The Evolution of Kayla Nicole: Beyond Being an NFL Ex

Dating a public figure automatically thrusts one into the spotlight. Kayla Nicole was in an on-again, off-again relationship with NFL player Travis Kelce from 2017 to 2022.

Now, with Travis dating Taylor Swift, his relationship with Kayla has been subject to media scrutiny — with many comparing Kayla with the “1989” singer.

So, who is Kayla Nicole? What’s her life beyond being associated with Travis? Let’s find out.

How did the stars align for Kayla Nicole? It wasn’t a coincidence that she met Travis Kelce, a professional football player. Kayla has a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from Pepperdine University with a specific interest in sports. She was bound to cross paths with the NFL player as they existed in the same ecosystem.

The journalist worked for major media outlets such as ESPN and Barstool Sports shortly before graduating in 2018. Her career took an upward spiral when she joined the NBA, giving her great exposure. Kayla would then secure a spot on the sidelines covering some NFL games.

Travis and Kayla initially connected on Instagram, with Kayla sharing, “He had been following me and insta-flirting for a few months. All double taps and no dm. Soooo after a little liquid courage and a pep talk from @iqueenb (something along the lines of ‘WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR’) I dm’d him on New Years.”

Unfortunately, they ended things for good in 2022.

Besides making a name for herself as a journalist, Kayla Nicole attracts fashion brands. Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty chose Kayla to be the face of their brand in 2022. Other major fashion brands such as Revolve and Crocs have secured Kayla as a brand ambassador.

Her net worth is currently estimated at $2 million.

The model also has a keen interest in fitness. Kayla frequently takes to Instagram to showcase her fitness outfits and routines. For the love of physical fitness, the model launched her brand, Tribe Therepe.

While speaking to People, Kayla Nicole acknowledged her struggles with mental health. She used fitness as an exit point for all her mental troubles. However, in 2022, after her breakup with Travis, the fitness expert had to seek another way to deal with her emotional stresses.

Kayla turned to therapy for emotional healing. Paired with fitness, the model identified the combo as a major stress reliever. She has since moved on from the relationship and is on the right track. This led her to relaunch her brand, Tribe Therepe, which combines therapy and fitness to deal with mental health troubles.

Tribe Therepe will aim to provide therapy at no extra cost. Through her program, Kayla will strive to make more people mentally and physically fit.

Kayla Nicole received backlash and trolls from followers after her ex-boyfriend, Travis, began flaunting his new relationship with Taylor Swift. In response, the mental health champion read a thoughtful message she’d penned down addressing Black girls who’d undergone backlash. Her experience working as a journalist came in handy.

“Dear Black girl, they may call you a traitor for falling in love,” Kayla wrote. “You’ll hope the ones closest will protect you, but you will quickly find out that people don’t protect what they don’t value. They’ll say you’re too much … and in the same breath tell you that you’re not enough. Not successful enough, not wholesome enough, maybe not even intelligent enough. They’ll say you deserve the backlash and embarrassment. Because of your blackness, you should have known better. They’ll even try to tie your value to your net worth.”

Some followers applauded her for the message, while critics aired their sentiments and told Kayla she needed to move on.

It’s debatable whether Kayla Nicole became popular in her own right. She dated a public figure who may have provided the necessary mileage and exposure to secure enough publicity. Nonetheless, it would be unfair to take away the model’s credit.

The fitness expert has worked hard and smart enough to make a name for herself through her education, career, life choices, and active lifestyle. She will keep aiming higher.