Where does Narnia even pick up from our previous post on the garish saga of Chiefs' tight end Travis Kelce and Shifty, aka Taylor Swift.
And while a quickly increasing audience has expressed weariness of the show, to the point of filter blocking their names from their social media, Narnia wanted to take a different angle and point out a trend amongst written media and fans that merits attention.
And that is the argument of whether their very-public "relationship" is PR or real. If it's not real, that makes it fake, right? Is a "PR" relationship the same as a fake relationship?
A PR relationship is one which generally benefits both parties, maybe to raise the profile of one or promote a flick/television show that they both star in. Can a celebrity relationship be anything other than for PR and not be real, aka fake? Of course. And what would be the underlying reason? Answer: that one or (more likely) both parties are members of the LGBTQ community.
The whole fauxmance really commenced on Sunday, September 24, at the Chiefs second home game againsst the Chicago Bears. Shifty appeared up in a suite, along with a crowd of hanger-on's, sponges, childhood friends, who knows who all was in there. They even sent the Kelce brothers' mom, Donna, to the suite for an "impromptu" and totally inorganic photo op.
Good lord. We at Narnia are having a recurrence of Olivia Wilde/Jeff Azoff post-nightmare syndrome just re-posting one of the videos, of which there were superfluous amounts.
And since the Bears game, it has been one rag story, one twitter trend, one podcast, one White House presser quote after another regarding "Travis and Shifty", and "are they or aren't they"? You surely don't need Narnia to point many of them out.
It should be noted with a "new couple" roll-out such as one with two stars of this magnitude (each in their own profession, although Travis had also already broken ground in the entertainment industry), that the media coverage is enabled by cooperative outlets as well as supplied quotes from compromised enablers. In this case, the range of enablers was wide spread. We had quotes, videos, and podcasts to last for weeks, with everyone throwing in their two cents and "thoughts".
What was mind-boggling was the feed at the post-game presser, which is normally reserved for game-related questions, i.e. players' performance, special teams, defensive play. Instead, we had Coach Andy Reid being asked about the side-show and (kiddingly) taking credit for "setting the two up, and quarterback Patrick Mahomes commenting how he had to make sure to get a TD pass to Travis for Shifty's sake.
And on CBS Sports, we even heard from JJ Watt, retired from the Arizona Cardinals, who had to "squeeze" in a mention of his beard, I mean wife:
You name them, we heard their thoughts. I mean, Rosie O'Donnell??? That merits a Just Jared post?
And not to mention all of the enabling of local sports talk radio station 610 Sports - AM, of which this writer is a frequent listener. As has been mentioned before, 610 is a "broadcasting partner" of the team, not to mention a member of their morning show being a Chiefs sideline reporter and one who travels with the team. People like him see things in the locker room, they know much more than they're allowed to talk about. So, to listen to all of the hosts' nonsense about the sideshow was quite head shaking.
The "spontaneous, by-chance" video by the son of Walter Payton, @paytonsun, (employee of the Chicago's WGN), who said he just happened to be at the right place at the right time to capture the video of Travis/Shifty exiting the stadium after the game...
And Travis just happens to be wearing a suit which has indirect ties to Shifty? Just Jared tells us so!
Travis was seen arriving to the Arrowhead Stadium (and also leaving with Taylor after the game), wearing a white denim ensemble that looked to be splattered with blue paint.
However, eagle eye Swifties dug deep and unearthed that the look was actually the “1989 Bedroom Painting” set from Kid Super.
There’s a direct connection to Taylor‘s 1989 album, which she announced as a re-release just a few months ago.
In fact, she actually just unveiled the full track list for it days ago.
Just Jared - "Travis Kelce Wore a Taylor Swift Inspired '1989' Suit to Chiefs Game", Sep 25, 2023I mean, do we look like this is our first day on earth?
Can we just pause for a moment in this teen romance fan fic that Shifty is recreating for her fans and take a look at where "Danny Zuko and Sandy" were supposed to have had their post-game date at after this ride onto Kansas City's grand highways?
