'Stop calling me someone's ex': Kayla Nicole moves beyond Travis Kelce's shadow and the Taylor Swift narrative

Time of India

07-05-2025

Kayla Nicole
is making it clear she no longer wants to be defined by her past relationship with NFL star
. In a recent podcast appearance and multiple interviews, the
sports broadcaster
and fitness model voiced her frustration with being constantly labeled as 'Kelce's ex.'
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After their on-and-off relationship ended in 2022, Nicole has worked hard to carve out her own identity one that isn't tied to a former partner or his current high-profile romance with
.
Despite the backlash, Kayla Nicole uses public scrutiny as a catalyst for personal growth
Kayla Nicole has faced intense public scrutiny, especially following Kelce's widely-publicized relationship with Swift. She's been candid about how this has affected her
mental health
, revealing that the online hate and comparisons took a toll on her self-esteem.
However, instead of letting it break her, she's using the experience as fuel for growth.
On the "Second Wind" podcast, Kayla Nicole called out the media for oversimplifying her life story by constantly framing it around her past with Travis Kelce.
"It's like, 'damn, girl, did you listen to anything,'" Nicole said."I am human and take it with a grain of salt now. One day, they're going to have to stop calling me someone's ex.
I don't know if that means I have to date someone else publicly, but they're going to have to just let it go. Until then, I'm going to ride this off into the sunset."
She recently appeared on Special Forces: World's Toughest Test, where she confronted her emotional limits and gained deeper self-awareness. Nicole has also launched wellness initiatives like 'Tribe Therapy' to support other women navigating similar challenges.
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Through all of this, she's been clear about her intent to keep future relationships private and protect her peace.
"If I can make her feel like she's seen and understood, and if I can make it out of something like this, so she, that's what my job here is to do. Other than that, I don't care. I simply don't care," she said.
As for Swift, Nicole has no bad blood. She's publicly acknowledged Taylor's talent and success, but wants to be left out of the narrative entirely.
Her focus now is on personal evolution and being recognized for who she is not who she once dated.
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In her words, it's time to 'let it go.' Kayla Nicole is done living in someone else's shadow, and she's stepping forward with purpose, dignity, and a renewed sense of self. Moving on doesn't mean forgetting the past, it means choosing not to let it define you. And that's exactly what she's doing.