The PR team is likely hoping to frame this as a misunderstanding, noting Swift’s busy schedule and previous genuine appearances, such as her 2014 courtside presence with Karlie Kloss.
The internet is buzzing because Kolek didn't just call her a fan; he explicitly used the word 'performative,' suggesting she was there for the cameras rather than the basketball, a claim backed by other celebrities' complaints.
On June 10, Swift attended NBA Finals Game 4 at MSG. Kolek stated he hasn't 'seen her at any other games' since. He admitted, 'I'm going to get hate' for calling her 'fakest celeb fan.'
Tyler Kolek broke the celebrity fan code of silence. He called Taylor Swift 'performative' to her face (via livestream), and the receipts show he’s not the only one annoyed by her courtside takeover.
Baby, now they’ve got bad blood. In a move that will surely send shockwaves through the Swiftie fandom, New York Knicks point guard Tyler Kolek has officially declared Taylor Swift the team’s “fakest celeb fan.” During an NBA 2K TikTok livestream on Thursday, the 25-year-old athlete didn’t hold back, labeling the Grammy-winning singer’s recent attendance at a Knicks game as “performative.” Kolek admitted upfront that he was “gonna get some hate” for his remarks, but he stood by his assessment that Swift’s presence was more about visibility than victory.
Kolek’s critique wasn’t just a throwaway line; it was backed by specific observations. He noted that he hasn’t “seen her at any other games” besides the NBA Finals Game 4 in June. While he conceded that Swift does have “a lot going on” and “can’t come all the time,” his conclusion was blunt: some A-listers “just want to be seen at the games, they’re not necessarily fans.” His teammate Deuce McBride, 26, agreed with the sentiment, though he wisely pointed out that “Swifties [are] not gonna like that answer.” McBride instead praised Ben Stiller and Tracy Morgan as genuine supporters of the franchise.
This isn’t the first time Swift’s courtside appearances have drawn fire from both fans and fellow celebrities. During that same June 10 Finals game at Madison Square Garden, Swift sat alongside her pals Alana and Este Haim, right next to diehard Knicks fan Mariska Hargitay. The backlash was immediate and vocal.
Actor Hank Azaria, who was “stuck … up in the rafters” during the game, told listeners of the “Dan Le Batard Show” that he was “bothered” by her courtside seats. “I know she’s the hugest thing in the world, but we had to sit with her all through the NFL [to watch fiancé Travis Kelce] and now she’s at the Garden,” Azaria said, adding, “Come on.” The chorus of complaints grew louder with Charlamagne Tha God and Dave Portnoy joining in.
Charlamagne famously requested on “The Breakfast Club” that Swift “get the eff out of” the arena, while Portnoy ranted about being “sick” of Swift and other “obnoxious” celebs at games. The irony wasn’t lost on observers, especially given that Swift had previously made headlines for an NBA date night with Travis Kelce in May, where she notably didn’t rep either team during the Cavaliers-Knicks matchup. Swift’s rep did not immediately respond to Page Six’s request for comment, leaving the “performative” label hanging in the air like a three-pointer that just missed the rim.
