Taylor Swift donates $250,000 to organization Travis Kelce has supported for last decade

About a week before Christmas, Mary Esselman got a call from Taylor Swift’s team. The singer wanted to donate a quarter of a million dollars to the Kansas City organization Esselman manages, Operation Breakthrough.

“Our kids were pretty excited,” the CEO says. “We  asked them if they wanted to do a little thank you, and you could see we had a lot of enthusiastic participants.”

The kids of Operation Breakthrough — a nonprofit that provides programs and quality child care for children of the working poor — created a one-minute video thanking the superstar for her $250,000 donation.

“Thank you, Taylor,” one girl says while holding a hand heart to start the video.

The money from Swift will be divided between three programs:  the workforce development and entrepreneurship program which includes 10 labs where kids can learn industry trades, the before and after school program which provides child care services for families when school is not in session, and the early learners program.

“We have 432 students, birth to 5 year olds who are there every day for early care and education,” Esselman says about the early learners program. “Our goal is to make sure every child enters school ready.”

It was the end of a decade

Swift’s boyfriend Travis Kelce has been an advocate and financial supporter of Operation Breakthrough for the past 10 years. His first visit to the campus came shortly after Esselman took the reins as CEO.

“ He came for Read Across America Day,” she says. “He was reading to some of the preschool classrooms … and he just kept coming back.”

In a YouTube video posted by the Kansas City Star, the tight end sports his Chiefs’ jersey and a red-and-white stovepipe hat while reading Dr. Seuss’ “Cat in the Hat.”

Taylor Swift heads to Arrowhead:The singer was spotted in a long red coat at the Chiefs vs. Texans matchup.

Since the March 2015 event, Kelce has perennially assisted the organization. Every year, he sponsors the “87 and Running” robotics team. In 2020, he purchased a muffler shop for the  high school workforce development and entrepreneurship program. And most recently, he drove a 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle to his Dec. 8 game at Arrowhead Stadium that the students converted into an all-electric vehicle.

“He’s just a down-to-earth guy,” Esselman says. “ He would come over the years without media just to say hi to the kids after school. A couple times he did little pizza parties. He’s been someone that the kids see almost as a regular person, and he remembers their names.”

Although Swift hasn’t made a visit to Operation Breakthrough — like she did last week to Children’s Mercy Hospital — there will still be plenty of opportunities as she spends more time in Kansas City.

“ Maybe one of these times she’ll pop along with Travis,” Esselman says, “but we couldn’t be more grateful that she selected us for such a special gift.”

Caitlin Clark raised the profile of women’s basketball to unprecedented levels in both the college ranks and the WNBA, and Tuesday she was named the AP Female Athlete of the Year for her impact on and off the court.

After leading Iowa to the national championship game, Clark was the top pick in the WNBA draft as expected and went on to win rookie of the year honors in the league. Fans packed sold-out arenas and millions of television viewers tuned in to follow her journey. Clark’s exploits were far reaching, casting a light on other women’s sports leagues along the way.

A group of 74 sports journalists from The Associated Press and its members voted on the award. Clark received 35 votes, Olympic gymnast Simone Biles was second with 25 and boxer Imane Khelif was third, getting four votes.

Clark is only the fourth women’s basketball player to be honored as the female athlete of the year since it was first presented in 1931, joining Sheryl Swoopes (1993), Rebecca Lobo (1995) and Candace Parker (2008, 2021).

“I grew up a fan of Candace Parker and the people who came before me and to be honored in this way, is super special and I’m thankful,” Clark said in a phone interview. “It was a great year for women’s basketball and women’s sports.”

Shohei Ohtani won the AP Male Athlete of the Year on Monday for the third time.

Clark broke the NCAA Division I career scoring record for both men and women finishing her career with 3,951 points while guiding Iowa to its second consecutive national championship game. After her Hawkeyes lost t South Carolina for the title, Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley took the mic during her team’s celebration and said, “I want to personally thank Caitlin Clark for lifting up our sport.”

For all the success Clark has had and the attention she has brought to women’s basketball, she is often the centerpiece of debates and online toxicity towards her and other players in the league.

For her part, Clark has disavowed the toxic discourse.

