- Kelce and Nicole dated on and off from 2017 to 2022.
- Nicole responded to the engagement by promoting joy and family news.
- She has faced significant online harassment since their breakup.
- Nicole is now focused on her podcast, fitness brand, and personal growth.
The recent engagement of Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift has reawakened interest in Kelce’s past relationships, especially his on-again, off-again romance with sports broadcaster Kayla Nicole.
Their five-year relationship, which ended in 2022, is an important part of the NFL star’s dating history before he found love with the global pop icon.
Kayla Nicole’s Cryptic Post After Swift Engagement
After the official engagement announcement between Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift on August 26, 2025, Kayla Nicole shared a thoughtful message on her Instagram Stories. She reposted a video of actress Tracee Ellis Ross discussing the idea of joy and added her own reflective caption.
“I read about this very concept years ago in a book called Choose Joy: Because Happiness Isn’t Enough. I aspire! So so good.” Kayla Nicole on Instagram Stories
Many viewed this post as her indirect response to the news, focusing on personal growth and inner peace rather than public scrutiny. Nicole has previously discussed the challenges of handling a public breakup and the ongoing comparisons that followed.
The On-Again, Off-Again Five-Year Relationship
Travis Kelce and Kayla Nicole’s relationship started in 2017 after she sent him a direct message on Instagram. Kelce had initially shown interest by liking her photos, which led Nicole to reach out first with what she called “a little liquid courage and a pep talk.”
Their relationship included several red carpet appearances, like the ESPYs and Paris Fashion Week, but it was also punctuated by brief separations. They broke up in 2020 amid rumors of infidelity, which Kelce strongly denied on social media.
“This is fake news, a lie, and not why Kayla and I broke up. Take all your hatred somewhere else, please.” Travis Kelce on X (formerly Twitter)
The couple reconciled later that year, but ultimately parted ways for good in May 2022.
Nicole’s Emotional Challenges and Public Scrutiny
The end of her long-term relationship with the NFL star put Kayla Nicole in an intense and often harsh public spotlight. She has been open about the emotional strain this caused, especially with the added pressure of constant comparisons to Taylor Swift.
“Going through a public breakup, just to be frank, it’s been overwhelming. I’ve never experienced anything like it. It’s pretty constant and exhausting.” Kayla Nicole on ‘Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test’
She also talked about the racial harassment she faced from some online trolls, sharing a powerful message of resilience for her followers.
Denials of Cheating and Financial Rumors
Their breakup was surrounded by various rumors, including allegations of cheating and claims that money issues played a role. Kelce denied the cheating rumor during the 2020 split, and both denied a report from Barstool Sports that suggested their 2022 breakup occurred because Kelce was “cheap” and made Nicole pay for half of everything. Kelce described the financial rumors on a podcast, calling them absurd.
“You’ve got to be crazy if you think I would never help or gave her a couple thousand to grab some food. We were in a relationship for five years. A hundred dollars here, a hundred dollars there wasn’t even thought about.” Travis Kelce on ‘The Pivot Podcast’
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Last Updated on August 29, 2025 by 247 News Around The World
