Kayla Nicole Reflects on Past Relationship with Travis Kelce

Fitness influencer opens up about 'right person, wrong time' situation

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Kayla Nicole, the former girlfriend of NFL player Travis Kelce, has opened up about their past relationship in a recent interview. While not naming Kelce directly, Nicole suggested that compatibility issues and timing were factors in their breakup, which occurred around 2022 after dating on and off since 2017. Nicole's comments come as Kelce has since moved on to a high-profile relationship with singer Taylor Swift.

Why it matters

Kayla Nicole and Travis Kelce's relationship was closely followed by fans, and Nicole has faced backlash online from those who have positioned her against Kelce's new partner, Taylor Swift. Nicole's comments provide insight into her perspective on the relationship's end and the challenges she has faced in the public eye.

The details

In a TikTok Live interview with Love Island's Ace Greene, Kayla Nicole shared that she had been single for about three years and discussed why her previous relationship didn't work out. "Umm, who knows? Could be compatibility issues. Right person, wrong time," she said, without naming Kelce directly. Nicole and the Kansas City Chiefs tight end dated from 2017 to 2022 before their relationship ended. Since their breakup, Kelce has begun a relationship with pop star Taylor Swift, which was announced in 2025.

  • Kayla Nicole and Travis Kelce dated on and off from 2017 to 2022.
  • Kelce and Taylor Swift announced their engagement in August 2025.

The players

Kayla Nicole

A fitness influencer who dated NFL player Travis Kelce from 2017 to 2022.

Travis Kelce

A tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs who dated Kayla Nicole from 2017 to 2022 and is now engaged to singer Taylor Swift.

Taylor Swift

A popular singer who began dating Travis Kelce in 2023 and got engaged to him in 2025.

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What they’re saying

“Umm, who knows? Could be compatibility issues. Right person, wrong time.”

— Kayla Nicole, Fitness Influencer (TikTok)

“I would be lying if I said that that level of hate and just online chaos doesn't impact me. You could go to my most recent post and it'll be people debating why I'm worthless and how I'll never be a talented person.”

— Kayla Nicole, Fitness Influencer (Unapologetically Angel Podcast)

The takeaway

Kayla Nicole's comments provide a glimpse into the personal and public challenges she has faced following her high-profile relationship with Travis Kelce. Her willingness to open up about the complexities of their breakup and the online backlash she has received highlights the difficulties public figures can encounter in their personal lives.