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Kayla Nicole opens up about her “public breakup” with Travis Kelce on the upcoming season of Special Forces: The toughest test in the world.
The 32-year-old influencer and sportscaster reflects on what she's faced since their split, including the harsh scrutiny that followed Kelce's high-profile relationship with Taylor Swift.
During one point in the show, another contestant asks Nicole who her ex is and she quietly confirms Kelce's name. In a season 3 sneak peek, Nicole appears emotional, wiping away tears as her voiceover reveals, “Going through a public breakup, it's been overwhelming.”
Nicole has been candid about the toll the breakup and its aftermath have taken on her mental health, particularly since Kelce, 35, began dating Swift, 34. The relationship, which went public in September 2023, has attracted unprecedented media attention, with the NFL. even taking advantage of the rumors surrounding Swift's appearances at Chiefs games. This attention, however, has come at a personal cost for Nicole.
In October 2024, he joined Angel Reese in the unapologetic angel podcast and opened up about the online harassment she's faced since Kelce and Swift's romance became official.
“I would be lying if I said that level of hate and chaos online didn't impact me. He does it. Even to this day,” Nicole admitted. He added: “You can go to my most recent post and there will be people debating with each other about why I'm worthless and will never be a talented person and don't have a career.”
The scrutiny has only intensified with Swift's enormous fan base, also known as the “Swifties,” diving into Nicole's past relationship with Kelce. Swift fandom has elevated Kelce's fame, making the athlete a pop culture fixture and intensifying public interest in his past relationships.
When Reese asked Nicole why she thinks she's been attacked despite handling the breakup with “grace,” Nicole responded, “I don't know. “I think there's something about that level of fame that attracts crazy people, and it's unfortunate because I've never done anything that warrants that kind of reaction.”
Nicole and Kelce's relationship began in 2017 after he began their romance with what she described as months of “instant flirting.” Their relationship ended in January 2023, amid rumors that financial problems were the cause. Kelce later dismissed the speculation during an appearance on The Pivot PodcastSaying, “Don't believe that shit.”
Since Kelce and Swift's relationship became public, Nicole has taken steps to move forward, including unfollowing her former friends Brittany and Patrick Mahomes on Instagram. According PeopleSources close to Nicole have reportedly said that the public fixation on Kelce and Swift has made it harder for her to fully recover from the breakup.
