Kayla Nicole has candidly opened up about her relationship with NFL star Travis Kelce in the upcoming season of “Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test.” The 33-year-old influencer and media personality mentioned her ex-boyfriend’s name in a whisper to her co-stars during a sneak peek of the Fox show released on Wednesday.
Nicole’s co-stars, curious about her past, asked her directly about her high-profile relationship after she referenced it during a voiceover. “Going through a public breakup, it’s been overwhelming,” Nicole admitted while footage played of her wiping away a tear, highlighting just how emotional the experience has been for her.
Kayla Nicole, who is starring in Season 3 of the intense reality show alongside other celebrities like Brody Jenner, Denise Richards, and more, began dating Kelce back in 2017.
Their relationship came shortly after Kelce ended things with Maya Benberry, a contestant from his reality dating show “Catching Kelce.”
In a candid interview with E! News in February 2022, Kelce recalled the early days of their romance, sharing that he had been keeping an eye on Nicole on Instagram for some time before she finally made the first move. “I had been stalking her on Instagram, and finally, on New Year’s Eve, she sent me a DM,” Kelce revealed. “Finally … she gave in,” he joked, adding, “New year, new me.” The couple quickly became a fixture in the public eye, frequently sharing glimpses of their love on social media.
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However, their relationship was not without its challenges. In August 2020, news broke that Nicole and Kelce had decided to part ways amid rumors of infidelity. Kelce took to social media to dispel the rumors, posting on X (formerly Twitter), “This is fake news … a lie … and not why Kayla and I broke up. Take all your hatred somewhere else, please.” Despite the drama, the couple reconciled a few months later, rekindling their relationship by November of that same year.
Unfortunately, Kelce and Nicole’s love story came to an end for good in 2022. Following their breakup, speculation arose that the NFL star had made Nicole pay for half of everything during their relationship.
These rumors led to a great deal of public scrutiny, with many questioning the dynamics of their partnership.
Nicole addressed the rumors during an appearance on the “Unapologetically Angel” podcast in October 2022, laughing off the suggestion that she would ever go 50/50 on expenses with Kelce. “Do I look like anybody that would split anything?” she asked rhetorically. “Do I look like I would go 50/50 on bills? That was never an issue in our relationship. It was definitely a rumor on the internet. … I don’t even know why that even became a thing.” Kelce also spoke out about the situation during an episode of “Pivot” in January 2023, calling the money rumors “crazy” and emphasizing that they were untrue.
In the months following their breakup, Kelce’s personal life remained in the spotlight, particularly when news broke in June 2023 that he and pop superstar Taylor Swift were “hanging out.” By September, the couple made their relationship public, capturing headlines and drawing massive attention from fans and the media alike.
As Kelce and Swift’s romance blossomed, Nicole found herself at the center of an intense wave of public scrutiny and criticism.
The backlash from online trolls became so overwhelming that Nicole decided to address it in an open letter shared on Instagram in October 2023.
In her heartfelt post, she spoke about dealing with “backlash and embarrassment” and offered advice on maintaining one’s dignity in the face of adversity. “Preserve your heart even when they try to quantify your character and test your boundaries,” she wrote. “You do not have to respond. Because there is power in your silence.”
Despite the challenges and public nature of her breakup with Kelce, Kayla Nicole has remained resilient and focused on her own path.
Appearing on “Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test” has given her the opportunity to push her limits and share her personal story in an environment that is both physically and emotionally demanding.
The upcoming season promises to give viewers an intimate look into her journey, both as an athlete taking on grueling physical challenges and as a woman navigating life after a highly publicized breakup.
For Nicole, her appearance on “Special Forces” is more than just a test of endurance; it’s also an opportunity to move forward, redefine herself, and show the world that she is much more than just the ex-girlfriend of a famous NFL player.
As she continues to take on new challenges, her determination and grace in the face of adversity have resonated with her fans, who admire her for her strength and authenticity.