Oh wait, wrong file! lol, here those two kids were, leaving Arrowhead, spotted by some fortunate person also in the right spot at the right time,
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| gotta love the glimpse of the "civilian's" car hood to add authenticity! |
Looks like Travis decided to forgo his usual chauffeur-driven ride this time. 😏 Not to mention, LOL!, are those road detour barriers that Travis and Shifty are headed for? Let's hope that Travis is making a right or a left. 😂
And then, there was the place where Travis was supposed to have taken her (we'll just ignore the likelihood that Travis probably dropped her off at the next corner in that sweet ride of his).
Helen's JAD Bar and Grill? In the KC Northland, where allegedly Travis is supposed to have formerly lived in Briarcliff West (10 min from Helen's JAD B&G) before he moved to his new digs??? 😶 🙈
But hold up! Looks like that was a false sighting? Because TMZ told us that the twosome were at a place called Prime Social on the Plaza. They should've stuck to the Helen's JAD Bar & Grill rumor, lol. Because this photo ranks right up there with a lot of Liam Payne and his beard's antics.
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| "Travis appears to be looking down" - TMZ |
😂 , "appears to be looking down".
And Travis is listed at 6'5". How can those be his legs? What is the mess going on down below with everyone's legs? There are extra shoes in there. Are there really that many people standing in one spot? Look at what is supposed to be Shifty's left leg in proportion to the rest of her body. Her foot/shoe shrank. Significantly.
Oh yes, sometimes you just have to keep zoomin'. I mean, what is going on...I can make out his shoe, but the alignment of the pants leg with the shoe is suspect.
Anyway, the photo brought back great memories to Narnia, of this 2009 on-set throwback of Jake and his beard, Reese Witherspoon. I'm thinking this is quite a classic likeness. Jakers, now that we re-look at this old sighting, Narnia wonders - were you really there? LOL!
What a roll-out. Narnia isn't going to get into all of it, to cover all the different, tabloidish headlines would take longer than anyone has time for. We've seen enough already and it is so apparent that this is quite the behemoth of a contract which involves at least three (3) parties: Travis, Shifty and the NFL, with Shifty and the NFL benefiting the most.
It's been confounding to see the number of different figures in the sports and entertainment industries weighing in on the showmance such as:
Kelly Clarkson, Kay Adams, Tony Gonzelez, professional beard Olivia Wilde, Reba McEntire, Drew Barrymore, National Security Council coordinator John Kirby and White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. Even former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and former prez, buffoon #45 Donald Trump offered their thoughts. And - Adele's "boyfriend"???
Not to mention the New Heights podcast being used to provide updates on the matter. Plus, there was Donna Kelce guest spotting on NBC's Today Show, even though she didn't exactly provide a ringing endorsement. Nonetheless...she was a guest.
Who didn't see the huge soiree held in a suite at the New York Jets game, complete with arrival videos and pics - Shifty and her posse which included actor Ryan Reynolds, his beard Blake Lively and newly-beardless (insert lightning bolt! 🗲) Hugh Jackman. Jackman was sponging because he and Reynolds have a big flick coming out next summer.
And Jake from State Farm was also at the game, sitting next to Donna Kelce, gathering their own attention.
And reluctantly, we mention too, that also hanging around was Jets attention-starved quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who chose this particular game to return, after tearing his Achilles tendon in the first regular game of the season, making sure to be where the cameras were, by chatting up both Patrick and Travis.
Publicist teams have been running on high-octane ever since the Bears game. It's way too early to tell how long the contract is for and what the end will be - is it a short contract? Or do Travis and Shifty's people have more long-term ideas?
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One thing we at Narnia have no doubt of - it's a showmance, fauxmance, whatever you want to call it. How do we know this? You have to watch for the signs.
• The power holder is Shifty. This is about her movie, her music, her huge fandom and the audience they bring, her impact on ratings. And when the contract is over, it will continue to be about her music and "poor Taylor" image as Travis will have to pay the piper and endure the "Jake Gyllenhaal, Harry Styles, and Joe Jonas" treatment.
