Travis Kelce’s star power alone wasn’t enough for him to gain access into a recent “Saturday Night Live” afterparty.

Kelce is already one of America’s most recognizable and beloved athletes, but his relationship with Grammy Award-winning singer Taylor Swift has launched him into another level of fame and celebrity gossip.
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 21: Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs warms up prior to the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on January 21, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
During her appearance on “Late Night with Seth Meyers” on Tuesday night (h/t Julia Moore of People), “Saturday Night Live” cast member Punkie Johnson shared a hilarious story where Kelce was once denied access into an SNL afterparty.

That’s where Johnson stepped in and pulled some strings to allow the All-Pro tight end and two-time Super Bowl champion into the party.

“‘(Security told him)You can’t get in, bro, you’re not on the list. And I’m sitting up there like, ‘Why isn’t he listing his resume?’ ‘Cause I’m on SNL, I’m like a D-list celebrity and I would’ve been like, ‘I’m on SNL! I know Lorne Michael!’ But he was just sitting up there just being so innocent, like, ‘Oh my gosh, should I call someone?’

“So I went over there and I was like, ‘This is a Super Bowl Champion! He is doggone the greatest tight end in the doggone NFL!’ I was saying everything he should’ve said. I was like, ‘He’s on my list, come on Travis!’”

Kelce hosted the Mar. 4, 2023 edition of “Saturday Night Live” last year, less than a month after the Chiefs beat older brother Jason and the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl 57. Kelce joined a long list of NFL icons that had the honors of hosting the timeless show — a list that includes Peyton and Eli Manning, Tom Brady, Deion Sanders and J.J. Watt.

The 34-year-old Kelce had two touchdowns in last week’s AFC Divisional Round victory against the Buffalo Bills, leading Kansas City to its sixth straight AFC Championship Game appearance. The defending champions now travel to Baltimore to take on Lamar Jackson and the top-seeded Ravens at AT&T Stadium.