John Calipari admits faking phone use to avoid meeting Taylor Swift

Arkansas basketball coach John Calipari revealed that he pretended to be using his phone to avoid introducing himself to Taylor Swift during the NBA Finals.

Speaking on the ‘Eye on College Basketball’ podcast, Calipari described feeling intimidated by the singer while attending a celebrity gathering at Madison Square Garden. Although he felt comfortable interacting with other famous guests, such as Adam Sandler and Chris Rock, he admitted he was too nervous to approach Swift.

Calipari explained that he used his phone as a way to appear occupied and avoid an awkward encounter. He later acknowledged the missed opportunity in an Instagram post, noting his hesitation to meet the entertainer.