We at Narnia Dispatches did not want to let this special day go by without a wave and salute to those faves we follow, while we wait to get a few new posts up.
There are reasons why they originally caught our eye and while their ongoing roads can get pretty bumpy at times, these are some of the moments where we say "Yeah, he's so awesome" or "They're fire".
Or in Jake's case - "Jake, Jake, Jake..." LOL!
I'm kidding, I'm kidding! No, really... 😉😁💓
Happy Holidays, everyone!
Jared
Zayn
Liam - of course that's his favorite song!
Jake
Jonathan Toews
Look at that smile - Louis Tomlinson
Patrick Mahomes
Niall
Leo D at Cannes 2023
Jensen Ackles at JibCon 2023 via fren74
Austin Nichols
Harry Styles
Despite the challenging times, there's no denying what we've seen and they have been some of the most wondrous gifts!
There are many of us, on social media, who follow someone(s) in the entertainment world closet. Often these celebrities are part of the traditional performing arts and are found in the music or acting professions. But particularly over the last ten years, as talent and news agencies have merged, diversified and globalized, others have found it necessary to follow many celebrities and public figures across multiple entertainment industries, especially into the high-profile world of professional sports.
In other words, in case anyone hasn't noticed yet, there's an increasing frequency of crossing beams when it comes to professional sports and the acting/recording industries. What Methodical Muser likes to call, not just cross-fertilization, but cross-contamination.
Without a doubt, there's a huge beam-crossing going on right now and everyone's got something to say about it, including the huge mantra that this highly publicized "relationship" is strictly for "PR" purposes.
Lots of different voices have been chiming in since August, and it can be a veritable minefield trying to navigate through all of this chatter, some of which seem to have come from out of nowhere and some from familiar, trusted sources with great influence.
If it's not apparent by now, that highly publicized "relationship" would be the one between two accomplished and superstar performers in their own respective fields - the NFL's Travis Kelce and the music industry's, Taylor Swift.
In brief, there's no denying Travis has been benefiting from the fauxmance, both financially and publicity-wise. Narnia has heard over 1000 times already - how jersey sales are up, how he's in some new broadcast commercial every time you turn around. Then there's the highly lucrative Pfizer deal, name recognition, media coverage, etc.
But has anyone looked behind the curtain and stopped to think that it's highly probable that much of this shift in his celebrity status is part of his compensation, up-front. Because whenever this contract ends, he is going to be the one shredded in the media. Storytelling always has a villain. And it certainly is not going to be Time's Person of the Year.
What's not being said enough is that Travis Michael Kelce was ALREADY highly successful before Taylor Swift even came along.
• His and Jason's New Heights podcast show immediately shot up the charts after its successful debut in September 2022. The December 1, 2022 Episode with Patrick Mahomes had 3.4 million viewers. In April 2023, Shannon Sharpe's Episode brought in 2.1 million viewers. Through most of last year, their show became the number 1 sports podcast in the nation and the top 5 overall podcast for most of the 2022 NFL season.
• Travis and Patrick Mahomes have been so successful, since the latter catapulted into the spotlight in his first full season as the Kansas City Chief's quarterback (2018-19), that their New England Patriot counterparts, Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski, have had their fans vehemently arguing and trolling on Twitter since both men became a threat to Brady/Gronkowski records almost immediately. After his initial full season as a starter, Patrick Mahomes became the NFL's MVP for the first time.
• Travis has been a successful entrepreneur for many years. He's owned his own clothing line, is a business partner in co-owning Club Car Wash, and has his own local endorsements from popular food and grocers establishments. He is a philanthropist who is known for his generosity and inclusiveness, in addition to having his own non-profit Foundation with Eighty-Seven and Running.
This all was before Taylor Swift even knew who he was.
Nov 9, 2022
• Yes, Travis is 34 years old. Of course, he's been planning for his retirement, like any other NFL player at his age. The Kansas City sports talk community, and local fans have been concerned about this eventuality for the past couple of seasons and have wanted the Chiefs to draft a tight end so that Travis has time to mentor him. (Unfortunately, in this year's draft, there were several promising TE's, but they were taken by the time the Chiefs' pick selection.)
