Long before she was a Grammy-winning superstar and the world’s highest-paid female entertainer, the “Folklore” singer’s parents were listening to her sing karaoke and driving her to local gigs near her hometown of Wyomissing, Pennsylvania.
“She was always singing music when she was 3, 5, 6, 7, years old,” her dad, Scott Swift, told UDaily, the newspaper of his alma mater, the University of Delaware. “It’s Taylor doing what she likes to do.”
Scott and Andrea Swift have been their daughter’s biggest fans since birth, nurturing her talent and passion from a young age while striving to keep the pressures of fame off of her.
“There would always be an escape hatch into normal life if she decided this wasn’t something she had to pursue,” Andrea told Entertainment Weekly in 2008. “And of course that’s like saying to her, ‘If you want to stop breathing, that’s cool.’ ”
Andrea, a former marketing manager at an advertising agency, married Scott, a stockbroker-turned-vice-president for Merrill Lynch, on February 20, 1988, in Harris County, Texas. The couple welcomed Taylor on Dec. 13, 1989. Just over two years later, Taylor became a big sister when her brother Austin was born on March 11, 1992.
The two siblings grew up on a 15-acre Christmas tree farm in Pennsylvania before eventually moving to the suburbs of Nashville after the “Teardrops On My Guitar” singer landed her first major record deal with Sony at age 14.
Within a few years of taking that leap of faith, Taylor made her debut onstage at the Grand Ole Opry as a rising country star in September 2006. Andrea began to accompany her on the road as her career took off, while Scott stayed home with Austin.
By 2010, Taylor’s chart-topping success took her to the Grammys, where she swept up four awards and made history as the youngest artist ever to take home album of the year for 2008’s Fearless. She effusively thanked both her parents for their support in her acceptance speech, dedicating the award to her dad. “This is for all those times that you said I could do whatever I wanted in life,” she said. “And my mom, you’re my best friend.”
Keep reading for more about Taylor Swift’s parents, Scott and Andrea Swift
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s Romance ‘All Feels Very Special,’ Says Source (Exclusive)
The singer “had fun spending time with Travis” during her break between Eras Tour legs, an insider tells PEOPLE
![<p>John Shearer/Getty Images for TAS; Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic</p> Taylor Swift "had fun spending time with Travis [Kelce]" during her break between Eras Tour legs, a source tells PEOPLE.](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/gInr1g6JHw8BTpAUoLY_XA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MDtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/people_218/b58af71f1ca388980b2f448a2146cc70)
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s love story is nothing short of “special.”
After spending lots of time with the 34-year-old Kansas City Chiefs tight end during her recent break from the stage, Swift, 33, has resumed her Eras Tour — and sparks are still flying between the new couple.
“Taylor was excited to kick off her international tour. She’s had a great break,” a source tells PEOPLE.
The insider says that during her break, the 1989 songstress “loved catching up with girlfriends” and “had fun spending time with Travis.“
“He is a gentleman,” the source says of the NFL star. “He is very focused on his career. He has a great relationship with his family. He has an amazing energy and approach to life.”
“It all feels very special,” the insider adds.
Swift and Kelce, who flew in to support the musician on the South American leg of her hit tour this weekend, delighted fans with a romantic moment together after the “Cruel Summer” singer’s Saturday concert in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
During the show, Swift made a cheeky lyric change to her hit song “Karma” in a not-so-subtle nod to her athlete beau and, naturally, concertgoers caught his reaction on video.
In fan-captured footage from the concert, the NFL star watched the singer perform the hit Midnights track while standing in the VIP tent with her dad, Scott Kingsley Swift.
“Karma is the guy on the Chiefs coming straight home to me,” Swift sang, causing Kelce to flash a huge grin.
The singer-songwriter’s dad — who wore a Chiefs lanyard — also reacted with excitement, patting the football player on the shoulder and clapping in support.
Kelce also reciprocated the love, at one point. In a clip captured by a concertgoer, he held up a sign that read, “WE WILL STAY,” as she sang her track “The Archer,” a reference to its lyrics: “I’ve been the archer / I’ve been the prey / Who could ever leave me, darling? / But who could stay?”
After exiting the stage, Swift ran backstage into Kelce’s arms and gave him a big kiss, as seen in another video captured at the concert shows.
The very public display of affection came a day after the couple was spotted having dinner together in Buenos Aires.
A source revealed to PEOPLE that the star athlete was “beaming” during their romantic dinner, and that he and the singer “looked so cute on their low-key date night.”
“They also left holding hands,” the insider said, adding that “the crowd in the restaurant briefly cheered as they walked out.”
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The couple’s blooming romance has been heating up since the Fearless songstress first stepped out at a Chiefs game in late September.
Since then, she has attended three more of Kelce’s games, made a surprise appearance with him on an episode of Saturday Night Live and been spotted on several dates with him.
In late October, a source told PEOPLE that the romance between the two was “quickly turning more serious.”
“They share a strong work ethic and have a huge appreciation for life and their careers, strong family bond and values,” the insider added.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce make the list of world’s wealthiest couples – see who else made the cut
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are the world’s third wealthiest celebrity couple according to a list complied by branding agency Arka.
The power couple is said to have a combined net worth of $1.13 billion with Swift’s earnings accounting for majority of the haul. The 12-time Grammy winning pop star is reportedly worth $1.1bn while the two-time Super Bowl champion’s net worth amounts to $30m.
Swift’s primary revenue streams are her incredibly successful worldwide tours, per Arka. In October, Bloomberg reported that Swift became a billionaire thanks to the record-breaking success of her ongoing Eras tour.
On the other hand, Kelce’s share springs from a lucrative contract extension with the Kansas City Chiefs. The star tight end signed a four-year extension worth $57m with the team before the 2020 season, earning him approximately $14m a year.
Swift and Kelce trail behind two power house music couples with Jay-Z and Beyoncé topping the list and Rihanna and A$AP Rocky placing second. Jay-Z and Beyoncé tower over the rest with a combined net worth of $3.04bn. Meanwhile, Rihanna and A$AP Rocky trail behind them at $1.4bn.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce placed third in a list of the world’s wealthiest celebrity couples
The power couple have a combined net worth of $1.13 billion with Swift amounting for $1.1bn
Jay-Z and Beyoncé top the list, towering over the rest with a combined net worth of $3.04bn
New couple Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet trail behind Swift and Kelce with a combined net worth estimated to be $725 million.
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck claimed the fifth spot with a total net worth of $500m.
The list also includes David and Victoria Beckham ($520m), Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds ($380m), Justin and Hailey Bieber ($320m), Channing Tatum and Zoe Kravitz ($90m), and Zendaya and Tom Holland ($40m).
Kelce and Swift took the world by storm after making their relationship public late in September.
The couple made their relationship public in September with Swift attending a Chiefs game
A Page Six report suggests that Swift’s father gave Kelce his blessing to marry his daughter
Swift has since been a regular at Chiefs games, having attended seven so far this season. Swift’s cameos on broadcasts have led to an extensive growth in the NFL and the Chiefs’ social media following and female viewership.
Kelce has also been in Swift’s supporters section, using his bye week in November to see Swift’s Eras tour in Argentina.
The relationship recently reached new heights after reports emerged of Kelce asking Swift’s father, Scott, for her hand in marriage. According to the Page Six report, Scott wholeheartedly gave Kelce his blessing.
The pair was last seen when Swift watched the Chiefs defeat the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on Sunday.