Lobo also has been impressed with the way the 22-year-old Clark has handled the pressure and attention that has come her way.

“I would say she’s navigated it almost flawlessly. she hasn’t had an big missteps or misspeaks at a time you’re under constant scrutiny,” Lobo said. “She’s seemed to say and do all the right things. That’s just incredible at a time when it’s constant attention and scrutiny. She has not done anything to tarnish this sort of mild persona she has.”

As Clark handled the praise — and the backlash — during the heat of competition, it was hard for her to appreciate just what she was able accomplish over the past year. But after having time to reflect on the whirlwind tour, she appreciates those who were there alongside her for the ride.

“I’m thankful for the people I got to do it with,” Clark said. “A year ago I was still in the early part of my senior year in college. … How fast things change, and now I can see how great a college season it was.”

Iowa sold out all of its games at home and on the road with Clark as the main attraction. That momentum continued into the pros. Her No. 22 jersey was prevalent wherever she played during her rookie season and will be retired at Iowa.

“You’d be remiss not to acknowledge how crazy her fan base is and the eyes she gets with everything she does,” said Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton, who was often spotted courtside at Clark’s Indiana Fever games. “It’s a different type of popularity, she’s one of the most popular athletes in the world. It’s not just women’s sports anymore.

“It’s really cool to see and she just handles it with such grace.”

Clark said she enjoys spending time with fans at games, usually taking a few minutes before and after games to sign autographs.

“For me it’s still really fun,” she said. “Whether it’s 15 seconds or 10 seconds or 5 seconds can be very impactful in a young girl and young boys life. Seeing the fans going crazy an hour before tipoff, I never take that for granted. That’s super cool and I never want that to go away.”

After a slow start to her WNBA career, Clark eventually found her stride there too. She set the single-game assist record with 19 and also had 337 assists on the season to break that mark as well. Clark, known for her logo-distance 3-pointers, was the fastest player to reach 100 3’s when she did it in 34 games which helped Indiana reach the playoffs for the first time since 2016.

Lobo, who won the AP female athlete of the year award after lifting UConn to its first national championship, was on the court for launch of the WNBA two years later. The ESPN analyst sees Clark’s ascension as something different.

“She’s brought unprecedented attention both in the building, but also viewership to the sport that was worthy of it but didn’t have it yet,” Lobo said. “There’s never been anything like this.

“That timeframe from 1995-97 was a baby step in the progression of it all. This is a giant leap forward. I’ve never seen anything like this. There’s more attention then the sports ever had.”

The numbers have been record breaking when Clark is part of a broadcast:

— TV viewership in the WNBA was up 300% thanks in large part to Clark with ABC, CBS, ION, ESPN, and ESPN2 all having record viewers when Fever games were on.

— The NCAA women’s championship game outdrew the men on TV for the first time in the sport’s 42-year history with 18.9 million viewers tuning it to watch the event. It was the second most watched women’s sporting event outside of the Olympics in the history of U.S. television.

— The 2024 WNBA draft was the most-watched in league history with 2.4 million viewers.

Clark credits the community of women athletes for the popularity increase of women’s sports, saying “we” did this or “we” did that when asked about it.

“It’s fascinating, you don’t always appreciate how many people 18 million is,” Clark said. “You see that number against a college football game or the Masters or whatever it is as far as the biggest sporting events in our country and it puts it in perspective. We outdrew the men’s Final Four.”

Mar 31, 2022; Minneapolis, MN, USA; ESPN analyst Rebecca Lobo poses during NCAA Womens Final Four press conference at Target Center. 

While many people within the sports media world have given Caitlin Clark her flowers across her incredible basketball career, few have achieved a comparable degree of on-court success as the 22-year-old.

One person who has is Rebecca Lobo, who has been inducted into both the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, won an Olympics gold medal with Team USA in 1996, was a 1995 NCAA champion at UConn, and became a 1999 WNBA All-Star.

Lobo, who has been an outspoken Clark advocate, had some high praise for Clark once it was announced that Fever superstar was named AP Female Athlete of the Year for 2024 — which is an award Lobo also earned back in 1995.

