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Travic Kelce’s ex-girlfriend, sportscaster Kayla Nicole, has spoken out about being trolled online over the NFL player’s alleged relationship with pop star Taylor Swift.
Nicole, 31, posted a video statement on Instagram on Monday, October 9, appearing to comment on the “backlash and embarrassment” she’s faced online since Swift and Kelce, both 33, last month were connected to each other.
Nicole and the Kansas City Chiefs tight end reportedly dated continuously for five years, from 2017 to 2022.
When news of Kelce’s alleged romance with the “Anti-Hero” singer broke, Nicole’s followers noticed that Swifties – as Swift’s fans are called – were allegedly pitting the women against each other and leaving “immature and unnecessary comments,” including GIFs of Taylor Swift her Instagram posts.
Now, the fitness influencer has issued a statement in response to the “backlash and embarrassment” in a nearly four-minute video aimed at Black women.
She begins: “Dear black girl, you may be called a traitor because you fell in love. You will hope that those closest to you will protect you, but you will quickly realize that people do not protect what they do not value.
“They’ll say you’re too much, too provocative, too boisterous, too outspoken – and in the same breath they’ll tell you you’re not enough,” Nicole continued. “Not successful enough, not healthy enough, maybe not even intelligent enough. They will say you deserve the backlash and the embarrassment…they will even try to tie your value to your net worth.”
She urged women not to engage in this “turbulent, often one-sided journey” and urged them to “guard your heart even as they try to quantify your character” because “there is power in your silence.”
“You can use that same power to silence the noise and the self-doubt… the voices inside you want you to give in to this demoralizing and antiquated narrative,” Nicole said, adding, “The anger of the world is loud.”
She concluded by emphasizing the importance of resources like “therapy, prayer, and community” for anyone struggling with negativity or online trolling.
Kelce confirmed he was single during an appearance on the Pivot Podcast in January, adding that he was “enjoying life.” [and] I concentrated on my job.”
When a fan asked how Nicole met Kelce, the fitness entrepreneur previously revealed that she sent him a message on Instagram after Kelce had been liking her posts on the platform for months.
According to the now-deleted Instagram story obtained by TMZ, she added, “The lesson here is taking the first step might be your best step, sister.”
Kelce confirmed that they had split in 2020, while he addressed rumors that he had cheated on Nicole in a now-deleted statement on X, formerly Twitter.
He called the rumors “fake news” rather than the reason “Kayla and I broke up,” adding, “Please take all your hate elsewhere.”
The former couple reconciled in November 2020 when Kelce referred to Nicole as “my girlfriend” during an Instagram Live conversation with WNBA basketball player Chiney Ogwumike, People reported.
(Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)
In February, they walked the red carpet together at the 11th Annual NFL Honors at the YouTube Theater. Three months later, Nicole and Kelce ended their relationship for the last time.
Swift was photographed at Kansas City Chiefs games in the US, alongside the footballer’s mother, Donna Kelce, and Brittany Mahomes, the wife of his teammate Patrick Mahomes.
For a full timeline of the Grammy winner’s alleged relationship with Kelce, click here.