What is 'Christmas in The Spotlight'? Exploring the Lifetime holiday movie inspired by Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce romance

American singer Taylor Swift's real-life romance with NFL star Travis Kelce is drawing attention for its striking resemblance to Christmas in the Spotlight, the latest addition to Lifetime's 2024 "It's a Wonderful Lifetime" holiday slate.

Starring Jessica Lord and Laith Wallschleger, the movie will center on a romance that flourishes under the pressures of fame, much like the highly publicized relationship between Taylor Swift and Kelce.

PEOPLE exclusively confirmed that Christmas in the Spotlight will feature the story of Bowyn, a popular musician played by Lord, who meets a professional football player named Drew (Wallschleger) backstage at one of her shows.

Their initial connection blossoms into a romantic journey that faces challenges from their high-profile lives, a story many will find familiar to Taylor Swift and Kelce's budding relationship.

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A romance mirroring Taylor Swift's high-profile love story

According to the official synopsis, Bowyn, despite her fame and music centered around love, has yet to find "Mr. Right." Her hectic schedule makes it almost impossible to date until she crosses paths with Drew, who attends her concert with his niece. Sparks fly between them, and Drew publicly declares his crush on Bowyn, leading them to embark on a romantic adventure.

As their relationship grows, the couple struggles with the inevitable media frenzy.

"With people questioning if their feelings for each other are real or just for show, the pressure mounts from the press, paparazzi, their fans and even their family," the film's logline explains.

With the holiday season as a backdrop, Bowyn and Drew must decide whether their love can withstand the pressures of fame or if it will "go down in flames."

The holiday movie will also feature Jeannie Mai, the Emmy award-winning host and producer, as Bowyn’s manager, and TikTok influencer Haley Kalil in her television debut as Drew’s sister-in-law. The talented ensemble promises to bring the story to life while capturing the joy and drama associated with a whirlwind romance under the spotlight.

Christmas in the Spotlight might not be an official biopic of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, but the similarities are hard to ignore. The timeline of their relationship began in July 2023, when Kelce was spotted attending Swift's Eras tour at Arrowhead Stadium.

He later revealed on his New Heights podcast that he had planned to give Taylor Swift a bracelet with his phone number on it but failed to connect with her at the concert.

"I was disappointed that she doesn't talk before or after her shows because she has to save her voice for the 44 songs she sings," Kelce shared, hinting at his admiration.

Romance rumors swirled when Taylor Swift was seen cheering Travis Kelce at a Kansas City Chiefs game in September 2023. Swift later confirmed in an interview with Time that they were already dating by then, adding that Kelce’s public declaration on his podcast was "metal as hell."

This real-life love story echoes the narrative of Bowyn and Drew, a romance that begins with a public declaration, faces media scrutiny, and ultimately leads the couple to question whether their relationship can survive under the bright lights of fame. It's no wonder that Taylor Swift and Kelce’s love story has been viewed as the inspiration behind the film.

Lifetime's Christmas in the Spotlight is set to air later this year as part of the network's annual holiday programming. It will compete with Hallmark's Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story, which is also set to feature the NFL world prominently and will even incorporate Arrowhead Stadium, where Taylor Swift and Kelce’s romance first took root.

Behind the scenes, Eirene Tran Donohue, a seasoned writer for Lifetime, penned the script, with Michelle Ouellet directing. Off Camera Entertainment is producing the film, and a talented team of executive producers, including Stephanie Slack, Margret Huddleston, Richard Foster, and Chet Fenster, is ensuring this holiday movie will bring festive cheer and drama to viewers.

Taylor Swift is deeply engaged in her Eras Tour, a monumental success worldwide. Parallelly, Travis Kelce is busy focusing on his NFL career with the Kansas City Chiefs, preparing for the 2024 NFL season.