“I would say she’s navigated it almost flawlessly. She hasn’t had any big missteps or misspeaks at a time you’re under constant scrutiny,” Lobo said of Clark in a December 24 article from the Associated Press. “She’s seemed to say and do all the right things. That’s just incredible at a time when it’s constant attention and scrutiny. She has not done anything to tarnish this sort of mild persona she has.”

Lobo later added, “She’s brought unprecedented attention both in the building, but also viewership to the sport that was worthy of it but didn’t have it yet.

“There’s never been anything like this,” she added.

It’s cool to hear Lobo admit the run Clark is on has never been done before, especially given everything she has accomplished in her own basketball career.

This article was originally published on www.si.com/onsi/womens-fastbreak as WNBA Legend Rebecca Lobo Praises Caitlin Clark’s Poise Amid Most Recent Award Win.

Taylor Swift Supports Travis Kelce After He Breaks Chiefs Touchdown Record During Christmas Day Game

Kelce earned his 77th receiving touchdown on the Chiefs this week, passing franchise great Tony Gonzalez

Travis Kelce, Taylor Swift . Photo: Justin K. Aller/Getty; Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty

Taylor Swift is cheering on Travis Kelce, even when she’s not on the sidelines.

As the Kansas City Chiefs’ star tight end, 34, earned another receiving touchdown and helped his team clinch victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Christmas Day, 29-10, he also further etched his name in the franchise’s history books.

On Wednesday, Dec. 25, Kelce officially passed Chiefs legend Tony Gonzalez for the franchise record of all-time receiving touchdowns, when a fourth-quarter play and 12-yard grab earned him his 77th receiving TD. The NFL itself confirmed the stat, as Kelce’s 77 career receiving touchdowns sit just above Gonzalez’s 76, as well as above Otis Taylor’s 57, Tyreek Hill’s 56 and Chris Burford’s 55.

That day, the Chiefs celebrated its latest record-breaker with a timely Instagram snap, showing Kelce’s face alongside the words “most receiving touchdowns.” And while she wasn’t present at the Dec. 25 game, Swift, 35, did leave a supportive “like” on the Chiefs’ photo, which featured a celebratory caption for Kelce.

“If you ever can’t find Travis, chances are he’s in the end zone,” the team wrote. “Congrats, @killatrav!”

Taylor Swift “likes” an Instagram post by the Kansas City Chiefs after Travis Kelce breaks franchise record for receiving touchdowns.Kansas City Chiefs/Instagram

Other fans and friends joined in to congratulate Kelce on his latest career milestone, including teammate Jody Fortson, who used a goat emoji to salute the fellow tight end.

The record-breaking game came just four days after Swift attended the Chiefs vs. Texans game at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 21, when the pop superstar was spotted cheering on Kelce in fuzzy, red attire.

For the outing, Swift wore a long red Charlotte Simone winter coat and black pants. She also spored a red Tod’s bag and some knee-high boots.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce attend the 2024 US Open Tennis Championships on Sept. 4, 2024.Gotham/GC Images

Kelce has continued to have a record-breaking season for both the franchise itself and the league as a whole. Among the major plays by Kelce was a 19-yard reception in a Nov. 24 game against the Carolina Panthers, which made him the tight end with the third-most receiving yards in NFL history. At the time, he passed Antonio Gates’ record of 11,841 receiving yards.

During an interview on The Kelly Clarkson Show  last month, Gonzalez was asked about Kelce surpassing a few of his own records — including earning 11,000 receiving yards in the fewest number of games (154) as a tight end and most receiving yards ever by a Chiefs player. As previously noted, Gonzalez still holds the NFL’s record for overall yards (15,127) by a tight end.

“He’s such a good dude and the whole Taylor Swift thing now,” the father of four, who played in the NFL for 17 seasons, said before adding how new types of fans are approaching him.

“I was like, ‘Oh, how cool, I’m getting so popular that a 10-year-old girl [wants to talk to me],’” Gonzalez shared, laughing. “She goes, ‘Hi, Is your name Tony? Do you know Travis Kelce?’ But I think it’s great that Taylor’s done this for the NFL, she’s brought a whole new audience, it’s been great.”

Two weeks after being named TIME Athlete of the Year, Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark has received another major award. Clark — who broke the NCAA Division I basketball’s all-time scoring record and drove record WNBA viewership and attendance to new heights — was named the AP Female Athlete of the Year on Tuesday morning.

