Travis Kelce isn’t the only high-profile ex in Kayla Nicole’s past. The 32-year-old model recently teased another A-list romance during a candid conversation with Angel Reese on the “Unapologetically Angel” podcast, sparking curiosity among listeners. It didn’t take long for fans to piece together the clues and identify the mystery man as NBA player Iman Shumpert.
In the episode, Nicole shared details about a past fling that left her heartbroken, despite the fact that they were never officially in a relationship. The model opened up about the “craziest thing” she had ever experienced, recounting how she was dumped via text by the unnamed celebrity.
“We weren’t in a relationship, but I was dating a guy,” Nicole began. “He dumped me through a text message for this singer/actress who was famous at the time. [He] lied about it for months and then popped out with her. It became this public thing where everyone was like, ‘Oh my God, we love them.’”
Nicole explained that she was “devastated” and “heartbroken” when the “iconic celebrity couple” went public, particularly because she had just relocated to New York to be closer to him, even planning to move in together.
“I had just moved to New York to, like, be with this person and move in with them,” she recalled. “It was a whole thing.”
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While Nicole didn’t initially name the person, social media sleuths quickly connected the dots after she mentioned dressing up as the guy’s new partner for Halloween. Fans resurfaced old photos of Nicole in a cropped gray tank top, a thong, and knee pads—an outfit famously worn by singer and actress Teyana Taylor, who had been in a relationship with Shumpert since 2013.
The Halloween costume gave away the identity of the mystery man. One Instagram user commented, “I would’ve taken this story to the grave with me,” while another added, “She ate that look up tho.”
Shumpert and Taylor became one of Hollywood’s favorite couples after their relationship went public. They married in 2016 and welcomed two daughters, Iman “Junie” Jr., 8, and Rue, 4, before announcing their split in 2023. Neither Shumpert nor Taylor’s representatives have responded to requests for comment regarding Nicole’s revelation.
Elsewhere in the podcast, Nicole touched on her more well-known ex, Travis Kelce, and his current high-profile relationship with Taylor Swift. Nicole and Kelce had an on-again, off-again relationship that spanned from 2017 to 2022. Addressing what it would be like if she ran into Kelce now, Nicole kept it casual.
“I’ll probably hit him with, like, a head nod,” she said. “We’re both aware of the nature of his new situation, and there’s just no room really for us to communicate or acknowledge each other.”
Nicole’s remarks followed comments she made earlier in the week during an “I Am Athlete Daily” video, where she subtly critiqued Kelce’s performance in the 2024 NFL season. Although she didn’t mention Kelce by name, she referred to him as “the guy,” hinting at his “slow start” to the season.
With Nicole now addressing her past relationships both on and off the court, she continues to captivate fans with her unapologetic honesty. Whether reflecting on her emotional past or offering insight into her current life, Nicole’s candidness ensures her story remains a point of intrigue.
