Travis Kelce, Taylor Swift-Inspired Movie Reveals Cast Starring ‘Fake Gronk’ Actor

Mike Chiari@@mikechiariFeatured Columnist IVOctober 16, 2024

Thomas Cooper/Getty Images

After going viral for his portrayal of legendary New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski in the FX Series American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez, actor Laith Wallschleger is set to play the role of another famous NFL tight end.

According to Emily Longeretta of Variety, Lifetime announced the cast Tuesday for its upcoming Christmas movie entitled Christmas in the Spotlight, which is based on the real-life relationship of Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and global pop sensation Taylor Swift, and it will feature Wallschleger.

Wallschleger will play the role of Drew, who is a professional football player and is heavily inspired by Kelce, while Jessica Lord will play Bowyn, who is a megastar musician like Swift.

The movie will debut on Nov. 23 as part of “It’s a Wonderful Lifetime,” which is Lifetime’s annual blitz of holiday movies that will run from Nov. 16 through Christmas Day.

Wallschleger recently put himself on the map with his over-the-top interpretation of Gronk in the FX series based on the rise and fall of late former Patriots tight end and convicted murderer Aaron Hernandez.

Gronkowski himself gave his take on Wallschleger’s acting chops during an appearance on Up & Adams with Kay Adams:

Up & Adams @UpAndAdamsShowWhat?? 🤯 It turns out the actor portraying @RobGronkowski on FX’s “American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez” is Rob’s friend and acting double Laith. 😂

Laith got us DYING over his accuracy of Gronk’s laugh. 🤣 💀@heykayadams pic.twitter.com/Cf3J0zhaef

Gronk divulged that he and Wallschleger are actually real-life friends, and he gave Wallschleger credit for a quality performance:

“It was definitely over the top. You want to know a fun fact about that clip? That is my good friend Laith who is playing me there. I’ve known him for about 14 years and he definitely went over the top, and I feel like it just fit the show perfectly though. Especially with all the other characters and Coach [Bill] Belichick and just seeing [Patriots owner] Robert Kraft in the show as well. Like I said, over the top, a little exaggerated, that’s for sure, but it played the part in how this show was produced.”

While Wallschleger was tasked with bringing Gronk to life in American Sports Story, he figures to have more creative license in Christmas in the Spotlight.

Rather than playing Kelce specifically, he is merely playing a character based on Kelce, so he will conceivably be able to put his own spin on it.

Even though Travis and Taylor won’t be mentioned by name in Christmas in the Spotlight, it figures to be Lifetime’s hottest movie of the season since Chiefs fans and Swifties alike will undoubtedly want to experience the the much ballyhooed romance in movie form.