Travis Kelce’s ex-girlfriend, Kayla Nicole, is speaking out to address persistent rumors that the Kansas City Chiefs star’s alleged “cheap” behavior was the cause of their 2022 breakup. During a recent appearance on the “Unapologetically Angel” podcast, Nicole tackled the speculation head-on, calling the rumors “ridiculous.”
The conversation began when host Angel Reese brought up the claim circulating online that Kelce and Nicole, who dated for five years, had split over financial disagreements, with some suggesting that they “split bills 50/50.” Nicole wasted no time shutting down the idea. “Do I look like anybody that would split anything?” she asked, playfully cutting off the host to make her point. Reese immediately responded, “No,” and Nicole doubled down, adding, “OK, so yeah — that was ridiculous.”
The sports broadcaster explained that while the internet latched onto the narrative of Kelce being stingy, financial issues were never a problem in their relationship. “That was never an issue in our relationship,” Nicole clarified, before adding that she couldn’t understand why the rumor had gained so much traction online.
Nicole also reminded listeners that Kelce himself had debunked the “cheap” rumors months ago. In January 2023, Kelce addressed the issue on “The Pivot” podcast, calling the speculation “crazy” and urging people not to “buy into that s—.” Nicole reiterated that point, saying, “He addressed that too. I don’t even know why that became a thing.”
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Throughout their relationship, the model and broadcaster emphasized that money was not a focal point of their partnership. She noted that Kelce would often give her “a couple dollars to grab some food” and that she reciprocated with similar gestures during their time together.
Nicole, however, used the opportunity to offer advice to other women, encouraging them to approach their relationships in a way that feels right for them. “To each his own,” she said. “If people like to split their bills with their man, I think that’s what you should do. I don’t do that.”
Nicole’s remarks about her relationship with Kelce come on the heels of some playful jabs she made just days earlier about his performance on the field this season. In a video for I Am Athlete Daily, she commented on his slow start, saying, “Been a slow start for the guy Travis Kelce — do you think that he’s going to get more than 58.5 receiving yards?”
Her lighthearted comment stirred buzz, especially given the media attention surrounding Kelce’s current relationship with pop star Taylor Swift.
Kelce and Nicole dated from 2017 until they parted ways in May 2022. Rumors about their breakup have continued to surface, particularly in light of Kelce’s high-profile romance with Swift, which began in the summer of 2023 and was confirmed publicly in September. Despite the media frenzy surrounding Kelce’s new relationship, Nicole has maintained a candid and poised attitude when addressing her past with the NFL star.
Her latest comments reaffirm that her breakup with Kelce had nothing to do with financial disagreements and that she remains focused on her own path while encouraging others to define their relationships on their own terms.