Heidi Gardner reveals spending "years" convincing producer Lorne Michaels to hire Travis Kelce for SNL

Travis Kelce had to wait a long time before getting to host one of the episodes of Saturday Night Live's season 48 in 2023. Hollywood star Heidi Gardner recently revealed that she has spent "years" convincing SNL's producer Lorne Michaels to hire the Chiefs tight end.

Gardner made an appearance on the "Skinny But Not Fat" podcast earlier this month, during which she opened up about her struggles to onboard Travis Kelce on SNL. Praising the Chiefs tight end, Gardner said:

"The biggest swing I ever did in that department, and it did work, but it took a couple years, was Travis Kelce," she said. "I don't want to take full credit from the show and the talent department, but I am obviously a big Chiefs fan, and I had seen him do other little acting gigs and appearances."

"He's funny, he's charming. I had done the ESPYs with him, announcing something together. He was doing stuff. His talents were already on their way." (43:43)

Moving forward in the podcast, Heidi Gardner recalled how Lorne Michaels presented the actress with a special condition that left her under huge "pressure." According to Gardner, Michaels said to her that he'd allow Travis Kelce to host if the Chiefs win a Super Bowl. Sharing her reaction, Gardner added:

"I was like, 'That is so much pressure to ask!' And then he won the Super Bowl!"

The Kansas City Chiefs ended up beating the San Francisco 49ers to win the Super Bowl, and Travis Kelce got himself the opportunity to host Saturday Night Live.

Taylor Swift to spend private time with Taylor Swift before NFL playoffs

Fans would get to see Travis Kelce straight in the NFL playoffs, as according to NFL insider Pete Sweeney, Kelce is most likely not to play in the Chiefs' final game of the season, against the Broncos. Talking about the same, during an appearance on the "New Day with SSJ" podcast, Sweeney said:

"Andy, I believe, got done with the [Steelers] game and gave the guys some time to go do what they want to do. A tight end might be going to New York with his girlfriend, a quarterback might be hanging out with his kids."

"Who knows what everybody else is doing. But I think it's a nice reset for these guys. All these guys will practice next week, but I have a zero percent feel that any starter of any significance will play in this game," Sweeney concluded.

Talking about spending time with his girlfriend, Travis Kelce was spotted on a cozy dinner date with Taylor Swift in New York City on Saturday. Before that, the couple went on a double date with Hollywood actress Margaret Qualley and her boyfriend Jack Antonoff.