Kylie Kelce, a 32-year-old high school field hockey coach and wife of former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce and sister-in-law of NFL star Travis Kelce, has made waves in the podcasting world with her new show “Not Gonna Lie.” The podcast quickly climbed to the top of both Apple and Spotify’s charts, surpassing the long-dominant “The Joe Rogan Experience.”
“Not Gonna Lie” debuted on December 5, 2024, and within its first week achieved 25 million combined audio downloads and social media views and the #1 spot on Apple Podcasts. It has alternated between first and second place with Joe Rogan on Spotify.
This remarkable success has been attributed to Kelce’s candid approach and relatable content, focusing on topics such as motherhood and women’s roles in sports.
Despite the attention, Kylie Kelce maintains a humble and focused attitude. “I couldn’t care less about the charts,” said Kelce vis The New York Times. I’m focused on putting out content that people like to consume.”
Kelce prefers maintaining a low profile and finds amusement in not being recognized. Of particular significance, she caps her episodes at 45 minutes, considering the busy schedules of her primarily female audience.
The podcast’s success has sparked various reactions. Joe Rogan fans and some sports radio hosts have expressed confusion and criticism. And Kelce addressed her critics, particularly those asking “Who the f— is Kylie Kelce?” by pointing out the irony of increasing her visibility through their comments.
Kelce’s success might indicate changing listener preferences in the podcast world. Her show focuses on relatable topics with a casual, conversational approach and offers an alternative to the typically male-dominated top podcast charts.
The success can be partly attributed to increased public interest in the Kelce family, including her brother-in-law Travis Kelce’s relationship with Taylor Swift. Of course, her critics will say she’s popular due to her connection with Swift but getting there is what counts.
While Kylie Kelce’s podcast has made a significant impact, it’s worth noting that Joe Rogan still commands a larger overall audience, with 16.3 million followers compared to Kelce’s 172,000. Nonetheless, “Not Gonna Lie” represents a fresh voice in the podcasting landscape, resonating strongly with its target audience.