A new fan fiction novel imagining a romance between pop star Taylor Swift and NFL player Travis Kelce has sparked backlash online for making readers uncomfortable.
Author Ivy Smoak self-published “Roughing the Princess” just days after dating rumors ignited about Swift and Kelce. The book is described as a steamy fictional tale based on their speculated relationship.
Smoak claimed she forfeited sleep for three days to quickly write the 122-page novel. She has penned successful romance series before but this marked her first celebrity-inspired fiction.
The novel blew up on TikTok, but many readers expressed unease about its intimate scenes between characters based on real people. Some reviewers said the “cheap ripoff” made them feel like they’d read a private personal video.
Others called the book “really weird” and said it “crossed a line.” A few defended it as fun fantasy fiction, but most deemed it an invasion of privacy exploiting gossip.
Critics said they wanted a romance merely inspired by the stars, not including direct quotes or explicit moments. The book differs from typical fan fiction focusing on fictional worlds and characters.
Using real people’s names and personalities in sexual situations provoked backlash. Some felt Smoak aimed more for money and attention than crafting quality fiction.
The controversy reflects larger debates around celebrity fan fiction and ethics. Most sites prohibit stories based on real people without consent due to privacy concerns.
For authors, the allure is capitalizing on tabloid fodder, but critics argue fantasy should remain in the realm of imagination. By borrowing fame rather than inventing characters, legal and ethical lines get hazier.
While Smoak is no longer promoting “Roughing the Princess,” its rapid creation and release betrayed questionable judgment to many readers. Consensus holds that celebrity gossip alone does not justify intrusive fictional accounts.
However, the novel also represents fan fiction’s pull as an outlet for zeitgeist-capturing creativity outside traditional publishing. Smoak’s execution clearly missed the mark, but the impulse stems from a deeper cultural fascination.
Ultimately, most agree fiction should not hijack real lives without consent. The backlash against “Roughing the Princess” underscores that while celebrity may inspire imagination, individuals still deserve privacy and control over their narratives.
