Celebrity4 min(s) read
Published 12:19 07 Jul 2026 GMT
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's star-studded New York wedding has been the subject of mass interest, but attention has now shifted from the guest list's notable absences to one unexpected attendee who has sparked criticism online.
The couple exchanged vows at Madison Square Garden on July 3 in front of around 1,000 guests, with actor Adam Sandler officiating the ceremony.
Their lavish celebration brought together an A-list crowd that included Hollywood stars, musicians, athletes and close friends, while fans eagerly picked apart every detail, from Swift's custom Dior wedding gown to the celebrity-filled guest list.
Initially, much of the conversation focused on who wasn't there.
Longtime friends Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds were noticeably absent amid reports that Swift's friendship with the actress had cooled following Lively's legal dispute with It Ends With Us director and co-star Justin Baldoni.
Instead of attending the festivities, Lively and Reynolds were spotted supporting their daughter Betty at a horse show in Lake Placid, New York. According to People, the couple skipped both the rehearsal dinner and the wedding, while Page Six reported Swift had ultimately decided not to invite them after months of reported tension.
The guest list instead featured famous names including Selena Gomez, Gigi Hadid, Bradley Cooper, Dakota Johnson, Ed Sheeran, Hugh Grant, and Kelsea Ballerini. Swift's brother Austin served as her man of honour, while Travis' brother, Jason Kelce, was his best man.
However, in the days following the wedding, online discussion has moved away from the missing guests and onto one attendee whose presence has prompted backlash.
As fans combed through reports of everyone who attended the ceremony, one lesser-known guest quickly became the subject of debate.
According to Grazia, reports identifying the attendee led to criticism across social media, with some fans questioning why he had been invited.
One X user reportedly wrote: "I'm sorry, but this can't be overlooked."
Another argued Swift's team should have carried out more extensive background checks before finalizing the guest list.
The guest was Steven Demetriou, Executive Chair of engineering and government contractor Amentum and the former CEO of Jacobs Engineering.
Demetriou is also the adoptive father of Reggie King, who is reportedly one of Travis Kelce's childhood friends.
Several Reddit users pointed out that both the Kelce family and Demetriou's family have longstanding connections to Ohio, suggesting he attended as part of Kelce's wider circle rather than through any close relationship with Swift.
One X user reportedly explained: "He was in the wedding because he's the adoptive father of one of Travis's childhood friends, Reggie King. Taylor's team should have done a background check on him though."
Another defended the couple, writing: "That is entirely on her team. He was invited as a family member of one of Travis's close friends that he grew up with… There's no reason to think she knows her husband's friend's dad's job."
Others argued that, with a guest list reportedly nearing 1,000 people, it would be unrealistic to expect Swift and Kelce to personally vet every guest's professional background.
Demetriou's presence attracted attention because of Amentum's recent involvement with a US immigration detention facility.
Earlier this year, the company secured a contract to operate Camp East Montana, an ICE detention center in Texas.
The facility has since faced allegations over conditions inside the centre, along with reports of detainee deaths, placing Amentum under increased public scrutiny.
Some fans questioned whether Swift, who has previously spoken publicly about human rights and supported Democratic candidates, would knowingly invite someone associated with the company.
In 2018, Swift publicly endorsed Democratic candidates for the first time, saying she would "always cast my vote based on which candidate will protect and fight for the human rights I believe we all deserve."
She also criticized Donald Trump during a 2019 interview with The Guardian, saying America should remain a place where people are free to "disagree, dissent, debate."
Meanwhile, Travis Kelce has rarely spoken extensively about politics, though he has previously supported COVID-19 vaccination campaigns, voiced support for Black Lives Matter and participated in NFL national anthem demonstrations.
His sister-in-law, Kylie Kelce, has also said her political views "aggressively lean" to the left.
Because of the couple's public image, some fans questioned whether Demetriou's attendance reflected the values they associate with Swift and Kelce.
Neither Swift nor Kelce has publicly addressed the criticism surrounding the guest list or commented on the online backlash.
