Travis Kelce has hit the unfollow button — and fans are reading between the lines.
The Kansas City Chiefs tight end, 35, appears to be distancing himself from the growing controversy surrounding It Ends With Us actress Blake Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, by unfollowing Reynolds on Instagram.
The move raised eyebrows over the weekend, fueling speculation that Kelce is trying to avoid being dragged into the couple’s deepening legal scandal involving actor-director Justin Baldoni.
Insiders suggest that while Kelce’s decision may not signal a total end to his friendship with Reynolds, it could be a strategic effort to avoid the “downward publicity spiral” tied to the lawsuit — which has already ensnared multiple A-listers, including his girlfriend, Taylor Swift.
The blockbuster $400 million defamation lawsuit, filed in January by Baldoni, stems from allegations made by Lively that Baldoni sexually harassed her during production of It Ends With Us, filmed last year. The case is now set to go to trial in 2026.
Swift caught in the crossfire
Sources say Swift, 35, was blindsided earlier this year when her name surfaced in legal filings, allegedly being used as leverage in the case. Back in February, the pop icon reportedly felt like a “pawn” in the feud and began taking steps to remove herself from the situation.
According to insiders, she asked for “space” from Lively — once considered one of her closest friends — after being unexpectedly pulled into the drama.
Lively has since apologized to Swift for the fallout, but the damage may already be done. Swift’s reps have not publicly commented, but multiple sources say she’s “enjoying some alone time with Travis and being under the radar for a little bit.”
Her involvement in the case may not be over yet. The Daily Mail recently reported that both Swift and Reynolds’ longtime best friend Hugh Jackman could soon be subpoenaed by Baldoni’s attorneys. Even Baldoni’s lead attorney, Bryan Freedman, hinted at the uncertainty: “I don’t know that we’re going to depose Taylor Swift. I think that that’s going to be probably a game time decision.”
From double dates to deleted follows
Swift and Kelce — who began dating in the summer of 2023 — were once regulars at double dates with Reynolds and Lively. The Green Lantern co-stars were even spotted cheering Kelce on at Chiefs games, often from the sidelines.
But now, things have taken a noticeable turn. What once looked like a cozy celebrity friendship may be unraveling under legal pressure and behind-the-scenes tension. Kelce’s unfollow of Reynolds — subtle as it may seem — could mark a quiet break in what was once a tight-knit foursome.
Whether the NFL star is simply steering clear of the headlines or making a definitive statement about his inner circle, one thing is clear: in the world of celebrity politics, an unfollow speaks volumes.
