If you’ve spent more than five minutes on the "Swiftie" side of the internet lately, you know that no detail is too small to be a massive Easter egg. We're talking about a fan base that counts the number of fence pickets in an Instagram post. So, when a certain taylor swift bear costume rumor started circulating around the release of Happy Gilmore 2, it didn't just walk—it sprinted across TikTok and X.
The idea was simple. Travis Kelce, Taylor’s boyfriend and Kansas City Chiefs tight end, has a cameo in the Netflix sequel. In one bizarre, dream-like sequence, he’s shirtless, tied to a pole, and smeared with honey. Suddenly, a bear wanders in to lick him.
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Naturally, the internet decided that the person inside that bear suit had to be Taylor Swift.
It makes a weird kind of sense if you don't think about it too hard. Taylor loves a costume. She’s famously worn a giant squirrel outfit for Halloween and dressed as a pegacorn. Plus, she’s known for supporting Travis in the most "extra" ways possible. But what's the actual truth behind the fur?
The "New Heights" Debunking: Straight From the Source
Taylor finally addressed the madness during a surprise appearance on the New Heights podcast with Travis and Jason Kelce. Honestly, her reaction was probably the most "relatable celebrity" moment of the year. She laughed off the theory, but she didn't just say "no." She explained the weird reality of being in a relationship where people think you're moonlighting as a forest animal.
"I can deny," Swift said, cracking up. "This is one of those ones where we'll send it to each other and be like, 'Hey, did you hear I was the bear in there?'"
She basically admitted that they’ve reached a level of fame where the rumors are so absurd they just become internal jokes. Travis chimed in, joking that people also thought they bought a house in Lake Como (they didn't).
Who was actually in the suit?
If it wasn't Taylor, who was it? The credit actually goes to a stunt performer named Brandon Alan Smith. He’s the one who had to do the "exquisite" bear acting, as Taylor put it. She even went out of her way to praise his performance, calling it "exquisite" and noting that she watched the movie multiple times.
So, no. Taylor Swift didn't spend a day on a film set in a heavy mascot outfit licking honey off her boyfriend.
Why the Taylor Swift Bear Costume Theory Stuck
Why did we all believe it for a second? It’s not just because fans are "delulu." There’s a long history of Taylor using costumes to hide in plain sight or make a point.
- The "Shake It Off" Legacy: Remember the 2014 video? She tried on a dozen different personas. She wasn't a bear then, but she was a cheerleader, a ballerina, and a finger-tutting enthusiast. The "costume" is part of her brand.
- The Workaholics Connection: There's an old photo of Taylor wearing the iconic bear coat from the show Workaholics. It’s a niche reference, but for long-time fans, seeing "Taylor Swift" and "Bear" in the same sentence feels like a callback to her more indie, Tumblr-era humor.
- The Mascot Vibe: On the Eras Tour, there’s a heavy emphasis on theatricality. While she doesn't wear a bear suit on stage, her dancers often wear massive, elaborate pieces—like the "Lover" era's oversized fans or the "Willow" capes. Fans are primed to look for her under masks.
What Most People Get Wrong About Celebrity Cameos
The thing about a taylor swift bear costume is that it’s actually a logistical nightmare. If Taylor Swift shows up on a film set, even in a bear suit, the insurance alone changes. The security requirements triple.
Adam Sandler, who directed and starred in Happy Gilmore 2, is known for casting his friends and family. Travis got the nod because he’s a genuine fan and has that "Sandler-verse" energy. But putting the biggest pop star on the planet in a suit where nobody can see her face? It’s a lot of work for a gag that she eventually had to debunk anyway.
That said, she did give the movie a "13/10" rating on her Instagram story. She clearly loved the bit, even if she wasn't the one under the fur.
Where to Actually See Taylor's Real Costumes
If you're disappointed that she wasn't the bear, you can still see the high-effort outfits she actually wore.
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- Disney’s Hollywood Studios: They recently opened an "Eras Tour" costume exhibit at Walt Disney Presents. You can see the Roberto Cavalli "Reputation" jumpsuit (the one with the gold snakes) and the Vivienne Westwood "TTPD" dress.
- The Eras Tour Film: If you can’t get to Florida, the film on Disney+ is the best way to see the detail on the "Midnights" bodysuit. No bears, but plenty of sequins.
Actionable Insights for the "Easter Egg" Hunter
If you're still looking for Taylor's next move, stop looking for bears and start looking at the calendar.
- Check the Credits: As we saw with Brandon Alan Smith, the credits don't lie. If you suspect a secret cameo, IMDb is your best friend before TikTok.
- Listen to New Heights: Travis and Jason’s podcast has become the unofficial "press release" center for Taylor-related clarifications. It’s where the most authentic info actually drops.
- Vary Your Sources: Don't rely on a single viral clip. The bear rumor gained steam because people shared a 5-second clip of a bear without checking the stunt credits.
The taylor swift bear costume might be a myth, but it’s a perfect example of how much we want her to be part of the joke. She’s a fan of the work, she’s a fan of her man, and honestly? She's probably just glad she didn't have to deal with the honey.
Next Steps for Swifties:
Check out the official credits for Happy Gilmore 2 on Netflix to see the full list of cameos you might have missed—there are plenty of real ones, including Eminem and Bad Bunny, that are just as wild as the bear rumor.