Kayla Nicole, the sports broadcaster and ex-girlfriend of Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, revealed she has been single for three years following their 2022 breakup. In a recent TikTok appearance, Nicole reflected on her last relationship, describing it as a case of the “right person, wrong time.”
Nicole, 34, appeared on content creator Ace Greene’s TikTok for a blind date segment, where she fielded questions about her romantic history. When asked why her previous relationship ended, she cited “compatibility issues” before adding the poignant phrase about timing. Though she didn’t name Kelce directly, the timeline matches their on-again, off-again romance that spanned five years before ending permanently in 2022.
Kelce, 36, moved on to a high-profile relationship with pop superstar Taylor Swift, beginning in the summer of 2023. The couple announced their engagement in August 2025, drawing widespread media attention. Nicole has largely stayed out of the spotlight regarding her personal life but has occasionally addressed the public scrutiny surrounding her ex’s new romance.
Nicole’s recent activities have sparked criticism from some fans, particularly those of Kelce and Swift. Earlier this month, she appeared in a Super Bowl commercial for the Sleeper app alongside celebrities like Tiffany Haddish and Ben Simmons.
In the ad, Nicole was introduced as the “Ex of a certain NFL Player” and made references to avoiding the word “swiftly” and resolving an “ex-girlfriend fiasco,” which many interpreted as subtle shade toward Swift and her past relationship with Kelce. Online backlash ensued, with critics calling it “obsessive” and “embarrassing,” accusing her of not moving on from the breakup.
This isn’t the first instance of perceived digs. Last Halloween in 2025, Nicole dressed as Toni Braxton and recreated the music video for Braxton’s 2000 hit “He Wasn’t Man Enough for Me,” which fans saw as a pointed reference to Kelce. More recently, in early February 2026, she performed onstage with Braxton herself during an event tied to NFL Honors, dancing to the same song. A viral clip captured Braxton shouting, “Kayla, is he man enough?” — a moment that ignited further outrage, with some viewing it as another jab at Kelce and Swift’s relationship. Nicole has not publicly responded to the criticisms.
Discussing her current approach to dating, Nicole described the landscape in 2026 as challenging. She emphasized a straightforward new criterion for potential partners: “having a job, that’s on the top of the list,” specifying they must be “employed.” The comments come amid Nicole’s continued work in sports media and fitness influencing, where she maintains a strong social media presence.
Nicole and Kelce’s relationship first gained attention in 2017, with the pair often seen together at events and on social media before their split. Neither has publicly commented extensively on the breakup, but Nicole’s recent remarks offer a rare glimpse into her perspective on love and timing.
Flip the pages for Kayla Nicole’s Valentine’s Day photos where she shows Kelce what he has been missing.
