Former NBA star Charles Barkley wasn’t concerned with attending Taylor Swift’s lavish wedding to NFL superstar Travis Kelce. While appearing on the “Unfiltered With Ricky Bo & Bill Colarulo” podcast, the 63-year-old revealed the precise reason he declined the invitation to the ceremony, which reportedly drew over 1,000 guests, including a flock of major A-listers.
Charles Barkley DECLINED An Invite To Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s Wedding
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— Unfiltered With Ricky Bo & Bill Colarulo (@975Unfiltered) July 7, 2026
Barkley, who played skilled basketball for the Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, and Houston Rockets, said that while he was invited to Swift and Kelce’s special occasion, he declined for a particular reason.
Based on 11x All-Star, he doesn’t attend “weddings or funerals.”
And that’s not all he needed to say in regards to the power couple’s big day. He also revealed that he politely declined the invite because he “thought it was gonna be a crap show.”
There’s More Behind Barkley’s Decision To Decline Taylor Swift’s Wedding Invitation
Barkley doesn’t want people to get it twisted, though. He said he has much love and respect for Kelce and his brother, former NFL player Jason Kelce. Despite their rapport, the “Contained in the NBA” host believed it was best for him to sit down out this event.
When he has time to himself, Barkley said he enjoys relaxing and playing golf. “I don’t wanna dress up and all that other stuff,” he said. “But I appreciate the invitation; it was pretty special.”
Barkley Previously Defended Taylor Swift Against ‘Losers’ Who Were Hating On The Pop Star
In February 2024, Barkley made headlines when he defended Swift against criticism that the NFL was spending an excessive amount of time promoting her during Kansas City Chiefs games. Based on The Hill, right-wing media personalities theorized that the skilled football league hoped to boost the icon’s star in order that she could endorse former President Joe Biden.
“In the event you’re screaming at Taylor Swift saying she ruined … you’re only a loser. You’re only a loser or a jack*ss,” Barkley said on his previous CNN show, “King Charles,” which he hosted with Gayle King. “You possibly can be A or B. One among the 2.”
Kelce also broke his silence on the backlash his then-girlfriend was receiving, calling the response “crazy” before saying he was “having fun” together with his recent boo. “And you recognize what, we’re slowly reeling ’em in. They’re just—they’re fighting it immediately,” he said, in accordance with Marie Claire.
Kelce went on to say how thankful he was for Swift’s public support, calling it a “beautiful thing,” before adding that Swift’s appearance at Arrowhead Stadium is nothing greater than a pair “supporting one another and having fun with it.”
He added, “And sure enough, I find it irresistible when Taylor comes and supports me, and enjoys the sport with the fam and friends. It’s been nothing but just an exquisite yr, man.”
Ryan Seacrest Also Had To Say No To Attending Swift And Kelce’s Latest York City Wedding
Swift and Kelce were married on July 3, 2026, at Latest York City’s Madison Square Garden, in accordance with a previous report from The Blast. The ceremony featured over 1,000 guests, including Jay-Z, Bradley Cooper, Ed Sheeran, Cooper Kupp, Kareem Hunt, and more. The marriage was officiated by comedian Adam Sandler.
The Blast also reported on Ryan Seacrest’s reason for turning down Swift and Kelce’s invitation. “I RSVP’d to go, after which Disney hired me to do the Fourth of July 250 special on the third and the 4th, so I needed to cancel,” the “American Idol” legend said on an episode of his radio show, “Ryan Seacrest Live.”
Seacrest Previously RSVP’d ‘Yes’ To The Wedding
Later within the show, Seacrest said he had previously RSVP’d yes to the marriage but had to vary it on the last minute due to work. And to make matters worse, the “Wheel of Fortune” personality said he bumped into Swift and Kelce in person after his initial response, telling them he was excited to attend the ceremony.
As he put it, though, there was nothing he could do in regards to the schedule change, noting that he’s contractually sure to host different events for the network after they call on him. “It’s a part of my job at Disney to do these items,” he said.