Heidi Gardner, a Saturday Night Live favorite, has long been vocal about her admiration for NFL star Travis Kelce. During an appearance on the Not Skinny But Not Fat podcast, Gardner revealed she had championed Kelce to host SNL for years. However, show creator Lorne Michaels had one major stipulation before making it happen.
Gardner shared that her campaign to bring Kelce to the show took years. “The biggest swing I ever took in that department was Travis Kelce,” she said. While giving credit to the talent department, she added, “I’m a huge Chiefs fan and had seen him do other acting gigs.” She noted his charm and humor, referencing their joint appearance at the ESPYs.
Kelce eventually hosted SNL during its 48th season in 2023, just before his relationship with Taylor Swift went public. Gardner recalled that Michaels had said Kelce would need to win the Super Bowl to secure the hosting spot. “That’s so much pressure!” she remembered thinking. But Kelce rose to the challenge, winning the big game and earning his place on the iconic stage.
On the night of Kelce’s hosting debut, Gardner hosted her own mini tailgate party in her dressing room, complete with barbecue. She didn’t expect Kelce to attend, given the tight schedule of a live show. Yet, to her surprise, Kelce sent a thoughtful gesture. “That morning, someone from the talent department brought cans of tequila sodas from Travis for the tailgate,” she shared.
Despite the thoughtful gift, Gardner still assumed Kelce wouldn’t have time to visit. But just before the live show, she received a surprising text: a photo of Travis and his brother Jason Kelce eating a barbecue in her dressing room. “That’s the only host in SNL history to tailgate before hosting,” she joked.
Since his SNL appearance, Kelce has expanded his acting endeavors, including a role in Ryan Murphy’s Grotesquerie and hosting Prime Video’s Are You Smarter than a Celebrity? Gardner also shared her protective instincts toward Kelce during his hosting stint. “I asked him a lot of questions, like what he eats on game day,” she said, recounting his love for Uncrustables.
Gardner’s unwavering support, coupled with Kelce’s charisma and talent, made his SNL episode a memorable milestone.
