Travis Kelce’s ex-girlfriend, Kayla Nicole, broke down in tears as she opened up about the intense online backlash she received after discussing their past relationship on the Unapologetically Angel podcast. During her appearance on Tuesday’s episode of I Am Athlete Daily, the sports broadcaster and model reflected on the emotional toll the criticism has taken on her and her family.
“After the podcast came out, I thought I handled things with grace,” Kayla said, recalling how she initially felt about her responses during the podcast interview. “I thought I answered the questions to the best of my ability. The public had their interpretation of things—it didn’t matter to me.”
However, while Kayla wasn’t initially fazed by the negative reactions on social media, her feelings shifted after receiving a call from her mother, who was deeply hurt by the online criticism directed at her daughter.
“My mom called me, and it’s those conversations that matter to me,” Kayla explained through tears. “She was offended, hurt by the way people were perceiving her daughter. She was upset by the negative headlines and how people were spinning the situation.”
Despite her pain, Kayla found a moment of lightheartedness when she shared her mother’s advice, laughing as she recounted the conversation. “My mom was like, ‘Maybe next time, we don’t answer those questions,’” Kayla said. “She reminded me that I don’t have to give everything my energy. You don’t always have to respond.”
RELATED: Why Kayla Nicole Would Avoid Speaking to Ex Travis Kelce in Public
Earlier in the episode, Kayla became visibly emotional, wiping away tears as she reflected on what she’s learned from the media scrutiny surrounding her past relationship with Kelce, who is currently in the spotlight for his romance with pop superstar Taylor Swift.
“I think it’s in my nature to be myself and to give all of myself,” Kayla shared. “But people don’t always deserve that because it’s not always received in the way I mean it. I can’t control how the public perceives me.”
Kayla’s emotional response follows the backlash she faced after her candid appearance on last Thursday’s episode of Unapologetically Angel, hosted by basketball star Angel Reese. During the podcast, Kayla addressed rumors about her relationship with Kelce and shared humorous anecdotes, but some of her remarks sparked controversy.
One of the most talked-about moments from the interview was when Kayla addressed the long-standing rumor that Kelce was “cheap” and split bills 50/50 during their relationship. She called the claims “ridiculous,” humorously responding, “Do I look like anybody that would split anything?” and clarifying that money was never an issue in their relationship.
Another point of contention arose when Kayla discussed her decision to dress up as R&B artist Teyana Taylor for Halloween years ago. The fitness influencer recalled how people speculated that she did it because Taylor had allegedly been involved with Kayla’s former boyfriend, Iman Shumpert. Kayla’s description of Taylor as a “singer/actress who was famous at the time” ruffled some feathers, and it wasn’t long before Taylor responded.
In a subtle yet pointed Instagram post, Teyana Taylor appeared to throw shade at Kayla. She shared a carousel of her upcoming projects, set to Taylor Swift’s hit song “Shake It Off.” The caption read, “I know 2025 gone hate to see a Taylor coming!!,” followed by, “Me: You did ya big one. God: AND DID.”
For Kayla, the backlash from both fans and public figures like Taylor added to the emotional weight she was already carrying. Through it all, she has shown vulnerability in how she navigates life in the public eye, reflecting on how social media reactions impact not just her but her family as well.
As she continues to move forward, Kayla’s tearful reflection on I Am Athlete Daily reveals a deeper understanding of how to protect herself from the pitfalls of public scrutiny, and her mother’s advice to “not always respond” may help guide her in navigating future challenges with grace and resilience.
