It started with a double date that basically broke the internet. You remember the photos: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce strolling through New York City, followed closely by the ultimate Hollywood power couple, Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively. It felt like the birth of a new "super-squad." A mashup of NFL grit and A-list charm that seemed too perfect to fail.
But lately? Things have gotten weird.
If you've been scrolling through social media, you might have noticed the "unfollow" heard 'round the world. In early 2025, eagle-eyed fans spotted that Travis Kelce no longer follows Ryan Reynolds on Instagram. In the world of celebrity optics, that’s basically a declaration of war—or at least a very loud "we’re not cool anymore."
The Business Connection Most People Miss
People think this is just about who sits in which VIP suite at the Super Bowl, but the Ryan Reynolds Travis Kelce connection actually goes way deeper into the boardroom. They aren't just "guy friends" who grab a beer. They’re business associates.
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Back in late 2023, Travis Kelce joined an investor group—which included Patrick Mahomes and Rory McIlroy—to put money into the Alpine Formula 1 team. Guess who was already there? Ryan Reynolds and his Wrexham partner Rob McElhenney. They are quite literally partners in a multi-million dollar racing venture.
Then there's the Mint Mobile stuff. Ryan, being the marketing genius he is, actually recorded a hilarious voice message for the New Heights podcast. He poked fun at the "crossover appeal" of football fans and Swifties. Travis and Jason Kelce were losing it laughing on air. Honestly, it seemed like Ryan was the big brother Travis never knew he wanted in Hollywood.
The "It Ends With Us" Fallout
So, where did it go sideways? Most insiders point to the chaotic legal mess surrounding Blake Lively’s film, It Ends With Us.
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As the drama between Blake and director Justin Baldoni escalated into a $400 million defamation suit, names started getting dropped in legal filings. Suddenly, Taylor Swift was mentioned in leaked texts. There were rumors of subpoenas.
For a guy like Travis, who prides himself on being "low drama" and "Midwestern grounded," this Hollywood circus was a lot. Sources close to the Chiefs tight end have whispered that he started to feel Ryan’s persona was "more Hollywood than human." Basically, the vibe check failed. While Ryan is known for being "on" 24/7 with the quips and the marketing plays, Travis reportedly prefers a circle that’s a bit more authentic and a lot less curated.
Why the Ryan Reynolds Travis Kelce "Feud" Matters
Is it a "feud"? That’s a strong word. It’s more of a calculated distancing.
When Ryan was asked about the unfollowing incident at Green Day’s Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in May 2025, he did the most Ryan Reynolds thing possible: he ignored it. He kept signing autographs and asked the crowd, "Whose pen is this?" total deflection.
- The PR Angle: Taylor Swift is a master of the "quiet exit." Having her boyfriend unfollow someone is a loud signal without her having to say a single word.
- The Legal Shield: Staying away from the Lively-Reynolds camp right now is just smart business while the Baldoni lawsuit moves toward a 2026 trial.
- Lifestyle Clash: You’ve got a guy who spends his off-season in Cleveland and Kansas City vs. a guy who lives and breathes brand building in Manhattan and London.
What This Means for the Future
Don't expect a public apology or a "we're all good" selfie anytime soon. The Ryan Reynolds Travis Kelce friendship is currently on ice. While they still share investments in Alpine F1 and apparel companies like Homage, their social lives have diverged.
If you're tracking this for your own "squad goals," the takeaway is simple: even the most powerful friendships can't always survive a legal firestorm or a fundamental clash in values.
Actionable Insights for Following the Drama:
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- Watch the Alpine F1 Paddock: See if they appear at the same races in 2026. If they’re in the same garage but don't speak, the rift is permanent.
- Monitor "New Heights" Sponsors: If Mint Mobile quietly disappears as a podcast sponsor, you'll know the business ties have been severed along with the personal ones.
- Check the 2026 Trial Lists: If Taylor Swift or Travis are actually called to testify in the Baldoni vs. Lively case, expect the social media silence to turn into a full-blown frost.
The "foursome" we saw in 2024 might be a relic of the past, but in Hollywood, today's "unfollow" is often tomorrow's "rebranding." For now, Travis is sticking to the gridiron, and Ryan is sticking to the script.