What's totally out of character is that Travis has not talked about retiring anytime soon but suddenly the recent Wall Street Journal "interview" comes along and it's on his mind more than people would think? Where did this come from? During the Chief's training camp [July 23 to August 17, 2023] when the contract between Swift and Travis had already been signed (because that's how these arrangement work), he said he planned on playing "until the wheels fall off". So, if anyone wants to conjure up the idea that Swift would be responsible for this 180° turn around and that he's suddenly in a hurry to jump start his post-NFL career, then they haven't followed Travis for very long.
For the sake of keeping this brief and the plan to expand in further detail in future posts, this author is going to say that I have followed this team for years, even used to be a season ticket holder. Lived in this area my whole life.
And Methodical Muser and I have closely followed Travis and Patrick Mahomes since Patrick became a starter in the 2018-19 season. Moreover, anyone even slightly familiar with our blogging history and credentials related to closeted celebrities, are well aware of our extensive knowledge of two of Swift's previous fauxmances with Jake Gyllenhaal and Harry Styles.
Remember, Swift's closet is not the only one going on in this story. This is not a "PR!" Relationship in which Travis is some kind of barnacle dragging down the big boat (Swift).
In case no one has noticed, Travis' image and his name have been getting smeared already. The seeds are being planted for future lyrics, for whenever the "break up" comes.
And now? Travis and Patrick are in the process of being publicly "separated" after being seen in each other's company for years.
Management teams are actively erasing parts of their history and established patterns of hanging out with each other and doing so with each passing week. For instance, these teams are obviously bothered by who Travis' local barber is and trying to make it look like Travis has been flying in another barber for years.
We have some thoughts on this new story that we will share in another post. But, let's say for now it's interesting that this barber just happens to be named Patrick. These teams have also re-written and lied about Travis' housing arrangements, which is very telling as well.
Narnia plans to address some of these erasures, but things are happening so lightning-speed with these two and I don't know about Methodical Muser, but these further elaborations will come out in due time.
Besides, it's holiday season and we are trying to be merry despite the chaos which December can bring from some of our featured faves' teams. 😉
So, if you happen to see this, please just give some thought that there could be more to this fauxmance than simply marketing and money.
In fact, profit maximization and the raising of profiles, are merely topping the surface of what's happening here.
For some of us have seen this same story played out too many times before.
2018
2023 Super Bowl
pic sources: twitter, Getty, Rest in Pieces, Fox19.com
our playlist: Do You Hear What I Hear - for King and Country
Whew! It's been a long eleven-months, folks. Twists and turns. Frustrations and annoyances. Joys and celebrations. Prolonged anticipations, quickly counterbalanced by exasperating letdowns. Trying to figure out what will be the next shoe to drop. Or what might be the next pushback lingering just around the corner.
At the beginning of the year, there was much speculation about a possible shift in good fortune. After all the long expected "breakup" article finally dropped on January 6, 2023, after a few years of crystal gazing. Proving, once again, that contracts do end. Although, never soon enough.
Of course, progress is never linear, so Eleanor's departure was quickly followed by the irritating possibility of a replacement beard on February 16/17,
And even though nothing came of the hinted-at budding "romance", a far more consequential blow hit the fandom with the All of Those Voices "Documentary"Trailer drop at the end of February and the official release date on March 22,
Fandom as Wile E. Coyote
In between, there were many high points related to both Harry and Louis throughout the year. From Grammys and Brits to Sold Out Venues. The beginning of a tour and the end of another.
Followed by Louis' new tattoos, unveiled in April, (although a few more timely ones will be coming at the end of the year as well),
The June 1 resurrection of Tank Top Louis!
