The love story between NFL star Travis Kelce and pop superstar Taylor Swift has taken over the internet, but before this high-profile romance, Kelce had another relationship that also caught public attention.
This previous romance has now become a topic of constant discussion and criticism ever since Kelce started dating Swift.
The buzz surrounding Kelce and Swift has been undeniable, with some fans comparing their new relationship to his past one. There are even strong opinions online, with some saying that Taylor Swift is a step down from his ex-girlfriend, Kayla Nicole, who has dark hair.
However, others believe that Swift and Kelce are a perfect match, and their romance is something special.
How did all this start? The rumors began circulating when Taylor Swift, known for her chart-topping songs, started attending some of Kelce’s football games. On the “Pat McAfee Show,” Kelce revealed how the two first connected.
He shared that he had been to one of Taylor’s concerts during her “Eras Tour” in July 2023 at Arrowhead Stadium, and after that, he decided to reach out by inviting her to one of his games. Kelce said, “I threw the ball in her court,” showing that he was ready to take the first step in their connection.
This small but public gesture sparked a massive reaction from fans, and the two started spending more time together. By the end of 2023, Kelce and Swift had subtly confirmed their relationship in separate interviews.
In one of those, Kelce described Swift as “hilarious” and “a genius,” saying their shared values made them even more connected. “Everybody knows I’m a family guy,” Kelce mentioned, adding that Swift’s strong family ties felt like a perfect match for his own values.
Their romance has faced challenges, especially with the pressures of dating someone as famous as Swift. Kelce reflected on how hard it must be to date someone with such a big public presence.
“Obviously I’ve never dated anyone with that kind of aura about them… The scrutiny she gets… and she’s just living, enjoying life,” Kelce admitted. He also emphasized that when she acts carefree, he had to make sure not to be the one acting strangely.
Taylor Swift, on her end, shared her perspective as well. In a different interview, she recalled how their relationship started after Kelce “adorably put [her] on blast” on his podcast.
She explained that she was excited to spend time with him, and it didn’t take long before they started seeing each other exclusively. “By the time I went to that first game, we were a couple,” Swift clarified, clearing up any confusion about when their relationship truly began.
“We would never be psychotic enough to hard launch a first date,” she laughed.
She also shared how easy it felt to be with Kelce, saying that their relationship was simple, and it was public not to hide it from the world but to support each other. “I’m not worried about what people think.
I’m proud of who we are together,” she said, emphasizing the importance of mutual respect in their bond.
Fans loved hearing the couple’s take on their love story, and they showed their support on social media. One fan even joked, “Press ❤️ if u r gonna watch a Super Bowl only because Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce😅 Go Chiefs🏆.”
But despite the fans’ overwhelming support for the couple, comparisons to Kelce’s past relationship with Kayla Nicole continued to pop up.
Many social media users were quick to voice their opinions about the two women, with some even claiming that Kelce had “downgraded” from his ex to Taylor Swift.
“Travis Kelce surely downgraded from his last GF to this,” one commenter wrote. Some others shared their opinions on their appearance, saying things like, “Kayla Nicole looks so much better than Taylor Swift,” and “Yes, Kayla Nicole looks better than Taylor Swift but looks ain’t everything especially when you picking a life partner—compatibility is more important.”
This fueled the conversation even more, bringing up Kelce’s former relationship with Nicole, a sports journalist. The two started dating in 2017, and Nicole later shared how their relationship began when Kelce started liking her posts on Instagram.
Eventually, she decided to reach out to him directly, which led to the start of their romance. Their relationship, however, was on-again, off-again, and faced public scrutiny.
In 2020, when the couple briefly split, rumors about infidelity surfaced, but Kelce quickly shut them down, saying, “This is fake news… a lie… and not why Kayla and I broke up… take all your hatred somewhere else please.”
Their breakup in 2022 sparked more controversy when rumors claimed that Kelce was “cheap” and had made Nicole pay for half of everything during their time together.
However, Kelce denied these claims, saying, “You’ve got to be crazy if you’d think I never helped or gave her a couple thousand to grab some food… we were in a relationship for five years. A hundred dollars here, a hundred dollars there wasn’t even thought about.”
While public interest continued around their past relationship, Kayla Nicole opened up in October 2024 during an appearance on the “Unapologetically Angel” podcast. She reflected on their time together and described it as a “good time.”
When asked about how things had changed since Kelce’s relationship with Swift began, she mentioned that they had kept their distance to avoid unnecessary gossip, but they had bumped into each other in public. “We keep it moving,” she said, focusing on moving forward.
Nicole also admitted that going through a public breakup had been overwhelming. “Going through a public breakup, it’s been overwhelming,” she shared. “People have called me worthless and said I have no career or talent.”
But despite the harsh criticism she faced, Nicole remained strong. She reminded listeners that she hadn’t done anything to deserve the negativity, and she continued to focus on her career and personal growth.
Today, Nicole is thriving independently, working as a sports analyst and fashion influencer. She’s also passionate about fitness and runs her own brand, Tribe Therepe. “So many lessons learned,” she said when reflecting on her past.
As for Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift, their relationship continues to shine in the spotlight, but Kayla Nicole’s story is a reminder that public relationships can have deep personal impacts.
The fame game isn’t easy, but for both women, it’s clear that they continue to live life on their own terms. With their accomplishments, resilience, and individual journeys, they show that personal growth and happiness are the ultimate goals.
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