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Taylor Swift slammed as ‘fakest’ New York Knicks fan by team player Tyler Kolek: ‘I’m going to get hate’
New York Knicks guard Tyler Kolek called Taylor Swift the team’s “fakest celeb fan”, saying her courtside appearance at one NBA Finals game seemed “a little bit performative”. The comments, made during a TikTok livestream, have renewed discussion about celebrity attendance at games and who counts as a genuine supporter.
Kolek said he had not seen Swift at other Knicks games, though he acknowledged she has a lot going on and cannot attend every match. Teammate Deuce McBride agreed with his assessment and cited Ben Stiller and Tracy Morgan as genuine fans; Kolek anticipated Swift’s fans would criticise him. Swift attended Game 4 of the Finals in June with Alana and Este Haim, as the Knicks beat the San Antonio Spurs on their way to their first championship in 53 years. Her representative did not immediately comment.
In short
- Tyler Kolek questioned Taylor Swift’s status as a Knicks fan.
- Swift attended one game during the Knicks’ championship run.
- Kolek called her courtside appearance performative.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Kolek’s view is that regular attendance and visible, sustained involvement are reasonable signs of genuine fandom, especially when celebrities receive attention for appearing at a major game. If Swift was seen only at a high-profile Finals match, he may regard the appearance as more performative than the support shown by fans who follow the team throughout the season.
The case against
A celebrity’s busy schedule does not make their support insincere, and missing other games is weak evidence that a person is not a genuine fan. Swift’s attendance could reflect real enthusiasm, while judging her motives from one public appearance risks confusing limited visibility with lack of support.
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