Harry looking lovely in early June (Amsterdam),
No explanation needed,
More tiresome, anyone-but-Louis rag headlines, (while also serving a dual-purpose with respect to Harry's true preference)
Harry just being Harry (Never change, my friend),
Storytelling about what has been, 🎶If stars are edible
Music For A Sushi Restaurant, October 2022
The Contract
And what might be 🎶Walk in your rainbow paradise,
Daylight, music video, July 19, 2023
All these memories merging with mounting signs of a paradigm shift appearing on the horizon. Long-awaited developments as Faith in the Future's European Leg came to an end last Saturday. Preceded by Louis' triumphant solo return to London's O2 Arena for a massive sold-out show on November 17.
20,000 in attendance!
Official London O2 Poster (Louis' final European show)
The London poster perhaps paying homage to a film that has loomed large in Louis' storytelling over the last few years: David Fincher's, Fight Club. Through destruction (chaos) comes freedom (breaking away from authority and rules). What the film calls, Project Mayhem.
The final scene of Fight Club
Despite the appearance that nothing really ever moves forward when it comes to Louis and Harry's freedom, something intuitively seems to continue to linger in the background, chipping away at the edges, hinting that this time a real change is in the air. Don't forget that November is the month of One Direction's Sony/Columbia contract, signed in 2011 right before One Direction's American launch date of February 2012. November 17 is, in fact, also the beginning of Louis and Eleanor's first bearding contract. That's right. Louis' closet was cemented right before One Direction hit the American market. Funny how Louis never could remember his own "anniversary." 😂😂😂
On a more positive note, Harry did conclude his never-ending Love on Tour odyssey on July 22 with a "Goodbye" composition, signaling another ending.
Harry played an emotional instrumental composition that was reminiscent of the haunting background piano music found in the promo commercial that announced the start of his solo career. A full circle moment bringing closure to something meaningful, perhaps?
Harry Styles ITV Commercial, April 2017
Two-years, five continents and 169 shows later, Harry's publicized three-album recording deal, announced with Columbia Records in June 2016, has apparently been fulfilled. Although the constant flow of het stunts (from the awkward, obviously staged reveal of a "new" thigh high tattoo designed to authenticate a jettisoned beard to the pointless Lime bike buffoonery) suggest some shackles, or maybe trade-offs are still in place. The peek-a-boo leggy performance occurring just eight days after what was presented to be Harry's final "show". So much for rest and recuperation.
Those pushed up shorts, conveniently caught on camera, at just the right time, really oozes an organic moment. *rolls eyes*
July 30, 2023
With another beard already waiting in the wings and introduced in late June, it is difficult to determine how much freer Harry really is. More smoke and mirrors from Sony and the Azoffs.
Harry's final Love on Tour Performance in Italy
In the meantime, Louis just ended the European leg of his Faith in the Future tour and is not publicly obligated to resurface again until January 24, 2024, in Jakarta, Indonesia. His only show in Asia. Then off to Australia, et al. Officially concluding his tour in Mexico (June 2024). Maybe the relationship between Mexico and freedom might be realized at last. 🎶Step into the Light
Lights Up music video, 2019
Despite six more months of touring set for 2024, Louis cryptically announced last week on November 15, during the 77th performance of his Faith in the Future tour, that an end was near, "We're getting to the end."
Repeat: We're getting near the end.
Then there's all those outro songs, Louis has played throughout 2023 that seem to have an uncanny relationship to a final act.
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road - Elton John
Wake Me Up When September Ends - Green Day
It's the End of World As We Know It - R.E.M.
The End - The Doors
End of the Line - Traveling Wilburys
End of the Day - One Direction
End of the Road - Boyz II Men (last show in Birmingham)
Now, with Harry showing up on the same day as Louis' "Getting near the end" speech with a whole new look, and wearing a "kissing Swan" sweater, a definite change appears to be in the air (Reggio Emilia giving off swan song vibes, perhaps).
We can't help but sense that something is shifting; especially since that buzz cut now reminds Narnia of an October 2021 post where we discussed the film, V for Vendetta. A post which now seems worth revisiting in light of Harry's new unexpected haircut.
