Just In: I’m Done with Public Romance”: Kayla Nicole Reflects on Love, Privacy, and Growth After Travis Kelce Split Kayla Nicole is ready to rewrite her story. The sports journalist, influencer, and entrepreneur has spent years in the public eye, often defined by her on-and-off relationship with NFL star Travis Kelce…..Read More

“I’m Done with Public Romance”: Kayla Nicole Reflects on Love, Privacy, and Growth After Travis Kelce Split

April 2025 – Kayla Nicole is ready to rewrite her story. The sports journalist, influencer, and entrepreneur has spent years in the public eye, often defined by her on-and-off relationship with NFL star Travis Kelce.

But on the premiere episode of her new podcast, The Pre-Game, which dropped on April 3, 2025, Nicole made a statement that turned heads:

“You won’t ever see me with a man ever again until I’m married with kids.” Far from a vow of celibacy, her words signal a new chapter—one where love takes a backseat to privacy, and healing becomes her priority.

From High-Profile Romance to Public Scrutiny

Nicole and Kelce’s relationship began in 2017, a five-year rollercoaster that ended for good in May 2022.

What started as a celebrated romance between a rising sports broadcaster and a Kansas City Chiefs tight end unraveled under the weight of fame and personal differences.

At the time, Nicole dismissed rumors of infidelity or financial disputes, calling the breakup mutual.

But the real challenge came later, when Kelce’s 2023 relationship with Taylor Swift thrust Nicole back into the spotlight—this time as the “ex” in a global pop culture frenzy.

The fallout was brutal. On the Unapologetically Angel podcast in October 2024, Nicole described facing a “level of hate and online chaos” that shook her to her core.

Social media users questioned her talent, her worth, and her relevance, often comparing her to Swift in cruel ways.

“It’s been years, and people still won’t let it go,” she told host Angel Reese, her voice heavy with frustration.

The emotional toll was evident in her upcoming appearance on Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test (airing January 8, 2025), where she broke down while discussing the breakup. “

It was overwhelming,” she admitted, tears streaming as she recalled the pain of losing a “major person” in her life.

Choosing Privacy Over Publicity
That pain has taught Nicole a hard-earned lesson: some things are better kept private.

On The Pre-Game, she clarified her viral statement about not being seen with a man. “I’m not saying I won’t date—I’m saying I won’t date publicly,” she explained. “

I’m dating and hiding. I want a private room, a back corner, a space where it’s just me and him.” It’s a stark departure from her past, where her relationship with Kelce played out on red carpets and Instagram grids.

Now, she’s setting boundaries, determined to protect her heart from the scrutiny that once broke
it.

This need for privacy isn’t new—it’s been a gradual evolution. In October 2023, Nicole told People about the physical and mental strain of the breakup: sleepless nights, weight loss, and a reliance on therapy to navigate her grief.

The added layer of Swift’s fanbase, some of whom targeted her online, only deepened her resolve to step back.

By March 2025, she’d unfollowed mutual friends like Brittany Mahomes on Instagram, a move she described as “protecting my peace” amid ongoing Kelce-Swift chatter.

For Nicole, privacy isn’t just a choice—it’s a necessity for survival in the public eye.

A New Vision for Love
While she’s guarding her personal life, Nicole hasn’t closed the door on love entirely. In fact, she’s reimagining what it looks like for her.

During a January 2024 appearance on the Behind the Likes podcast, she shared that she’s moved on from dating athletes.

“I’m out of that stage,” she said, revealing a preference for “men in positions of power” like executives or producers.

It’s a shift that suggests she’s seeking stability and influence in a partner—qualities that might offer a different dynamic than her past with Kelce.

But don’t expect to see her new romance anytime soon. “I’ll be married with kids before I’m out here publicly with someone,” she reiterated on The Pre-Game, her tone a mix of humor and conviction.

For now, her greatest love story is with herself. On March 10, 2025, she posted on Instagram, “Finally found my forever,” leading fans to speculate about a new man—until she clarified, “I meant me.”

The moment was a powerful testament to her journey of self-discovery, one she’s been documenting through her fitness brand, Tribe Therepe, which she relaunched in 2023 with a focus on mental health alongside physical wellness.

Healing Through Resilience
Nicole’s path to healing has been anything but easy.

The breakup with Kelce left scars—ones she’s still addressing through therapy and self-reflection.

“I had to rebuild myself from the ground up,” she told People in 2023, a process that’s included confronting her vulnerabilities head-on.

Her time on Special Forces showcased that rawness, as she pushed through physical challenges while grappling with emotional wounds. “I didn’t think I’d cry about it again,” she said on the show, her voice breaking as she reflected on the split.

Social media hasn’t made it easier. X posts from early 2025 reveal lingering criticism, with some users calling her “bitter” or “stuck in the past.” But Nicole has learned to tune out the noise.

“I don’t engage anymore,” she told Reese in 2024, a promise she’s kept by disabling comments on certain posts and focusing on her own growth.