The award is voted on by 74 sports reporters from The Associated Press. Clark received 35 votes, Olympic gymnast Simone Biles received 25, and boxer Imane Khelif received four votes.

Clark is the fourth women’s basketball player to receive the honor, joining Sheryl Swoopes (1993), Rebecca Lobo (1995) and Candace Parker (2008, 2021).

Clark is still in the beginning of her WNBA career, but she’s already set a tremendous list of records as a professional. She was a near-unanimous Rookie of the Year, and was named to the First Team All-WNBA.

Her WNBA records include the most assists in a rookie season, most points in a rookie season, most points by a point guard in WNBA history, WNBA single-season record for assists, WNBA single-game record for assists (19), fastest WNBA player to reach 100 three-pointers, and the list goes on.

Before being picked first overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft, Clark led the University of Iowa to back-to-back national championship appearances and set numerous collegiate records. She also became the only women’s Division I basketball player in collegiate history to lead the country in both points and assists.

But, above all that she accomplished on the court, Caitlin Clark helped elevate the WNBA to new heights. In 2023, the Fever averaged 4,067 fans per game. The following season, they led the league with over 17,000 fans per game. When the Fever were on the road, teams routinely upgraded to larger arenas to accommodate more fans; the Fever’s regular-season finale in Washington DC broke the WNBA’s attendance record with 20,711 fans. Clark also contributed to unprecedented WNBA television viewership; 19 of her games drew more than one million TV viewers.

In an interview with the AP, Clark expressed her gratitude for the honor.

“I grew up a fan of Candace Parker and the people who came before me and to be honored in this way, is super special and I’m thankful,” she said. “It was a great year for women’s basketball and women’s sports.”

New photo emerges of loved-up Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce in VIP suite at Chiefs game after win over Texans

A smitten Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift are all smiles alongside his former high-school coach in new photos from the Kansas City Chiefs’ win over the Houston Texans.

Swift headed back to Arrowhead for the first time in over three weeks on Sunday after wrapping up her last ever Eras Tour show earlier this month, and she saw a victory on her return.

In their final home regular-season outing of the season, Kelce and the Chiefs sealed a 27-19 win over the Texans to move to 14-1 and build hope of an unprecedented third consecutive Super Bowl.

Travis’ popstar-girlfriend was not the only significant figure in his VIP suite on Sunday, nevertheless.

The NFL star also invited Jeff Rotsky – who coached him in his senior year at Cleveland Heights High School – and his daughter Emmie along to watch the game from the luxury of his private box.

Rotsky shared pictures of him and Emmie with Travis and Taylor on the day, as well as a number of former Cleveland players who were also invited to Arrowhead.

Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift were all smiles alongside his old high-school coach on Sunday

Kelce invited Jeff Rotsky (right), who coached him in his senior year, and daughter Emmie (left) to watch the Chiefs’ win over the Texans from his VIP suite at Arrowhead on Sunday

The now-VASJ Vikings coach described the day as a ‘blessing’ and spoke of his pride of what his former players have gone on to achieve in the sport.

Kelce posed next to Jeff in a super-expensive outfit he also arrived at the game in, which consisted of a $1,595 beige faux-fur jacket from luxury designer Marni and a $4,225 Louis Vuitton flat cap.

Swift, meanwhile, was wearing a fluffy red jacket and black boots while holding a red handbag.

The songstress, who was joined at the game by her mom Andrea and dad Scott on Sunday, completed the look with a black fedora.

Kelce had five receptions for 30 yards against the Texans but his wait goes on to set the franchise record for touchdowns with Kansas City while still tied with Tony Gonzalez on 76.

The Chiefs tight end and his girlfriend have been the subject of engagement rumors over the past week after photos from her Eras Tour birthday party surfaced last week.

Eagle-eyed Swifties spotted a strange detail in some of the pictures to emerge from the bash, as their beloved singer appeared to be covering her ring finger with her little finger in a snap with Brittany Mahomes and Lyndsay Bell.

Several photos showed Swift sipping on a cocktail, and one fan who goes by @lizpwoods on Instagram, pointed out that the singer’s left ring finger looked ‘blurred’ in one shot.

