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Kayla Nicole, ex-girlfriend of NFL star Travis Kelce, has opened up about her past relationship with the Kansas City Chiefs tight-end. Nicole, who dated Kelce on and off for five years before their 2022 split, emphasized the importance of maintaining personal independence while in such relationships.
"My biggest advice in dating an athlete is to always have your own," she stated during an appearance on Angel Reese's "Unapologetically Angel" podcast. Nicole reflected on how easy it is to get absorbed in the athlete's world and vision, but stressed the importance of having personal goals and identity.
She recounted the challenges of their long-distance relationship, sharing a moment when their breakup left her in a vulnerable position. "I was in-between apartments, thinking we were going to get married, so I didn't need a place of my own. We broke up, and everything—my lease, my car—was up at the same time."
Nicole also addressed rumors surrounding their relationship, particularly allegations that Kelce made her split the bills on dates. "Do I look like I would go 50-50 on bills?" she joked, dismissing the claim as a ridiculous rumor.
Since their breakup, Kelce's relationship with pop star Taylor Swift has dominated headlines, and Nicole has had to deal with the backlash from Swift's fans. "I would be lying if I said that that level of hate and online chaos doesn't impact me," she admitted. She described the toll of social media criticism, saying, "You could go to my most recent posts, and people would be debating why I'm worthless. It's nothing to do with me."
Despite the negativity, Nicole had kind words for her time with Kelce, calling him "a great guy" and describing their relationship as a positive period in her life. "There's something about that level of fame that attracts crazy people," she observed, before concluding that, while her relationship with Kelce was meaningful, she's focused on moving forward and protecting her personal well-being.
