Taylor Swift skips the Emmys for Arrowhead, cheering on hubby Travis Kelce alongside Tom Cruise

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Pop superstar Taylor Swift was back at Arrowhead Stadium on Monday night, and sitting alongside Tom Cruise, to watch new husband Travis Kelce and his Kansas City Chiefs open the NFL season against the Denver Broncos.

It was the first time Swift has seen Kelce play since they were married over the summer.

The 14-time Grammy Award winner decided to skip the Emmy Awards in Los Angeles, though it wasn't necessarily a big surprise. Even though “The Eras Tour: The Final Show” was nominated for outstanding variety special (pre-recorded), the category winner already was announced at the Creative Arts Emmys earlier this month, with “The Muppet Show” taking top honors.

The Emmys had fun with the possibility of Swift's attendance, airing a recorded bit where the “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” cast, led by host Mariska Hargitay, is trying to figure out whether she will be there. Swift herself appears at the end, though not as herself.

“Maybe she’ll do one those cool, pre-taped sketch things to support the host,” Swift's character says.

Rather than spend the evening at the Peacock Theater, Swift was in the theater that first brought her and Kelce together.

Their romance began after she performed at Arrowhead Stadium, and Kelce tried and failed to deliver her a friendship bracelet as a fan. Kelce took to social media to invite her to watch him play, Swift took him up on the offer for a 2023 game against the Bears, and their relationship blossomed from there, ultimately leading up to their star-studded wedding on July 3 at Madison Square Garden.

Adam Sandler served as the surprise officiant that night, while Stevie Nicks performed to a crowd of sports and entertainment icons, including actors Bradley Cooper, Zoë Kravitz, Hugh Grant and Ethan Hawke; models Gigi Hadid and Karlie Kloss; comic Chris Rock; film director Steven Spielberg; and plenty of NFL players, including retired quarterback Tom Brady and several of Kelce’s teammates.

“The ceremony was gorgeous,” Kelce's brother and retired Eagles center Jason Kelce said on ESPN's pregame show. “They did such an incredible job, Adam Sandler officiated it in a very Adam Sandler, beautiful way. From then on, it was a party.”

It has been a busy summer for the newlyweds, even though Swift is not on tour. Kelce has been building his business portfolio, which includes his decision to buy a small share of David Blitzer’s stake in his hometown Cleveland Guardians.

Some thought Kelce might retire after last season, when the Chiefs struggled to a 6-11 finish and his good friend and quarterback Patrick Mahomes tore ligaments in his left knee. Instead, he decided to return for a 14th season, and Mahomes rehabbed in time to be on the field against the Broncos as the Chiefs try to rebound from their first losing season since 2012.

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce looks on prior to an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Taylor Swift, center, reacts while watching the first half of an NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Denver Broncos, Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Taylor Swift, left, sits with Tom Cruise, center, while watching the first half of an NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Denver Broncos, Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Host Mariska Hargitay left, and Taylor Swift in a "Law and Order: SVU" skit during the 78th Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Taylor Swift, left, sits with Tom Cruise, center, while watching the first half of an NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Denver Broncos, Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jean Smart of “Hacks” keeps stacking the wins. She won her fifth straight Emmy for lead actress in a comedy series at Monday night's Emmy Awards.

It’s her eighth trophy overall, which ties the all-time performer record shared by Cloris Leachman and Julia Louis-Dreyfus — and on Monday Allison Janney joined the group too. Smart became the first woman to win best actress for each season of a show’s run.

Kate O’Flynn won the first award of the night. Her win comes for best supporting actress in a comedy for “Widow’s Bay.”

Nineteen awards are being handed out Monday at the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles. Last weekend, dozens of Emmy winners were announced, including host Mariska Hargitay winning two trophies.

Here's a list of winners so far at the 78th annual Primetime Emmy Awards.

Jean Smart, “Hacks”

Noah Wyle, “The Pitt”

Rhea Seehorn, “Pluribus”

Matthew Rhys, “The Beast in Me”

Tom Pelphrey, “Task”

Allison Janney, “The Diplomat”

Stephen Root, “Widow’s Bay”

Kate O’Flynn, “Widow’s Bay”

“The Traitors”

For more coverage of the Emmy Awards, visit: https://apnews.com/hub/emmy-awards

Matthew Rhys accepts the award for outstanding lead actor in a limited or anthology series or movie for "The Beast In Me" during the 78th Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Sofia Vergara, left, presents the award for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series to Stephen Root, right, for "Widow's Bay" during the 78th Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Kate O'Flynn poses in the press room with the award for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series for "Widow's Bay" during the 78th Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at the JW Marriott in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Jean Smart poses in the press room with the award for outstanding lead actress in a comedy series for "Hacks"during the 78th Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at the JW Marriott in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)