Tom Cruise Discusses New Movie Digger and Taylor Swift on The Tonight Show
- Tom Cruise revealed that Taylor Swift schooled him on football while the two megastars sat next to each other at the Kansas City Chiefs season opener, according to...
- According to Us Magazine, Cruise mentioned that he had not attended a live football game since before the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Beyond sports, Cruise and Swift discussed music and filmmaking during their time together at the stadium.
Tom Cruise revealed that Taylor Swift schooled him on football while the two megastars sat next to each other at the Kansas City Chiefs season opener, according to an interview on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
During his appearance on the late-night program on Thursday, September 17, the 64-year-old actor discussed his outing at the game, where the Chiefs faced the Denver Broncos on Monday, September 14, per Us Magazine. Host Jimmy Fallon described the seating arrangement as the biggest movie star in the world next to the biggest artist in the world, prompting Cruise to share details of their conversation.
“She was schooling me on football. For real,” Cruise told Fallon, as reported by Yahoo Entertainment. The actor added that Swift brought serious sports knowledge to the stands, breaking down plays and explaining game tactics.
Football Insights and Prior Meetings
According to Us Magazine, Cruise mentioned that he had not attended a live football game since before the COVID-19 pandemic. Swift, meanwhile, has grown deeply familiar with the sport throughout her relationship with Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, whom she began dating in 2023.
Cruise recalled Swift explaining specific player dynamics during the matchup. “She knew nothing about football when she met Travis,” Cruise said, according to Yahoo. “It was like her [saying], ‘What was it like playing against your brother, tackling each other?’ She said, ‘You know, he’s so patient.’ I said, ‘I’m sure he was!’… She knows [football]. She’s just bringing it.”
The September football game marks the latest in a series of public interactions between the two stars. Cruise attended Swift’s Eras Tour at London’s Wembley Stadium in June 2024, where Yahoo and Us Magazine reported he traded friendship bracelets with fans in the VIP section. Later, Cruise was among the guests who attended Swift and Kelce’s July 3 wedding at Madison Square Garden in New York City, an event officiated by Adam Sandler.
Praise for Swift’s Career and Film Ambitions
Beyond sports, Cruise and Swift discussed music and filmmaking during their time together at the stadium. Cruise offered high praise for the Grammy-winning artist’s creative range.
“First of all, she’s a genius. I’ve been following her since she was a kid,” Cruise said, as noted by Yahoo. “Everybody there, all their friends — they’re a beautiful couple and magical in their own right.”
Cruise also highlighted Swift’s work behind the camera, pointing to her experience directing music videos and her 2021 short film All Too Well.
Promoting Digger and Late-Night Appearance
Cruise appeared on the talk show primarily to discuss his new movie, Digger,
directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu. During the conversation, Fallon asked about internet rumors suggesting the project might be a musical.
“No, but I think it’s a very good idea,” Cruise laughed, according to Yahoo. “I think we should do ‘Digger’ the musical. Digger down!” The host and actor then briefly joked and danced in their seats.
Cruise’s promotional tour for Digger
continues with an appearance on Travis and Jason Kelce’s New Heights
podcast, which is scheduled to release on Friday, September 18.
