Taylor Swift Christmas movies/ Lifetime Christmas films/ Hallmark holiday movies 2024/ Chiefs-themed Christmas film/ Travis Kelce movie inspiration/ LOS ANGELES/ Newslooks/ Morning Edition/ This holiday season, Taylor Swift’s influence has reached Christmas TV movies. Lifetime’s “Christmas in the Spotlight” and Hallmark’s “Holiday Touchdown” take cues from Swift’s life and her connection with NFL star Travis Kelce. Both films feature romance, family traditions, and even nods to Swift’s devoted fanbase with Easter eggs and Chief-related cameos.
Christmas TV Movies: Quick Looks
- Taylor Swift Connection: Lifetime’s “Christmas in the Spotlight” loosely mirrors Swift and Kelce’s romance.
- Fan Easter Eggs: Swift references are sprinkled throughout for her fans to enjoy.
- Hallmark’s Chiefs Story: “Holiday Touchdown” celebrates Kansas City traditions and family sports bonds.
- Celebrity Cameos: Chiefs players and Donna Kelce appear in Hallmark’s film.
- On-Location Filming: Hallmark shot key scenes at Arrowhead Stadium for authenticity.
Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce Spark Holiday TV Movie Magic This Year
Deep Look
This year, Christmas TV movies are stepping into their “Taylor Swift era,” drawing inspiration from her life and relationships. Two highly anticipated films — “Christmas in the Spotlight” on Lifetime and “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story” on Hallmark — infuse a festive twist with hints of Taylor Swift’s iconic presence and her relationship with Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce.
Lifetime’s “Christmas in the Spotlight”
Premiering on Saturday, “Christmas in the Spotlight” tells the story of a pop superstar (Jessica Lord) who falls for a professional football player (Laith Wallschleger). Written by Eirene Tran Donohue, a self-proclaimed Swiftie, the film takes creative inspiration from Swift and Kelce’s high-profile relationship.
“I’m fascinated by the way Kelce supports Taylor and celebrates her achievements,” said Donohue, who layered the script with “Easter eggs” for Swift fans. She teased that viewers familiar with Swift’s work and persona will enjoy decoding these subtle nods throughout the movie.
Hallmark’s “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story”
On Nov. 30, Hallmark will debut “Holiday Touchdown,” a film centered around Kansas City traditions. While this movie doesn’t directly reference Swift, it highlights the Chiefs’ community spirit and familial bonds.
The plot follows a Chiefs employee (Tyler Hynes) as he finds romance with a woman (Hunter King) whose family’s passion for the team has been passed down for generations.
Julie Sherman Wolfe, the screenwriter, admitted the project was bittersweet. “I’m a die-hard San Francisco 49ers fan, and Hallmark reached out to me just a week after the Chiefs beat us in the Super Bowl,” she laughed. Despite her allegiances, Wolfe crafted a warm narrative reflecting the heart of Chiefs culture.
Behind the Scenes
The film includes cameos from Chiefs players and even a special appearance by Donna Kelce, who plays herself. Tyler Hynes, star of the movie, shared his excitement about working with her, saying, “I was starstruck by Mama Kelce!”
Filming at Arrowhead Stadium, including scenes on the iconic field, added authenticity. “It was one of the coolest experiences of my career,” said Hunter King, reflecting on the magic of bringing Chiefs traditions to life.