The New York Knicks are coming to Taylor Swift’s defense after player Tyler Kolek called her a “performative” Knicks fan.
A Knicks spokesperson said The Hollywood Reporter Friday, “Taylor Swift has been a Knicks fan for many years, has a long history with Madison Square Garden and we greatly appreciate her support of the organization.”
Kolek made the comments earlier this week during an NBA 2K TikTok live stream with fellow Knicks player Miles McBride, who asked him who he thought was the “fakeest celebrity Knicks fan.” Kolek pointed out Swift, suggesting that some celebrities attend games more for attention than to support the team.
“At Knicks games, I would say it’s high performance. Because they just want to be seen at the game; they’re not necessarily fans,” he said. “Maybe Taylor Swift?”
“I don’t know if I’ve seen her at any other games,” Kolek continued. “I guess she has a lot of things to do, so she can’t come all the time, but it’s a bit performative.”
Also on Friday, Kolek’s girlfriend Alexi Sousa reacted to his remarks in a post on TikTok. “Me (a Swiftie) waking up next to Tyler and seeing what he had to say about my daughter,” she wrote in the caption, adding, “My favorite Knicks fan, btw.”
Swift has been spotted attending Knicks games on several occasions, including on the court during Game 4 of the NBA Finals in June, where she wore a “Stevie Knicks” t-shirt and sat alongside friends Alana Haim, Este Haim and Mariska Hargitay. She also attended Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals with Travis Kelce when the Knicks played the Cavaliers.
Beyond her appearances at Knicks games, Swift has a long-standing relationship with Madison Square Garden, where she has performed sold-out concerts. She first performed there at the age of 13. In July, Swift and Kelce also got married at MSG, attended by a group of A-list guests.
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