Dave Portnoy has weighed in on the controversy surrounding Kayla Nicole’s recent appearance on Angel Reese’s podcast, Unapologetically Angel. The model and influencer, who previously dated NFL star Travis Kelce for around five years, sat down with the WNBA star to discuss her past relationship with Kelce, who is now romantically involved with pop sensation Taylor Swift. The interview quickly stirred up backlash, particularly from Swift’s fanbase.
During the candid conversation, Kayla Nicole revealed that she and Kelce, despite their history, cannot even speak when they see each other in public now, due to his relationship with Swift. She also opened up about the emotional toll that constant online harassment from Swift’s passionate fans, known as the “Swifties,” has taken on her. In addition, Nicole shared how her fallout with the Kansas City Chiefs’ WAGs (wives and girlfriends of players) left her feeling isolated.
The revelations on Reese’s podcast sparked outrage among Swift’s loyal fanbase, with many criticizing Nicole for still discussing her past relationship with Kelce. Social media was flooded with comments telling her to “move on” and criticizing her for dredging up the past. The backlash didn’t stop with Swift’s fans, as Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy, a vocal Taylor Swift supporter, jumped into the conversation with a scathing critique of both Nicole and Reese.
Appearing on his BFFs podcast, Portnoy didn’t hold back. “Angel Reese and Kayla Nicole are perfect for each other,” he said, comparing their behavior. “They are both people who love to talk and are obsessed about a third party.” Portnoy drew parallels between Nicole’s continued comments about Kelce and Swift, and Reese’s previous public back-and-forth with fellow basketball star Caitlin Clark. He suggested that both women seemed fixated on others and were surprised when they received backlash for it.
Portnoy continued, mocking Nicole’s surprise at the Swifties’ harsh reactions. “‘Why are the Swifties coming after me?’ Because Kayla Nicole, you don’t shut up talking about Travis and Taylor,” he said. “So yeah, they come after you.”
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He also criticized Nicole for continuing to speak about Kelce and Swift when they have clearly moved on. “To go on Angel’s podcast now and still be talking about Travis and the Swifties and how the Swifties are mean to her… it’s because you don’t stop talking about them,” Portnoy added. “They’ve moved on, you’re old news, sunshine.”
Portnoy’s co-host Josh Richards also chimed in, calling the situation “immature” and comparing it to high school gossip, suggesting Nicole’s continued focus on Kelce and Swift was unnecessary drama.
The fallout from Nicole’s interview with Reese has been swift, with critics taking aim at her for not letting go of her past relationship. Nicole and Kelce parted ways in 2022, a year before Kelce’s relationship with Swift began. Over the past year, the high-profile romance between Kelce and Swift has captivated global attention, dominating headlines and thrusting Nicole back into the spotlight due to her past with the NFL star.
In her interview on Unapologetically Angel, Nicole also shared the emotional impact the scrutiny has had on her, saying that the online abuse from Swifties has made her want to “disappear” at times. She reflected on the difficulty of losing a significant other and close friend, only to be bombarded with social media hate. “I would be lying if I said that that level of hate and online chaos didn’t impact me, even to this day,” Nicole said. “You could go to my most recent posts and people would be debating why I am worthless.”
Nicole has since addressed the fallout from her appearance on Reese’s podcast during her latest episode of I Am Athlete Daily, where she reflected on how she presented herself in the interview. “There were moments where I articulated myself in a really good way, and there were moments where if I could go back, I would maybe change the way that I said things because it didn’t fully embody my character or my heart,” she admitted.
Nicole also became emotional during her conversation on I Am Athlete Daily, particularly when discussing how the negative headlines have affected her family. She revealed that her mother’s reaction to the backlash was the hardest part. “My mom calls me, though. And it’s those conversations, that’s what matters to me because she’s offended. She’s hurt by the way people are perceiving her daughter.”
Nicole concluded that moving forward, she might approach things differently. “Maybe next time, we don’t answer those questions,” she said, echoing her mother’s advice. “Don’t give it any energy. You don’t always have to respond.”
While Nicole continues to navigate the public scrutiny surrounding her past relationship with Kelce, it seems clear that Portnoy and other critics believe it’s time for her to move on.
Whether she will take that advice remains to be seen, but the conversation sparked by her appearance on Reese’s podcast has only fueled the ongoing drama between fans of Nicole, Kelce, and Swift.