Swift was back at Arrowhead for the first time in three weeks after wrapping up her Eras Tour

She watched on from Kelce’s private box as the Chiefs sealed a 27-19 win over the Texans

Her boyfriend had five receptions for 30 yards as Kansas City moved to 14-1 for the season

This sparked a wild theory that Swift may have purposely ‘edited out’ an engagement ring as not to reveal news that Kelce had finally popped the question.

Swift did not appear to be wearing a ring in the pictures shared by Ross Travis, who attended the party and was formerly a teammate of Kelce’s.

One of the images showed Travis and Taylor looking suave while Ross is singing into a microphone. He captioned the picture on his Instagram story: ‘Eras complete, congrats Tay!’

The other shows Taylor herself dancing with the microphone in her hand with Kelce stood close to her.

The Associated Press women’s player of the year was recently named. It was WNBA player Caitlin Clark. Clark had a significant impact in the league this year both in terms of performance and in bringing viewership in her rookie season itself. Thus, she won 35 votes. The athlete who finished second was the goat Simone Biles, who had a brilliant Paris Olympics where she ended up winning four medals.

Simone had a point to prove after so many people doubted her after her withdrawal from the Tokyo Olympics. But the gymnast showed her expertise on the mat and grabbed three gold medals. This earned her 25 votes from the jury. However, what caught fan’s attention was the third athlete on the list and the fact that the Associated Press gave Olympic gold medalist Imane Khelif a place in the final.

The boxer has been under a lot of scrutiny and a topic of numerous raging debates ever since she made her first appearance in the Paris Olympics. This is because many have claimed that Imane, who competes in the female category, is a biological male. The rumors of this intensified even more when one of her opponents, Angela Carini, forfeited her bout against Imane Khelif as one of her punches hit her way too hard. This led to many fans asking for her disqualification from the competition. But Imane went on to win the gold medal, which did not sit right with many.

These people have been angered even more after she received four votes for the female athlete of the year, leading them to express their anger on social media. They believed that, as the case of Imane being a male or female still lies in ambiguity, it wasn’t right for her to be standing with two incredibly accomplished women athletes, Simone Biles and Caitlin Clark. Some, who have already made up their minds on Imane Khelif’s gender, have even trolled the boxer on social media.

One fan crudely said, “What a farce he/it got 4 votes! A group of 74 sports journalists from The Associated Press and its members voted on the award. Clark received 35 votes, Olympic gymnast Simone Biles was second with 25, and boxer Imane Khelif was third, getting four votes.” Thus, some fans were quite unhappy about the whole thing.

Olympics gold medalist’s inclusion in list sparks huge debate

Most fans were left immensely unhappy with the decision to give Imane Khelif a place in the finals of the Female Athlete of the Year list. “How was Khelif a finalist for Female Athlete of the Year? So tired of this nonsense,” said one fan. Amidst all the rumors of Imane Khelif being a biological male, the boxer had a lot of people rooting against her and waiting for the opportunity to celebrate her defeat. However, she rose above the critics and ended up winning the gold medal at the Paris Olympics.

This is why she has also gained some support from a fraction of the fans post the competition. They believe that the boxer completely deserves her medal, and anything said against her is an attempt to pull her down while she is at the top. “If Imane Khalif is a woman, her condition does not make her any less of a woman. She doesn’t need to prove anything to anyone. AND even at the end of 2024 it burns for them to see a woman succeed in a sport,” said one fan. Thus, the boxer remained a divisive subject among the fans.

But while this debate raged on, Simone Biles’ fans had a different bone to pick with the list. They completely believed that the gymnast had done enough this year in the Paris Olympics to make her the female athlete of the year over Caitlin Clarke. “I love that CC has made a huge impact on the WNBA, but she should never win any award over Simone Biles. I know gymnastics isn’t shown on ESPB every day, but people must not fully comprehend what Biles is and does. She’s the best female gymnast ever in the history of the world,” said one fan.

There is some obvious legitimacy to this claim. After all, Simone Biles winning four medals at the Olympics while defeating her rivals in gymnastics can’t be taken lightly at all. As this is such a regular task for her, many people have made the mistake of doing so, believing that this is merely habitual for her. But Simone had an extraordinary Olympics, which can very well stake a claim at the accolade.

