Why Didn’t Taylor Swift Attend the iHeartRadio Awards? The Real Reason She’s ‘Laying Low’ Amid Travis Kelce Breakup Rumors
What’s an award show without Taylor Swift? The “Love Story” singer skipped out on the iHeartMusic Awards, but still had a large influence on the event and made a short cameo to honor her monumental Eras Tour.
For 2025s awards, Taylor Swift won Pop Album of the Year for The Tortured Poets Department and Artist of the Year, the latter which was not presented during the awards ceremony. She also won the socially voted categories: Favorite Surprise Guest (with her boyfriend Travis Kelce), Best Tour Tradition, and Best Lyrics and Best Music Video for Fortnight (feat. Post Malone).
Related: How Many Grammys Does Taylor Swift Have? She Surpassed Her Lucky Number
Swift’s absence was noticeable in the audience, but she still got shoutouts from other artists like Gracie Abrams who thanked the star in her acceptance speech for ‘Breakthrough Artist of the Year.’
Why didn’t Taylor Swift go to the iHeartRadio Awards 2025?
Taylor Swift didn’t disclose why she couldn’t attend the iHeartRadio Awards this year, but this isn’t the first time she missed out on the awards ceremony. The singer sent a video message in lieu of attendance in 2018, 2020, 2021, and 2024. She did not attend or send a video message in 2022.
“I really can’t tell you how much this means to me because I accept this on behalf of all my tourmates, my band, everyone who toured with us, our crew,” she said in a pre-recorded video when she accepted the Tour of the Century Award. “I’ve been doing a lot of processing since I’ve been off the road in the past couple of months. People often say that sometimes the greatest challenges in life end up being something that you are so proud of or end up being the most gratifying feeling in the end if you can rise to the occasion. And this tour was absolutely the most challenging thing I’ve ever done in my life.”
The Grammy Award winner embarked on 149 shows in 51 cities across five continents for the Eras Tour. “It’s a three-and-a-half-hour show, more shows than I’ve ever done on a tour and it really was the most gratifying thing I’ve ever done. I think about that tour constantly. I’m so proud of it,” she continued.
“And the only reason I was able to take on those challenges, among others, the ambition of the production, the length of the show, the amount of shows in all the different countries we played in, that’s all because of the fans.” Swift concluded her speech thanking all the Swifties for their support. “You had the passion and the generosity to care about traveling to see us on tour in all these places all over the world.”
“It blows my mind,” she added. “I’m never gonna stop being grateful for it. And I appreciate it more than you know.” In honor of the moment, Swift debuted a video clip of “mirrorball” at the first Eras Tour show as a surprise song.
The video message also comes on the heels of breakup rumors surrounding her and her boyfriend Travis Kelce. However, things are smooth sailing for the couple as they were spotted having dinner with friends in New York City at Crane Club just days before the awards ceremony. An eyewitness told Us Weekly, “Travis and four of his friends arrived. Taylor didn’t arrive until 11 p.m. There were seven people there, including them. They all stayed until 3 a.m. The group were all laughing and having a great time.”
Another source told the outlet that they’re taking a hiatus from their hectic career schedules after Travis lost the Super Bowl in February. Also after a two year long tour, Taylor deserves to rest as much as she’d like! “Taylor and Travis are taking it easy right now,” a source dished. “They’ve been laying low in Kansas City.” They two also took some time to do some skiing in Park City. A second insider told the publication, “They’ve been traveling, spending precious time together and letting the rest of the world go for a bit.”
