The romance between NFL star Travis Kelce and pop sensation Taylor Swift has captured the imagination of fans everywhere. But before their relationship caught the spotlight, Kelce was romantically linked to another public figure who faced criticism after their split.
The connection between Kelce and Swift quickly became the talk of the town. Yet, many fans and social media users couldn’t help but compare it to his past relationship with his ex-girlfriend, Kayla Nicole.
Some online commentators claimed Kelce “downgraded” from Nicole to Swift, focusing heavily on appearances and drawing harsh comparisons.
While many fans are celebrating Kelce’s new relationship, others continue to debate whether it’s the right match for the football star.
How Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift Began:
Rumors about Kelce and Swift’s relationship first started swirling after the pop star attended one of his football games. During an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show podcast, Kelce explained how their connection began.
He shared that he attended Swift’s Eras Tour at Arrowhead Stadium in July 2023, and later decided to invite her to one of his games. He described how he “threw the ball in her court,” making it clear that he took the first step.
Their bond was solidified during their early interactions. “She’s hilarious, she’s a genius,” Kelce said, adding that they share similar values, especially when it comes to family.
Kelce even explained how their close-knit family dynamics were a big part of what made them click. He said, “Everybody knows I’m a family guy,” pointing out how closely Swift’s family is involved in her career and life.
Swift also opened up about the start of their relationship. “By the time I went to that first game, we were a couple,” she said, addressing rumors that the game was their first official date.
Swift added that they never planned a big “hard launch” of their relationship, preferring to keep things private in the beginning. She also praised the simplicity of their relationship, explaining that being public means supporting each other in front of the world, without concern for outside opinions.
She was proud of their connection and mutual encouragement, which has resonated with many of their fans.
As Swift and Kelce continue to publicly support one another, many fans are cheering them on. After they were seen celebrating the Chiefs’ advancement to the Super Bowl, social media exploded with excitement.
One fan tweeted, “Press ❤️ if u r gonna watch a Super Bowl only because Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce😅 Go Chiefs🏆.” Another wrote, “Taylor and Travis are good together.
Bonus is that Donna approves,” Getty Images to Kelce’s mother, Donna, who has also publicly supported their relationship. Many other fans couldn’t help but gush over the couple, with comments like, “Love seeing them enjoy the moment together” and “They’re so cute.”
But amid all the admiration, comparisons to Kelce’s past relationship with Kayla Nicole have intensified.
Comparing Kayla Nicole and Taylor Swift:
On social media, some fans made harsh judgments about Kelce’s new relationship, particularly criticizing Swift in comparison to his ex-girlfriend, Kayla Nicole. One commenter claimed, “Travis Kelce downgraded to Taylor Swift from Nichole.”
Another said, “Travis Kelce surely downgraded from his last GF to this.” These opinions often focused on physical appearance, with one user writing, “For some reason, most BW think Kayla Nicole better than Taylor Swift even though Swift been in the game since 2015.”
Some fans even defended Kayla, calling her “better” than Swift. “Kayla Nicole looks so much better than Taylor Swift. I love my black queens,” one commenter posted.
Others, however, argued that compatibility matters more than looks, with one user pointing out, “Yes, Kayla Nicole looks better than Taylor Swift, but looks ain’t everything, especially when you’re picking a life partner—compatibility is more important.”
This sparked a debate on the importance of physical appearance versus deeper connections, with one fan adding, “Kayla Nicole looks a lot better than A LOT of y’all favorite singers and pop stars lmao it’s not just Taylor Swift.”
This intense scrutiny brought renewed attention to Kelce’s past relationship with Kayla Nicole, a sports journalist and media personality. Their relationship began in 2017, and Nicole later shared how they first connected.
“Travis had been following me on Instagram, liking my posts, but didn’t send any messages,” she explained in a Q&A session. Eventually, Nicole took the lead and sent him a message on New Year’s, sparking the beginning of their romance.
The Rise and Fall of Kelce and Nicole’s Relationship:
Nicole and Kelce had a somewhat tumultuous relationship, marked by several public breakups and rumors. During one brief split in 2020, infidelity rumors spread, but Kelce shut them down, calling the claims “fake news” and asking people to “take all your hatred somewhere else please.”
When their relationship ended for good in 2022, rumors resurfaced, with some suggesting that Kelce made Nicole pay “half of everything” and was “cheap.”
He denied these claims, saying, “You’ve got to be crazy if you’d think I never helped or gave her a couple thousand to grab some food or she gave me some money to go get some food…. we were in a relationship for five years.
A hundred dollars here, a hundred dollars there wasn’t even thought about.”
Despite the drama, Nicole later opened up about her experience in an interview on the Unapologetically Angel podcast in October 2024. Reflecting on her relationship with Kelce, she described it as a “good time” and mentioned that he was a “great guy.”
She also addressed the public’s intense scrutiny of their relationship, especially now that Kelce is with Swift. Nicole revealed that since Kelce and Swift went public, they’ve had minimal interactions to avoid sparking rumors or misunderstandings. “We just keep it moving,” she said.
In a preview for Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test, Nicole became emotional while talking about their breakup, saying, “Going through a public breakup, it’s been overwhelming.”
She opened up about the criticism she faced since Kelce started dating Swift, admitting that some people have called her “worthless” or claimed she has “no career or talent.” However, she emphasized that she had never done anything to deserve such backlash.
Kayla Nicole’s Resilience and Career:
Despite the harsh criticism, Nicole has remained resilient. She’s built a successful career for herself as a sports analyst, model, and fashion influencer.
Nicole has a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from Pepperdine University and has worked hard to establish herself in the media industry.
She also runs her own fitness brand, Tribe Therepe, further proving her multifaceted talents and determination to thrive outside of her past relationships.
As Kelce’s relationship with Swift continues to dominate headlines, it’s clear that both he and Nicole have carved out their own paths, navigating the complex world of fame and relationships.
While some may still scrutinize Kelce’s past romances, Nicole’s accomplishments show that she’s more than capable of standing on her own, with or without public approval.
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