Another fan also spoke about Simone Biles’ achievements while bringing two other candidates into the fray. “There were numerous athletes who should have been named Athlete of the Year over CC. AW scored 1000 points (first to do it) and won a gold medal. Simone Biles dominated women’s gymnastics and won multiple Olympic medals. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone dominated women’s track and field.”

A’ja Wilson played a crucial role in the US basketball team winning a gold medal at the Paris Olympics and thus deserves her flowers as well. On the other hand, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s unprecedented dominance in hurdling, where she has broken the world record six times, with two occasions coming this year, warranted a mention too. But this is not to say that Caitlin Clark or Imane Khelif deserved it any less. With fans continuing to pick sides, the list definitely seems to be controversial!

Ever since Caitlin Clark left the NCAA to set records in the WNBA, the hunt for the next generational basketball talent has intensified. Among the emerging stars, JuJu Watkins stands out with her electrifying performances for USC and record-breaking milestones. But while her game dazzles on the court, her California roots and unique circumstances create hurdles that may hinder her quest to rival Clark’s legendary NCAA career.

On the latest episode of Fearless with Jason Whitlock, Whitlock tackled the issue, highlighting the contrasting environments between Clark’s Iowa and Watkins’ Los Angeles.

“Well, Caitlin Clark was in Iowa in the middle of nowhere. She wasn’t in the entertainment capital of the world. She wasn’t in a city that had 75-degree weather year-round and open beaches. She went off or she grew up in and continued to play in a little isolated area of the country where people are starved for entertainment. And so she built a huge following right there in the state of Iowa, her home state,” he said.

The deeper issue, according to Whitlock, is the cultural and entertainment saturation of Los Angeles, where sports often compete with numerous distractions for attention. In contrast, Clark thrived in a basketball-centric environment, with little competition for local and statewide support. While Watkins’ environment may pose unique challenges, her talent remains undeniable.

She recently made history as the fastest Power Five player in women’s college basketball to reach 1,000 career points, accomplishing the feat in just 38 games—two fewer than Clark’s record. With season averages of 24.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.8 assists on 46.2% shooting, Watkins is unquestionably a dominant force. Yet, as Jason Whitlock put it, the question persists: Can she cultivate the same level of national adoration that Clark commanded?

Balancing brilliance: Can JuJu Watkins thrive amid criticism and California’s spotlight?

Adding to the debate, Rachel DeMita voiced concerns over how USC is managing Watkins’ playing time on her own podcast. “I don’t think that’s what JuJu needs for the development of her game,” DeMita said, suggesting that keeping Watkins on the court for extended minutes might be more about stat-padding than fostering her growth as a player.

Such a strategy could also increase her risk of injury, a significant concern given Watkins’ pivotal role for USC.

Despite these challenges, Watkins has demonstrated resilience and poise. Her performance this season reflects her ability to adapt and excel under pressure. However, her journey to rival Caitlin Clark’s legacy will require more than individual brilliance. Watkins must navigate the complexities of playing in a city where attention is fragmented, balancing her development with the need to draw a larger following.

Whether she can carve out her own path and emerge as a player of Clark’s stature remains uncertain. For now, her record-breaking performances and undeniable talent keep her firmly in the conversation, as the basketball world watches to see if she can overcome the challenges of her California roots and fulfill her potential as the next NCAA superstar.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year for pretty much everyone, and that includes Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet, apparently.

A source close to the couple told Page Six that they’ve been having a downright “magical” time this holiday season, and not just as a couple—Jenner’s two children, six-year-old daughter Stormi and two-year-old son Aire, have also been part of the magic.

Chalamet, Jenner, Stormi and Aire, all “had a really nice dinner together with Kylie’s family, and they drove around to look at Christmas lights,” according to the source.

The family bonding times was a success, it seems, with the insider adding that “the kids had a really magical time, and Kylie and Timothée made some very special memories together.”