Back then, there was already much talk about when would Louis and Harry's contracts end, especially with regard to BabyGate. In fact,the fandom phrase of "End It" was a common rallying cry at the time. The need to battle the system bringing to mind the main theme of the film V for Vendetta. The source of this connection, in fact, came from a provocative tweet and video posted on social media in August 2021 from none other than an old X Factor contestant, Rebecca Ferguson.
In fact it was Ferguson's tweet and video gif attachment that became the inspiration for Narnia's 2021 post. Scroll down to the paragraph beginning with,"And they aren't the only ones battling the industry."
Fast forward to today, and we at Narnia would like to also point out that on December 5, 2023, Rebecca will be releasing an album that she not only calls Heaven, Part II, ("you can't bribe the door on the way to the sky") but a recording that she considers to be the completion (end of an era) of the same named album she released under Syco/RCA (Sony) back in 2011, twelve years earlier. A time when her battle against corrupt business practices in the music industry began. A recording which she indicates will be her fifth and final album. Or does she mean deliverable? One more full circle moment, leading to another possible closure experience. Narnia wishes Rebecca the very best.
Oh, but the connection with Harry's recent buzz cut is more than just Natalie Portman's character in V for Vendetta. There's also Niall Horan's album, significantly called "The Show", [see Niall's early promo] which promotes the theme of Heaven and moving on.
🎶Welcome to the final show,
Heaven Won't Be the Same
But, before leaving this topic, let's add one more point about Rebecca Ferguson and Harry's shaved head photo which seemed to communicate a change in his public image on November 15. Stylistically, Harry's head shot just happens to bare a strong resemblance to Rebecca's album cover art for Heaven, Part II. Drum roll, please,
Could be a coincidence, but Narnia has been around far too long to dismiss the resemblance as being more than merely a random occurrence. The two not only share a longstanding battle about winning their freedom from those abusive Sony/Syco contracts dating back to 2010, but Rebecca's One Direction tweet back in August 2021 (see above discussion on Rebecca's upload YouTube glitch) hint at perhaps a shared ending. Here's hoping that a new beginning might be underway for both Harry and Rebecca and one which will be revealed when the time is right.
Given all of this activity, it seems appropriate to conclude by mentioning Louis' two new tattoos.
And,
Tattoos can have several meanings, but context and backstories are useful in narrowing down their significance. Regarding the first tattoo, the likelihood that Anarchy is what Louis is trying to convey is supported not only by Harry's Vendetta-like buzz cut, but by the Polari (subversive language/coding) tweet that was posted on June 21, 2022, and then deleted. The resemblance to a Guy Fawkes mask crudely drawn onto Louis' face is uncanny, as well as creepy.
The second tattoo of, "We go on go!" has a distinct forward motion quality. Indeed, digging a little deeper, the phrase, "on go," is attached to the concept of being war ready. In other words, being prepared for a fight/battle to the end.
Yes, there can be a double meaning or even more explanations. Louis and Harry are clever and strategic guys, and plausible deniability is essential when dealing with the closet and battling the powers that be. No doubt, being war ready is essential. As is being flexible.
However, after having worn two updated Burberry logos recently in St. Augustine, Florida (July 11, 2023) and for his final show in Birmingham (November 18, 2023), the meaning that is consistently being conveyed seems much more than just something for the lads in the band. The equestrian logo with the knight carrying a flag emblazoned with the Latin word, Prorsum, has the clear definition of moving forward. Comparable to a charge. Like a command, or an invocation. No turning back.
That new Burberry logo was introduced earlier this year with the expressed intent of taking the Burberry brand into a newdirection. This is where we see Louis and Harry going in the new year.
Oh, and a closing shout out to Mr. Isaac Anderson (Louis' bandmate) for clarifying the meaning of Louis' tattoo. Anarchy it is then.
Sources: Tumblr, Twitter, Styles Look Book, Buzzfeed, Lloyd Wakefield, AOTV, Fight Club, HL Daily on Tour, King Updates, 1DRocksNews, National World, gify, Retropopmagazine, Sony, Rebecca Ferguson Music, Burberry