• Even Travis' game arrival/travel wear is not up to him. Two outfits so far have been about Shifty. The blue/white leisure suit that he wore leaving Arrowhead at the Bears game, was designed to be a shout-out to Shifty's 1989 album. Oh yes, they think these things out wellllll ahead of time.
It's all supporting of Shifty and her upcoming re-release of album, 1989!
And then the brown crushed velvet pants for his Minnesota Vikings trip wear:
Her fans point out something about matching drapes in a video with Shifty....and then Travis, when asked about the pants (since when has he been asked about a specific travel ensemble??), says something about how "comfy" they are.
See what they do?
This is typical Shifty MO. She plants all of these "coincidental" occurrences and lyric drops, which her sleuthing fans and media are allowed to continue to speak out on, and then Shifty turns around in 2023 and says, "It's not my problem you imagine that I'm sending clues!"
Mind blowingly rich, isn't it? The prime definition of gaslighting. This is on her because the clues and "Easter Eggs" all point back to her music. Her lyrics. It starts with her camp and then everyone else falls in line and plays along. This includes her merkin at the time, the merkin's family members, friends, peers and media.
• This is how, over the years, Shifty has dragged out her fauxmances without fully committing to "are they or aren't they".
"Stop saying they're dating!"
Who travels back and forth from NYC to Kansas City to attend a ball game, get video'd leaving together after a game, sits and kisspers with the mom and dad in a suite, suddenly acts like besties with Patrick's "wife", and is photo'd trying to show how she and Travis hung out together after the Bears game?
Is that still "quietly hanging out™"? They are gaslighting you. This isn't Wonder Years and Shifty isn't Winnie Cooper and Travis isn't Kevin Arnold.
They're getting the het cred without having to act like a real couple.
Again - prime gaslighting.
UPDATE: October 15, 2023
And now, we have "confirmation" of couple-dom. Because the Chiefs played on Thursday night, Oct 12, the players didn't return to practice until Tuesday the 17th (Baby Tile's birthday!) So Travis and Shifty showed up in NYC on Saturday, Oct 14, and both guest spotted on Saturday Night Live before officially "coming out" as a couple, holding hands, smiling, cooing, and Travis acting all kinds of chivalrous. It was quite the spectacle.
We're not posting all of the videos, gifs and photos with accompanying flash bulb light show. How many times do we need to see bearding photo ops? We're well familiar with how they look. Not to mention with these two, we're being taken back to our middle and high school days. Danny Zuko and Sandy Olsson indeed.
But isn't it interesting how everything worked out just perfectly with the Chiefs having a Thursday night game and having four (4) days off for R & R.....the Eagles playing the NY Jets on Sunday for folks to speculate that Travis & Shifty would show up at that game to show support for Jason (of which only Travis showed, long enough to be have an endorsement moment) ....amazing.
And we're already being told how Travis is wanting to spend time following Shifty around while she starts her tour overseas, a start which just happens to coincide with the Chiefs' overseas game in Germany on Nov. 5. That game vs. the Miami Dolphins just happens to be followed by no games for two weeks.
Isn't that just something? NFL Scheduling, Narnia is looking directly at you because this took some maneuvering and moving around ....
This fauxmance went from 0 to 60 in Roadrunner speed because Shifty had to squeeze it in before her international tour.
• No doubt, there is a plethora of marketing benefits for all three parties: Shifty, the NFL and Travis. Who can't see it? Ratings are up for NFL telecasts where the Chiefs are concerned. Travis' jersey sales, Travis' commercials are everywhere, and Shifty's movie riding some extra publicity, Shifty's selling of Erin Andrews' jacket, the New Heights podcast as popular as ever, Jason Kelce everywhere, Donna Kelce everywhere, even "pops" Ed Kelce getting camera time. It's been blanketing to say the least.
But there's another important reason for the fauxmance, one that most are missing. One that is the underlying, foundation of a reason.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce both need het cover.
Over the past several years, Shifty's team, much like Jake's team, have done a masterful job of virtually erasing all of the old rumors. Originally written and linked on Twitter back on Feb 11, 2014, this tweet linked to an article which labeled Shifty as being a power beard and was not discreet about it.
