Her strategic foresight rivals that of any legendary detective—always a step ahead in shaping the narrative and expertly engaging her fan base. Yet, it seems Taylor Swift’s well-laid plans have encountered an unforeseen snag, courtesy of her close friend, Selena Gomez.

Despite their 17-year bond, Gomez has reportedly thrown a wrench in Swift’s early wedding plans with fiancé Travis Kelce. Sources have revealed to the Daily Mail that the 33-year-old Gomez has declined multiple invitations from Swift to join the bridal party.

Having recently celebrated her own enchanting wedding to Benny Blanco in September, Gomez is reportedly wary of diverting attention from Swift on her special day, should she assume the role of bridesmaid. This is despite Swift, aged 35, having delivered a heartfelt speech at Gomez’s wedding festivities in Montecito.

“Taylor asked Selena to be a bridesmaid, but Selena expressed concerns that it might overshadow the bride on her big day,” an insider shared. “However, Taylor is persistent and isn’t accepting ‘no’ as an answer.”

‘Taylor asked Selena to be a bridesmaid but Selena told her it could take too much of the focus away from her on her big day,’ one insider said. ‘But Taylor won’t give up. She’s not taking no for an answer.

‘She’s asked Selena a few times and has got a “no, but I love you” reply.’

Insiders have told the Daily Mail that Selena Gomez has turned down ‘bestie’ Taylor Swift’s multiple invitations to be her bridesmaid at her upcoming nuptials to Travis Kelce 

Gomez, 33, is said to be conscious of stealing the spotlight and wants the day to be all about Swift, 35, and Kelce, 36

As one of the most followed people on Instagram – Gomez has 416 million followers, some 135 million more than Swift – and as someone who frequently treats fans to life updates, it is perhaps no surprise that she is fearful of stealing her best friend’s thunder.

After all, Swift adopted a low key approach to Gomez’s recent nuptials, jetting into California alone from Kansas City before being covertly ushered into the glamorous Rosewood Miramar hotel so as not to be spotted.

She posted nothing from the big day – which took place at nearby Sea Crest Nursery, a 17-acre palm-filled paradise spilling onto the Santa Barbara cliffside – and only featured in the odd picture and video shared by the bride herself.

Swift attended the nuptials as a guest, not a bridesmaid, but did pay tribute to her close pal with a tear-jerker speech at the reception, during which she avoided any mention of her own upcoming wedding. 

‘So I did make a speech but I actually made a point not to mention anything about my engagement,’ the 35-year-old Grammy winner told Jimmy Fallon on his talk show back in October.

‘Nobody wants you to be like, “Hey, I know this is your wedding day but…” I was like “don’t mention it, maybe turn it [her engagement ring] around”.’

Despite her alleged reservations about being a bridesmaid, Gomez, like Swift, is planning to honor her close pal with a speech.

‘Selena and Benny will definitely be there on Taylor and Travis’ big day,’ our insider said. ‘In fact, Selena’s already worked on her speech, which she’s confiding is a tough job after the beautiful one Taylor did at her wedding.

Swift attended Gomez’s wedding (pictured) to Benny Blanco in September as a guest, but did pay tribute to her close pal with a tear-jerker speech, later revealing she chose to avoid any mention of her own engagement

‘Taylor’s pretty persuasive and has told Selena she’s not giving up asking,’ our insider said (Gomez and Swift pictured in 2023) 

‘Selena intends to attend as a guest and stay as much out of the spotlight as possible. However, the bridesmaid issue is not dead in the water. Taylor’s pretty persuasive and has told Selena she’s not giving up asking.’

For now, Swift’s wedding planning is tightly under wraps, with no location or date confirmed, although some reports have claimed she is planning to say ‘I do’ at her sprawling $17 million Rhode Island mansion which has played host to her famous Fourth of July parties.

But if the engagement is any indication of what’s to come, fans can expect a no expenses spared affair – with an ungodly amount of flowers.

NFL star Kelce, 36, popped the question in August – two years after the couple first went public – with a suitably massive diamond engagement ring worth an estimated $1 million. 

The happy pair were snapped in a garden of roses. One picture showed the tight-end on one knee looking up adoringly at his wife-to-be.

Theirs was a romance fit for a Hollywood film: a world famous singer falls for a hunky football champion after he makes her a friendship bracelet and goes public with his affection for her on his podcast.

This was back in summer 2023 when Swift was fresh out of her short-lived dalliance with 1975 front man Matty Healy – who seemingly featured heavily on her 2024 album The Tortured Poets Department. Before Healy, she had dated British actor Joe Alwyn for six years. 

Kelce popped the question in August – two years after they first went public – with a suitably massive diamond engagement ring worth an estimated $1 million  

Gomez and Swift first struck up a friendship in 2008 (pictured that year at the Another Cinderella Story premiere)

By August 2023, Swift was a regular fixture at Kansas City Chiefs games, cheering on her man alongside his mother Donna Kelce and getting pally with Brittany Mahomes – the wife of Kelce’s teammate Patrick Mahomes.

When the Super Bowl rolled around in February 2024, a red-lipped Swift stole the show when she ran onto the pitch to kiss her man in celebration of his victory. He later made a surprise appearance on stage as part of her Eras Tour and struggled to stifle his love for the global megastar.

In August, just weeks before their engagement, Swift made her podcast debut on Kelce’s New Heights, which he cohosts with his brother Jason Kelce.

She used the platform to announce her new album, The Life of a Showgirl, which features several nods to – and innuendos about – Kelce and was written at a time when she was in an ‘infectiously joyful, wild, dramatic place’. 

So, with all the joy it is no surprise she may want her best friend to walk down the aisle with her.

Afterall they have been friends since 2008, when they met through the Jonas Brothers. They have championed one another’s achievements and career milestones ever since, teaming up at awards shows, on stage and sharing snippets of their enduring bond with fans on Instagram. When Gomez announced her engagement, Swift publicly offered to be the flower girl.

But what could become of their friendship if Gomez rejects Swift’s invitation to be a bridesmaid?

‘Taylor wants Selena to be a major part of her day,’ said a second insider. ‘Taylor is a planner and is very good at sealing everything she wants to do to become a reality. She intends to break her down, but if for some reason Selena continues to not want to do it, it could lead to a strain on their friendship.’ 

But, according to our source, ‘no one is anticipating this’.