Country music star Chase Rice recently opened up about a memorable encounter with one of his greatest inspirations, Taylor Swift. The 40-year-old singer revealed during an interview that the meeting happened unexpectedly at the Tight End University event in June, hosted by Travis Kelce. Rice admitted he almost skipped the opportunity, but it turned out to be one of the most meaningful experiences of his career.
Taylor, 35, had given a surprise performance at the event and later invited Rice to join her for a chat. At first, he hesitated, telling her he needed to prepare for a songwriting session with Lori McKenna the next day. To his surprise, Taylor responded enthusiastically, sharing her admiration for McKenna’s work. That genuine reaction convinced him to stay, and the two ended up talking for nearly 45 minutes.
According to Rice, their conversation flowed naturally as they discussed music, career milestones, and mutual respect. He recalled how Taylor once tweeted about his breakout hit Cruise, which gave his career an early boost. “It was really a full-circle moment,” Rice said, noting how important it was to thank her for that support.
What struck Rice most was Taylor’s humility despite her superstar status. He explained, “She has this way of making you feel like you’re not talking to Taylor Swift the global icon—you’re just talking to Taylor, the friend.”
For Rice, the meeting was not just about music but also about genuine human connection, leaving him deeply inspired.