Kayla Nicole, a multifaceted sports journalist, fitness influencer, and media personality, has been navigating the complexities of public life with grace and resilience. Despite her accomplishments, she’s often reduced to a single label: “Travis Kelce’s ex-girlfriend.” In a recent appearance on the 2nd Wind podcast, Nicole expressed her frustration with this persistent narrative, urging the media and public to let go of her past relationship with the NFL star and recognize her for her own merits. Here’s a look at her journey to reclaim her identity and why her story resonates with so many.
Kayla Nicole and Travis Kelce, the Kansas City Chiefs tight end, dated on and off from 2017 to 2022. Their high-profile romance, which began with an Instagram DM, was marked by glamorous appearances at events like the 2018 ESPY Awards and shared moments with other NFL personalities, including Patrick and Brittany Mahomes. However, their breakup in 2022, followed by Kelce’s widely publicized relationship with Taylor Swift in 2023, thrust Nicole into an unwanted spotlight.
The media frenzy surrounding Kelce and Swift, coupled with intense scrutiny from Swift’s fanbase, known as “Swifties,” has made it challenging for Nicole to move forward. On the Unapologetically Angel podcast in October 2024, she opened up about the daily online hate she receives, stating, “I would be lying if I said that that level of hate and just online chaos didn’t impact me—it does. Even to this day.” Despite this, Nicole has remained professional, even when her job requires her to discuss Kelce, as seen during her sports betting segment on I Am Athlete Daily in October 2024.
In her 2nd Wind podcast appearance on May 6, 2025, Nicole addressed the media’s fixation on her past with Kelce head-on. “They’re going to have to stop calling me someone’s ex,” she said. “They’re going to have to just let it go.” She expressed annoyance at interviews that focus solely on their split, emphasizing her desire to be recognized for her own achievements. This sentiment echoes her earlier comments on her podcast, The Pre-Game, launched in April 2025 with Dear Media, where she declared, “I am like John Cena now. You don’t see me with a man, and you won’t ever see me with a man ever again until I’m married with kids.”
Nicole’s frustration is relatable. Many women in the public eye struggle to escape being defined by their relationships with famous men. By setting boundaries around her personal life, Nicole is taking a stand not just for herself but for others facing similar challenges. Her decision to keep her dating life private until she’s certain of a long-term partner reflects a commitment to protecting her peace, a choice she articulated as a way to “protect the things that mean most to me.”
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