Kayla Nicole, the ex-girlfriend of NFL star Travis Kelce, has made it clear that if they happen to cross paths in public, there won’t be any friendly greetings. During a candid conversation on basketball star Angel Reese’s Unapologetically Angel podcast, Nicole shared how she would handle an encounter with Kelce.
“I’ll probably just hit him with a head nod. That’s about it,” Nicole revealed on the Thursday episode. When asked to elaborate, she explained that while they have been in the same public spaces before, there’s a mutual understanding between them that communication isn’t an option.
“I think we’re both aware of the nature of his new situation, and there’s just no room for us to communicate or acknowledge each other publicly without it being spun into something crazy,” Nicole added.
Though she didn’t name anyone specifically, Nicole’s reference to Kelce’s “new situation” is widely believed to be about his high-profile relationship with global pop superstar Taylor Swift. Since Kelce and Swift went public with their romance in September 2023, their relationship has been closely scrutinized by the media and fans alike.
Despite the awkwardness that comes with potentially running into her ex, Nicole had kind words to say about her time with Kelce. “He’s a great guy. That was a good time in my life,” she said, reflecting positively on their relationship.
Nicole, 32, and the Kansas City Chiefs tight end, 35, began dating in 2017 and had an on-and-off relationship for five years. While their romance ended long before Kelce started dating Swift, Nicole has found herself at the center of intense online criticism from some of Swift’s fans. Ever since Kelce and Swift became a couple, Nicole has been the target of negative comments from Swift’s fanbase, with many attacking her appearance and character.
Nicole addressed the online hate during the podcast, acknowledging the impact it has had on her. “I would be lying if I said that level of hate and online chaos doesn’t impact me. It does, even to this day,” she admitted. “You can go to my most recent post, and people are debating why I am worthless, why I’ll never be talented, and that I have no career.”
Nicole also theorized why she’s been subjected to such backlash. “I think there’s something about that level of fame that attracts crazy people,” she said. “It’s unfortunate because I’ve never done anything to warrant that kind of negativity.”
Neither Taylor Swift nor Travis Kelce has publicly commented on the hate Nicole has received from Swift’s fans. Meanwhile, Nicole has continued to defend herself, including clapping back at a troll last month who insulted her appearance.
In January 2023, Kelce confirmed that he and Nicole had parted ways, while also addressing long-standing rumors that he had made her split bills during their relationship. “Don’t buy into that s—t,” Kelce said during an appearance on The Pivot podcast.
“I would never say that I was supporting her. She had a very financially stable life with what she was doing in her career,” he clarified, adding, “But you’ve got to be crazy if you think I never helped or gave her a couple thousand to grab some food, or she gave me some money to go get some food.”
Kelce emphasized that their financial arrangements were never a point of contention during their five-year relationship. “We were in a relationship for five years. A hundred dollars here, a hundred dollars there wasn’t even thought about.”
While their romantic relationship has long been over, it’s clear that both Kayla Nicole and Travis Kelce have moved on in their own ways—though for Nicole, navigating the fallout of Kelce’s new public romance has come with its own set of challenges.
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