The Sugarscape link is no longer valid, but the article can still be seen here, under a URL belonging to International Business Times. 👀 The tweet did not have oxygen for long on Twitter and quickly disappeared.
Besides her tell-tale pattern of "dating" ➞ "break-up" ➞ "break-up album", Shifty's more than giveaway "dating" history has been the biggest red flag 🚩, a history that has included the likes of Joe Jonas, John Mayer, Taylor Lautner, Tom Hiddleston, Harry Styles, and Jake Gyllenhaal.
Jake was a slam dunk, but the rest of that list was, too, really. Jake was simply the slam dunk of slam dunks. LOL!
While Shifty has done good works, i.e. helping to bring to attention the corrupt practices of Ticketmaster and LiveNation, plus helping the movie theater business with the tremendous sales from her Era Tours Movie, it's the antics from the U.S. leg of her Eras Tour and her current fauxmance with Kelce, which tell us she's not going anywhere from her practice of exploiting closeted men who need cover, for her own benefit.
She's part of the new guard in Hollywood, those who play the game and are rewarded, while helping to recruit and endorse the new, younger up-and-coming, helping to keep them in the corral of the controlled.
Joining forces with entertainers like Beyonce,
And actors like Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively and Hugh Jackman. They're part of the established power holders in Hollywood. It's a system.
Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman are going to be in Deadpool 3, which is set for release in 2024. Shifty is rumored to have a cameo in the movie. Shawn Levy, in the rust-colored jacket below, is one of the producers and writers of the movie. Here they all were at the Chiefs/Jets game on October 8, just out having a lot of fun" at an NFL game. via NY Post:
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| Shifty, Blake Lively (Reynolds' beard), Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman and Shawn Levy |
These four big-time celebrities were the human spotlights that day at the game. Not Travis. Not the Chiefs or Patrick. (Granted, it wasn't one of their best games. LOL!) It was about these four people right here, the self-induging selfie from Hugh Jackman's Instagram. Since when has Hugh Jackman even shown any interest in the Chiefs? or Reynolds or Blake Lively for that matter?) You're never going to get all of the water out of this sponge of a selfie.
Again - Ryan Reynolds' marketing company, Maximum Effort, was behind the Donna Kelce (Travis and Jason's mom) and Jake from State Farm visibility during the game.
(Isn't it amazing how "open" they're all being with us, the general public, about how contrived and marketing-oriented this "relationship" is???? Shouldn't we be grateful they're letting us in on what should be hidden from us???)
Oh, and can we mention that Reynolds' company Maximum Effort, holds a 24% investment in the Alpine Formula 1 team. Now, Travis and Patrick Mahomes are amongst a group of athletes who just joined as investors in the Alpine F1 team.
Let's see, let's connect all these dots...
• And then there's Travis, who hadn't been with the Chiefs but for several years before he apparently "needed" a dating show, Catching Kelce, a show that aired in 2016 and is still used today to label him as a dating machine. Does this guy look like he needed help finding a date? Come on. 😂
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| photo credit: chuh - cleveland heights univ. heights |
Publicly, Travis has actually had a rather limited dating profile.
But he has used his fashion wear to code something quite contrary:
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| February 2019, the rainbow snow suit |
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| rainbow shirt by Guess in 2019 |
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| at the ACC Golf tournament in 2019 - triangles every which way |
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| the sunglasses |
the Pink Floyd T shirt,
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| front and center, the triangle and a rainbow sneaked in as well |
And loudest of all, this past May 2023 at the ESPY's. There was no mistaking this message, which sparkled against the stark whiteness of his suit. And he wore it just a couple of months before Shifty's concert at Arrowhead, an attendance which would start the ball rolling on the fauxmance.
He wanted to make his statement before his life would drastically change.
I mean, it was right there, in your face, folks.
Travis is a different breed from some of Narnia's faves and yet he shares a number of common traits with the likes of Jared Padalecki and Louis Tomlinson. These three men fill a room like none other.
