up on acting and continues looking for the right opportunity to take on Hollywood.
But TV bosses are convinced he has the potential to make a career out of hosting so successful it could bring in money that could make his NFL and New Heights podcast earnings look like small potatoes.
As of now, Kelce doesn't pocket big bucks on Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity? though.
Travis Kelce the actor
NFL star Travis Kelce has apparently landed his first major acting role.
The Kansas City Chiefs tight end plans to become a "heavyweight" figure in music and entertainment.
Kelce has seen his star power rise after going public with his girlfriend Taylor Swift last summer.
The 34-year-old has now been cast in the new horror series Grotesquerie.
Directed by American Horror Story creator Ryan Murphy, the drama is set to land on FX this fall.
Kelce will appear in the show alongside Niecy Nash-Betts, Courtney B. Vance, and Lesley Manville.
On Tuesday, Nash-Betts appeared to confirm Kelce's involvement with a surprise Instagram reveal.
"This is what happens when WINNERS link up" she captioned a clip featuring Kelce in a backstage dressing room.
The Chiefs icon earns around $1.8 million per season, amounting to around $750,000 after taxes, The U.S. Sun reported in April.
His deal is for two years and includes an option for a third.
Travis is understood to have signed the contract before his relationship with Swift got serious, costing him quite a lot of money.
With the fame he's gained since then, he would likely bag much more money if the agreement was struck now.
"He could have commanded a lot more, but he doesn't care because he loves the show and is excited to host," a source told The U.S. Sun in April.
Read More on The US Sun
"It's filming in Los Angeles, so he'll be working out his schedule.
"He'll also be in Europe a lot this summer with Taylor and their families around the Eras tour dates but he's committed to the project."