Travis Kelce 'Owes'SNLCast Member Punkie Johnson 'Forever' After She Helped Get Him Into anSNLAfterparty

Mar. 15, 2025

Punkie Johnson (left) and Travis Kelce.Photo:Lloyd Bishop/NBC; Leon Bennett/Getty

Lloyd Bishop/NBC; Leon Bennett/Getty

Travis Kelcehas become more of a household name than ever in the months since his relationship withTaylor Swiftbegan, but he hasn’t always been all that recognizable.

Johnson, 38, recalled security telling him, “‘You can’t get in, bro, you’re not on the list,'” after Kelce had “come to the show” earlier that night.

“And I’m sitting up there like, ‘Why isn’t he listing his resume?’ ‘Cause I’m onSNL, I’m like a D-list celebrity and I would’ve been like, ‘I’m onSNL! I knowLorne Michaels!’ But he was just sitting up there just being so innocent, like, ‘Oh my gosh, should I call someone?’”

SNL cast member Punkie Johnson and Travis Kelce.Punkie Johnson/ Instagram

Punkie Johnson/ Instagram

Johnson then took it upon herself to rescue the Kansas City Chiefs tight end and make security aware of just who they were denying.

“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!’”

The pair then became “forceful friends,” Johnson joked. “I was like, ‘You’re gonna take pictures with me every time you see me. I’m gonna be heavily a part of your life. We’re having children together — like you owe me for this party forever, bro.’"

Travis Kelce hosting ‘Saturday Night Live’ on March 4, 2023.Will Heath/NBC via Getty

Will Heath/NBC via Getty

The comedian and Kelce’s friendship has lasted since their afterparty meet-cute, and Johnson said on theSaturday Night Networkpodcast in October of the NFL player, “That’s my boy.”

She also commented on his latestSNLappearance, which had come just days before on the Oct. 14 episode. He and Swift hadsurprised viewers as he stepped in for a scenethat poked fun at their relationship while Swift introduced the night’s musical guest,Ice Spice.

“They are very, very cute. And he is a gentleman,” Johnson said of the couple, before she joked, “I told Taylor, I’m like, ‘Call me if he get out of line.’"

Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift arrive at an ‘SNL’ afterparty on October 15, 2023 in New York City.Gotham/GC Images

Gotham/GC Images

The appearance came as a shock not only to viewers, but also to theSNLcast, like Johnson. “It was a surprise to the audience and staff, no one knew they were there,” a source told PEOPLE at the time.

Afterwards,they attended the afterparty together— Kelce likely didn’t have any trouble getting in this time around — and were “so smiley” and “happy” together, another source said. “They were so talkative. They were really fun.”

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On his podcast,New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce, the following week,the tight end said it was “spectacular"to return to the late-night comedy sketch show.

“It was electric to be back in that place,” he said, before admitting he couldn’t “remember” what he said in his cameo. “I blacked out. As soon as they queued to me, the entire place erupted, which was very overwhelming.”

source: people.com