Why Selena Gomez Didn’t Attend the 2025 Super Bowl with Taylor Swift

Selena Gomez and Taylor Swift have been best friends for years, but when it came to the 2025 Super Bowl, Gomez was noticeably absent from Swift’s VIP suite. Despite speculation that she would be there to support Swift’s boyfriend, Travis Kelce, Gomez had other commitments that kept her away from the big game.

Selena Gomez’s Prior Commitment at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival

Instead of traveling to New Orleans, where Swift was joined by Ice Spice, Ashley Avignone, and the Haim sisters, Gomez chose to stay in California. She was being honored at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s Virtuosos Awards, an event that celebrates standout performances in film.

The actress and singer was seen attending the festival on Sunday, proving that her career remains a top priority.

Selena Gomez’s Weekend Plans with Benny Blanco

While Swift was busy cheering on Travis Kelce at the Super Bowl, Gomez was spotted on a Disneyland date with her fiancé, Benny Blanco. The couple spent Friday evening enjoying the theme park, skipping the Critics Choice Awards despite being in Los Angeles at the time.

This wasn’t the first major event that Gomez skipped recently—she also missed the 2025 Grammy Awards, where Swift presented Beyoncé with the Country Album of the Year award.

A Private Reunion with Taylor Swift in Beverly Hills

Although Gomez missed the Super Bowl, she and Swift made sure to catch up earlier in the week. The two were seen having dinner at Negroni Caffe Bar in Beverly Hills. According to a restaurant spokesperson, they were “very sweet, giggly, and having fun”, enjoying a rare public outing together.

“They were able to relax and enjoy themselves without feeling like anybody was intruding on their privacy,” the rep shared. “They were very kind and conversational with the staff, which was really nice to see.”

Selena Gomez and Taylor Swift’s Long-Standing Friendship

Gomez and Swift have been friends since 2008, but much of their bond remains out of the public eye. In a WSJ Magazine interview, Gomez reflected on their friendship, saying:

“There’s so much of my friendship with Taylor that people don’t know about because we don’t necessarily feel the need to post about everything we do. She has shown up for me in ways that I would have never expected.”

Despite their busy schedules, their friendship remains strong and supportive, even if they don’t attend every event together.