Kayla Nicole Reflects on Relationship with Ex-Boyfriend Travis Kelce

The influencer opens up about the 'right person, wrong time' dynamic in her past romance with the NFL star.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

Kayla Nicole, the ex-girlfriend of Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, recently opened up about their past relationship during a TikTok live conversation. Nicole, 34, revealed that her last relationship was around three years ago, and when asked why it didn't work out, she suggested it could have been a case of 'right person, wrong time.' Nicole and Kelce, 36, dated on and off for five years after connecting on social media in 2017, but they ultimately split for good in 2022. Kelce has since moved on and gotten engaged to pop star Taylor Swift.

Why it matters

Nicole and Kelce's relationship was highly publicized, with the couple going through several ups and downs over the course of their five-year romance. Nicole's comments provide insight into the dynamics that led to their split, which occurred around the same time Kelce began dating Swift. This story offers a glimpse into the personal lives of high-profile celebrities and the challenges they face in maintaining relationships.

The details

According to reports, Nicole and Kelce connected on social media in 2017, with Kelce 'insta-flirting' with Nicole for several months before she decided to make the first move and send him a direct message. The couple went public with their relationship in 2017 and dated on and off for the next five years, splitting in 2020 before reconciling later that year. They ultimately called it quits for good in 2022. In her recent TikTok live, Nicole suggested that the relationship may have simply been a case of 'right person, wrong time,' hinting at compatibility issues or other factors that led to their split.

  • Nicole and Kelce connected on social media and began dating in 2017.
  • The couple went public with their relationship in May 2017.
  • News broke in August 2020 that Kelce and Nicole had split, but they were back together by that November.
  • Kelce and Nicole called it quits for good in May 2022.
  • Kelce got engaged to Taylor Swift in August 2025.

The players

Kayla Nicole

A 34-year-old influencer who dated NFL player Travis Kelce on and off for five years before their split in 2022.

Travis Kelce

A 36-year-old NFL tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs who dated Kayla Nicole for several years before getting engaged to pop star Taylor Swift in 2025.

Taylor Swift

A 36-year-old pop star who got engaged to Travis Kelce in 2025, two years after he split from his ex-girlfriend Kayla Nicole.

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What they’re saying

“Who knows. [It] could be compatibility issues, or it could've been, 'Right person, wrong time.'”

— Kayla Nicole (TikTok)

The takeaway

This story highlights the complexities of high-profile celebrity relationships, where factors like timing, compatibility, and public scrutiny can all play a role in the ultimate outcome. Nicole's reflections on her past with Kelce provide a relatable perspective on the challenges of finding the 'right' person, even when the connection seems strong.