Kylie Jenner with her kids, Stormi and Aire, in a Christmas picture she shared to Instagram. (Image credit: Instagram / @kyliejenner)

As you might have deduced from the early timing of Jenner and Chalamet’s holiday magic, the source says they “aren’t going to be together on Christmas Day this year, they made sure to celebrate beforehand and even exchanged some gifts.”

“Kylie and Timothée are both going to be with their families for Christmas, but they’re going to stay connected despite being apart,” the source explained, adding that, even though they won’t be physically together on Christmas day, Jenner and Chalamet still plan on “FaceTiming, texting and calling” throughout the times when they’re apart during the holidays.

Chalamet reportedly made sure to include Stormi and Aire in every aspect of the celebration, including the gift-giving—and that reportedly stood out to Jenner.

“Timothée not only got Kylie gifts, but also got some for the kids, which Kylie thought was so sweet and thoughtful,” the source said.

This tracks with everything else we’ve heard about the couple, who have been notoriously “protective” of their relationship. In July, a source told Entertainment Tonight that the pair are “in constant and fluid communication” and “see a long-lasting relationship together”—and the high value they place on family seems to be a big part of their connection.

“Kylie’s family thinks that Timothée is balanced, dedicated, successful, and a family man,” the source said. “They love how he treats her and everyone she cares about. He loves her so much and is respectful to her entire circle. Things are blossoming between them more and more every day.”

And the Entertainment Tonight source’s description of the couple seems very family-friendly, indeed, so it’s no surprise Stormi and Aire were an integral part of their holiday celebration.

“They cook at home, go to dinners, travel when they can, play board games, and are just their authentic selves together,” the source said of how Jenner and Chalamet spend their alone time together. “They are both honest with each other, and there isn’t any void of communication.”

A look at Queen B’s holiday performance

Getty Images

The Beyoncé Bowl was one to remember. From the live band, to her iconic bleachers, a truck wrapped in denim, special guests, live horses and a floating stage, the show managed to capture the spirit of Texas as well as the spirit of her most recent album.

Through two quarters of Christmas Day football, the Baltimore Ravens had a 17-2 lead over the Houston Texans. And in between the action on the field, we got a show from the superstar singer. The Texas native took the stage at NRG Stadium in Houston to perform songs from her latest album, “Cowboy Carter,” for the first time live.

She entered the stadium on horseback, singing “16 Carriages,” off her latest album. As she went through the tunnel, she passed a sign with sparklers that said “Cowboy Carter” and antique cars. She was wearing an all-white outfit, down to the cowboy hat, with a sash that also said the name of her chart-topping album.

Beyoncé was rumored to be bringing out surprise guests for the holiday show and she delivered. For her second song, “Blackbiird,” she was joined by four other singers: Brittney Spencer, Reyna Roberts, Tiera Kennedy and Tanner Adell. But they were far from her only guests.

When she took the middle of the field, her daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, who was featured on the album, was a background dancer. CBS Sports predicted ahead of the performance that two of her special guests would be Post Malone and Shaboozey, as they have done NFL performances in the past. Shaboozey and Post Malone also came out to perform the songs they are featured on in the album, “Sweet Honey Buckin” and “Levii’s Jeans,” respectively.

The final song was her hit single “Texas Hold ‘Em,” which she sang as the stage lifted up. She signed off by wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.

Beyoncé, named the greatest pop star of the 21st century by Billboard, did not disappoint and focused mainly on her latest album, rather than her past hits.

Here’s a look at her setlist:

“16 Carriages”
“Blackbiird” feat. Brittney Spencer, Reyna Roberts, Tiera Kennedy and Tanner Adell
“YA YA” with Blue Ivy Carter

“My House”
“SPAGHETTII”
“RIIVERDANCE”
“Sweet Honey Buckin” feat. Shaboozey

“Levii’s Jeans” feat. Post Malone
“Jolene” feat. a voiceover of Dolly Parton
“Texas Hold ‘Em”

“Cowboy Carter” marked Beyoncé’s first country album and featured icons from the genre as well as newcomers. She collaborated with Dolly Parton, Miley Cyrus, Post Malone, Willie Nelson, Shaboozey, Tanner Adell, Willie Jones and Linda Martell.

Her past two halftime performances came during Super Bowls, as she took the stage in 2013 during Super Bowl XLVII and in 2016 during Super Bowl 50.