Ryan Murphy Was 'Moved' by Travis Kelce's 'Ambition' Before Writing Part Specifically for Him in Grotesquerie

Travis Kelce knows how to market himself.

The Kansas City Chiefs tight end, 34, is making his television debut in the Ryan Murphy movie Grotesquenessand the genius behind the play lifts the curtain on how Kelce got involved in the first place.

“It was very unexpected,” Murphy said Party tonight. “I didn’t know Travis and thought we were just having a general meeting.”

During the meeting, Murphy, 58, said Kelce “was so passionate about wanting to try [acting]and I always have a theory that goes: ‘A star is a star is a star.’ And he’s a big star – in every arena.”

Travis Kelce was given the ‘automatic green light’ by Niecy Nash-Betts Grotesqueness: ‘She adores him’ (Exclusive Source)

“I was just moved by him and his ambition and wanted to try it, and he’s a guy who likes to do new things,” Murphy said.

The meeting prompted the Emmy winner to offer Kelce a role in Grotesquerie, which he said he “wrote” especially for him. “We had a ball, and he’s just the most wonderful person.”

FX Networks/Youtube

“He appeared out of the book. He knew all of his lines, he knew all of Niecy [Nash-Betts]”, Murphy told the outlet. “And he was a little nervous at first — as, I think, I would be.”

Nash-Betts, 54, echoed what Murphy said, as she told PEOPLE ahead of the show’s premiere that Kelce was “lovely to have on set” and that she “always came prepared.”

“Travis was very open. He was very open when given a note or a suggestion. So amenable. ‘Tell me what I don’t know. Tell me what you think about this.’ I like that he didn’t come in trying to act like, ‘I know everything and I know everything.'”

She also teased that “fans will find him very charming” on the show.

Travis Kelce is ‘awesome’ Grotesquenesssays Costar Nicholas Chavez: ‘The guy’s a star’ (Exclusive)

on Grotesqueness premiere in New York on September 23, Travis’ mom Donna Kelce also reflected on the traits that helped her son as he stepped into this new world.

“He’s pretty good at almost everything he does because he has a good work ethic,” she told PEOPLE. “He’s very trainable.”

“I think it’s something that’s always been in the back of his mind,” continued Donna, 71. “I just think that the thought, ‘If I get a chance [like this]I’d like to try.'”

Nicholas Chavez, Courtney B. Vance, Ryan Murphy, Dana Walden, Niecy Nash Betts, Micaela Diamond and Raven Goodwin at the premiere of FX’s “Grotesquerie” held at Spring Studios on September 23, 2024 in New York City.

John Nacion/Variety via Getty

Details surrounding Travis’ character remain under wraps, but the thriller stars Niecy Nash-Betts as a small-town detective who feels haunted by a series of “heinous crimes” in her community. Also starring Courtney B. Vance, Raven Goodwin, Micaela Diamond and Nicholas Alexander Chavez.

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Grotesqueness premieres Wednesday, September 25 at 10:00 PM ET/PT on FX and will be available to stream the following day on Hulu.

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Source: HIS Education