Kayla Nicole, known for her relationship with Kansas City Chiefs’ tight end Travis Kelce, has become a notable figure in sports media, fashion, and fitness. Though their five-year on-again, off-again relationship is what first brought her into the spotlight, Kayla has built an impressive career and life of her own. This blog takes a deeper dive into her dating history, her relationship with Kelce, and how she’s moved forward since their split.
Kayla Nicole’s Early Life and Career
Before Kayla Nicole entered the world of high-profile relationships, she was already making waves in the sports industry. Born and raised in California, Kayla graduated from Pepperdine University in 2013 with a degree in broadcast journalism. Her passion for sports was evident early on, and she pursued her dreams of becoming a sports journalist.
After graduating, Kayla quickly secured hosting gigs with some of the biggest names in sports media, including ESPN and Barstool Sports. Her knowledge and charisma landed her opportunities to cover the NBA courtside and report from the sidelines of NFL games. Kayla also ventured into entertainment, interviewing major stars like Will Ferrell and Sterling K. Brown.
Kayla Nicole’s Relationship With Travis Kelce
Kayla Nicole and Travis Kelce first connected in a very modern way—through Instagram. Kelce followed Nicole and, after a few months of “insta-flirting,” she took the initiative to message him. This bold move marked the beginning of their relationship in 2017.
Throughout their five-year relationship, the couple experienced multiple breakups. Their first public breakup was in August 2020, when fans noticed that Kayla had deleted pictures of Kelce from her Instagram account. Rumors circulated, speculating that Kelce had cheated, but he quickly denied these claims on Twitter.
The two reconciled a few months later, and Kelce even praised Kayla during an Instagram Live, calling her “the best.” Despite their efforts to make the relationship work, they split again in 2022, with rumors suggesting that Kelce had been too frugal during their time together,
allegedly making Kayla pay for “half of everything.” However, Kelce publicly dismissed these claims during a 2023 interview with The Pivot Podcast, making it clear that finances weren’t the reason behind their breakup.
Moving Forward: Kayla Nicole’s Life After Kelce
After their final split, Kayla Nicole made it clear that she was ready to move on and focus on her career and personal growth. She unfollowed close friends Brittany and Patrick Mahomes on Instagram, likely as a part of distancing herself from her past life connected to Kelce. However, she explained that her relationship with Brittany Mahomes was more complex and that there was still love and respect between them.
In the months following her breakup, Kayla turned to fitness and mental health to regain balance in her life. She candidly shared her struggles with depression and how the end of her relationship led to significant weight loss. Despite looking physically fit, Kayla revealed that she wasn’t mentally in a good place at the time.
Kayla Nicole’s Fitness Brand and Fashion Influence
Kayla Nicole is not just a sports journalist—she’s also a fitness enthusiast and fashion influencer. In addition to her work in the media, she’s modeled for brands like Revolve, Crocs, and Savage X Fenty. Her Instagram, where she boasts a large following, showcases not only her fashion sense but also her dedication to fitness.
In October 2023, Kayla announced the relaunch of her fitness brand, Tribe Therepe, which focuses on mental health and fitness. The brand incorporates tools she’s learned from therapy into her workout routines, emphasizing the importance of taking care of both your body and mind. This holistic approach to fitness has resonated with many of her followers, especially as Kayla has been open about the challenges she faced following her breakup with Kelce.
Kayla Nicole’s Stance on Dating Athletes
Following her relationship with Travis Kelce, Kayla Nicole has made it clear that she’s no longer interested in dating athletes. During an interview on the Behind the Likes podcast in January 2024, she shared that she’s moved on from dating men in the sports industry and is more attracted to men in positions of power, such as executives or producers.
While she hasn’t entirely ruled out dating athletes, Kayla explained that she’s looking for a different type of partner moving forward. She’s still passionate about sports and would love to attend games with her future partner, but she’s ready to explore relationships outside the realm of professional athletes.
Kayla Nicole’s Message to Black Women
As Kayla navigates her personal life and career, she’s also been using her platform to speak out about the struggles that Black women face in both love and life. In a heartfelt message posted to Instagram in October 2023, she addressed the backlash she has received since her breakup with Kelce, especially from online trolls.
In her open letter to Black girls, Kayla reminded her followers that their value is not tied to their relationships or societal expectations. She emphasized the importance of self-worth, resilience, and mental health, inspiring many who may be going through similar challenges.
Conclusion
Kayla Nicole’s dating history may have started with Travis Kelce, but her journey goes far beyond that. From her impressive career in sports journalism and fashion to her dedication to fitness and mental health, Kayla has shown that she’s much more than just a football player’s ex-girlfriend. She’s a multi-talented woman who continues to evolve and inspire others, especially Black women, through her authenticity and strength.
As Kayla moves forward, she remains focused on her career and personal growth, leaving her mark not only in the world of sports but also in fashion, fitness, and mental health advocacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is Kayla Nicole? Kayla Nicole is a sports journalist, fashion influencer, and fitness enthusiast. She gained public attention for her relationship with NFL player Travis Kelce but has built an impressive career in media, fashion, and fitness.
2. How did Kayla Nicole and Travis Kelce meet? Kayla and Travis met through Instagram, where Kelce followed her and engaged in “insta-flirting.” After a few months, Kayla sent him a message, and they began dating in 2017.
3. Why did Kayla Nicole and Travis Kelce break up? While rumors circulated about infidelity and financial disputes, both Kayla and Kelce denied these claims. The couple broke up in 2022 after an on-and-off relationship lasting five years.
4. What is Kayla Nicole’s fitness brand? Kayla launched a fitness brand called Tribe Therepe, which focuses on combining physical fitness with mental health. The brand incorporates tools from therapy into workout routines.
5. Is Kayla Nicole still dating athletes? Kayla has stated that she’s no longer interested in dating athletes and is more attracted to men in positions of power, such as executives or producers. However, she hasn’t entirely ruled out the possibility of dating athletes in the future.