They're man-spreading, confident, loveable, gregarious, incredibly charismatic men.
Travis was already successful before Shifty came along. He's a shoe-in, future Canton, Ohio Hall of Famer. His professional records and accolades are numerous. But he also had built a reputation and image as the life of the party. He started up the 87 and Running Foundation which helps "underserved youth strive to become productive citizens by mentoring and motivating them to explore and develop their abilities while learning critical life skills." Travis set up 87 and Running in 2015, just two years after he was drafted by the Chiefs and is very active to this day, alot of his involvement going unseen.
Travis also has his own clothing brand - Tru Kolors.
"I like to show off who I am through what I wear," - Travis Kelce. Tru Kolors website.
His podcast with Jason became a runaway success and so people across the NFL came to know more about both men than just the x's and o's. They liked what they saw.
After the 2023 Super Bowl victory, the time was right for his Saturday Night Live hosting gig. And to no surprise, he was a hit. A natural. And he's not looked back since.
So of course, Shifty caught that that runaway horse right out of the gate. That's what she does. She nabs the IT guys.
And we believe we are already seeing some signs that she's going to break this wild horse like she's done to all the others. Their teams are already dropping the seeds. Take your pick which ones could be used.
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| Travis allegedly owes back taxes in Ohio |
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| The "Catching Kelce ex-gf" warning Shifty of his alleged cheating |
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| sending Travis out for cigars on his recent birthday |
Are they going to later say he is "too protective"??
Are they going to pull up these stories from this year's past training camp, of Travis suddenly picking scuffles with teammates? Remember those two incidents? Will they give him a narrative of "anger issues"??
Or is there going to be "cheating"? Management first set this scenario up when the "Traylor" rumors began. Travis' "Catching Kelce" winner Maya Benberry went on a Twitter-wide viral tour, telling her "story" and warning Shifty of Travis' alleged unfaithfulness.
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| Shifty's "been warned"! |
And so then, guess who else pops up, also with her own viral social media posts? Travis' last "gf", Ms. Kayla Nicole.
Hmmmm....is her viral re-emergence merely reinforcing het cred via flashbacks?
Or is it setting up a "cheating scandal" to cause the break up of Traylor?
Isn't this interesting that as we approach the Nov 5 game in Germany between the Chiefs and Miami Dolphins, that "ex", Kayla Nicole, is 1) still getting publicity?
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| She should be yesterday's news long by now |
and 2) is now being seen "flying away"? Wait, don't tell us - she's flying overseas?
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| Are they setting up a "cheating" scandal? |
Hmmmm....
Why is a former "gf" getting so much coverage?
OR....or is this contract a wait-and-see situation? If Traylor proves to be a juggernaut of a fauxmance, could it extend to something more permanent? Shifty is 33 years old and will turn Travis' age in December. Both are still single and have been able to make it without a wedding band to this point. But no doubt, another one of Travis' motivating factors for signing up for this nonsense is because he has a promising entertainment career awaiting him after his playing days are over. And his playing days are not going to be for much longer. How much longer can Shifty keep getting away with these whirlwind "romances", followed by a "it's not you, it's woe is me" album?
Both individuals are at the top of their game right now. Imagine such a celebrity wedding. Believe us, we are not glamorizing such a spectacle. But looking at it from a PR team perspective? You could see it being very possible. In addition, between her touring and Travis' schedule of NFL games and training camp could limit those photo ops. It could work for both of them.
Nonetheless, are you as exhausted of all this as we are? Our brains hurt at this point.
The point is, there is a distinct difference between a fauxmance being for "pr!" purposes and one being for het cred. Fauxmance'ing for het cred goes beyond trying to sell commodities. And for those who wish to remain private about their personal lives, this can be understandable. The powers that be in Hollywood run a tight leash if someone wants to advance up the entertainment ladder, something which Travis wishes to do. It's something he would be so successful at.
What is a shame is someone like Shifty taking advantage of the situation, just like she has in these two following examples. It would be different if the contracts ended without much fanfare. But no, instead, these men must continue dancing for TPTB. Taylor Lautner popping up at Arrowhead in 2023, paying homage? How bizarre was that? Again - Shifty was holding the leverage here.
