Travis Kelce Worked With an Acting Coach for Months Before ‘Grotesquerie’ Shoot and ‘Knew Everybody’s Lines,’ Says Ryan Murphy

Instead of relaxing after winning the Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs, Travis Kelce decided to apply for other jobs — this time, in Hollywood.

“Grotesquerie” co-creator and director Ryan Murphy said in a virtual press conference on Monday that he had a general meeting with Kelce in which the NFL star “said he was interested in getting into acting.”

“We were talking about his future and what does he want to do after football season, and I was just kind of giving him some fatherly advice,” Murphy said. “I always have a motto in my world and in my work, that a star is a star is a star. It doesn’t matter what field you’re a star in. If you have that charisma, you are going to bring it to whatever you do.”

Murphy said it was a “lovely” meeting, which he ended by telling Kelce, “I’ll keep you in mind, and maybe we’ll come up with something,” to which Kelce pushed back and said, “No, I want to do it now. I have three months now and I really would love to have anything.”

At the time, Murphy was just starting pre-production on “Grotesquerie,” his latest limited series for FX about a detective, played by Niecy Nash-Betts, uncovering a string of heinous crimes that feel eerily personal to her. Murphy told Kelce, “I have this one part, and if you’re interested I will specifically write it and tailor it for you.”

Once Kelce agreed, it was “off to the races,” said Murphy. “The thing about Travis is, I directed the first episode he did with Niecy, and Niecy and I just instantly loved him and took him by the hand and let him know that he would not, could not fail. And he really was amazing.”

Murphy added that Kelce worked with an acting coach for “several months” leading up to the shoot, which took place in between football seasons.

“He showed up off book. He knew everybody’s lines,” Murphy said. “He was so professional. He was so committed. He kept saying to me, ‘I’m real coachable, coach me, coach me.’ So I did, and he ended up being a delight. I would love to continue working with him on this and other things. I cannot say enough about him as a leader. He’s just the kindest, sweetest. … Everything you think about him is true.”

“Grotesquerie” premieres on FX on Sept. 25. The series also stars Courtney B. Vance, Lesley Manville, Micaela Diamond, Nicholas Alexander Chavez and Raven Goodwin.

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