And how is his career going? If his performing back flips at screenings of Shifty's movie is any indication, it's not going very well at all.
Joe Jonas had to be portrayed as a rotten ex, while Shifty "comforted and protected" Sophie Turner, offering a NYC apartment as a "safe refuge" for her and the children during the phony divorce proceedings. Joe Jonas became the "bad" guy, if you were to believe all of the headlines.
And then, there was Harry Styles at this year's Grammy Awards. We were shown that Shifty wanted to show his fans that she fully supported Harry,
The fact that she is the first person we are shown on screen following the end of his performance, tells us everything. See? They're friends! It's all "amicable".
Then we had the images of "friendship, acceptance, and support" reinforced again:
Fast forward: should it really be any surprise now that we're told Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner have miraculously come to a temporary but mutual agreement (for the sake of the children!) for joint custody. That helps out, doesn't it? smh. "Amicable" agreements and "still remain friends" are code phrases for mutual bearding contracts coming to an end.
* Exhale *. Is it time to end this section of our post? LOL! These fingers need a break. We have more to examine, but let's save it for next time, okay? There are still a few other interesting asides that need expressing. 😉
Meanwhile, in the Narnia cul-de-sac, we have a couple of other bits of news:
• What's Austin's former beard, Sophia Bush, up to? She recently sort of came out - on Baby Tile's 16th birthday, no less! Was that kind of a wink*wink to BT's infamous parents?
In an announcement that went viral due to surprise and disappointment of Sophia looking like a home-wrecker, what is nonetheless interesting about it:
- There are no direct quotes yet from Sophia, even though the story was published by People.com, which is still considered a go-to source.
- Chad Michael Murry's camp wanted to remind everyone that he and Sophia were once involved, albeit a very brief marriage. Another "ex" of CMM's has to grab headlines and remind everyone of his "het-ness" because he cheated on her with Sophia!
Where is this story going? Will Bush/Harris become a "one time exploration" on Sophia's part and then she'll walk back the semi-coming out? Or is it the beginning of a different stage in her life? Guess we'll just have to wait and see.
• Look kids, it's JibCon 2014 - 2.0! Remember JibCon 2014? That was the Jus in Bello where Management gave Jared a shoulder injury which sidelined him big-time from the Saturday schedule of the Cockles-centered convention.
This weekend Jensen Ackles and professional meard, Misha Collins, are appearing at Comic Con Liverpool. Who even anticipated wondering where Jared Padalecki was? Not us! But Management doesn't fail to show their insecurity by pretending Jared's beard, Genevieve Cortese, took this photo of Jared and daughter, Odette.
Jared is supposed to be sidelined with the flu. Welp! Guess that rules out any possibility of him crashing any "Cockles" photo ops, huh? I mean....we're still doing this?
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| JibCon 2014 2.0, folks |
We'll ignore a GPS "coincidence" that Jared and the beard were in Scotland, UK, merely two weekends ago...
227 miles separate Liverpool and Edinburgh.
Yet, somehow today, Jared has made a super quick recovery and is allegedly in Austin, TX, at a Formula 1 race. 👀
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It is time to end this massive post before any other needed addition is discovered. Apologies for the long read if you made it this far. 😉
Seriously, it was one of our more important posts in quite awhile.
Have a great week and Go Chiefs!!
collaboration: Prairie Girl and Methodical Muser
our pic/edits sources: Cougarboard, KSHB 41 News, WGN's Jarrett Payton, Just Jared,
lifesdailylessons, pinterest, mapquest, TMZ, giphy, International Business
Times, NY Post, gfycat, cleveland heights - university heights,
kelcemenow, hourlytraviskelce, ESPN via You Tube,TaylorSwiftUpdates
our playlist: Closing Time - Semisonic
Just For You - Lionel Ritchie
Shining Light - Annie Lennox
Real World - Matchbox Twenty
Waiting in Vain - Annie Lennox
