Travis Kelce’s Ex-girlfriend Kayla Nicole Addresses Backlash in a New Video
Travis Kelce and his ex-girlfriend of five years, Kayla Nicole, have addressed the backlash she’s been receiving online as Kelce pursues a new relationship with Grammy Award winner Taylor Swift.
Nicole’s followers noted that the “Swifties” would pin the women against each other and comment Taylor Swift GIFs under her Instagram posts.
Nicole uploaded a four-minute video on Instagram addressed to Black girls on Monday, October 9, discussing the humiliation she has faced since Swift and Kelce were spotted together.
Nicole expresses that she uses her platform to unite women. “It’s always been really important for me to use my platform, not to create division, but to elevate and unite women, Black women specifically,” she stated before beginning her address.
“Dear Black girl, they may call you a traitor for falling in love. 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, too provocative, too boisterous, too outspoken – and, in the same breath, tell you you’re not enough,” Nicole continued. “Not successful enough, not wholesome enough, maybe not even intelligent enough. They’ll say you deserve the backlash and embarrassment… they’ll even try to tie your value to your net worth.”
She urged women not to participate in this “tumultuous, often one-sided journey”, asking them to “preserve your heart even when they try to quantify your character” because there is “power in your silence.”
“You can use that same power to silence the noise and self-doubt…the voices within that want you to give in to this demoralizing and antiquated narrative,” Nicole stated, adding, “The rage of the world is loud.”
Dear Kayla Nicole,
— ESSENCE (@Essence) October 10, 2023
We adore you!
You are a true class act. The definition of beauty, brains and walking in the light you’re meant to shine in.
Far too often women are defined by the men we date, relationships we’ve had in the past, and what value they bring to us… and… pic.twitter.com/0eT2XQaCW5
Nicole also added feelings of self-doubt by sharing, “There are days when I feel insufficient, and I must remind myself that I am, have been, and will always be more than enough.”
Finally, Nicole touched on the importance of utilizing resources such as “therapy, prayer, and community” for anyone struggling with negativity or trolling online and concluded that we do have potential. “Most importantly, I want you to remember that you are loved. You are valued. You are allowed to take up space. You deserve protection and your feelings – they matter too.”
The video was applauded by many Black women, especially those who can relate to the situation like NCAA Champion, Angel Reese, who received a lot of unfair comparisons to Iowa basketball player, Caitlin Clark. “All year I was critiqued about who I was. I don’t fit the narrative. I don’t fit in the box that you all want me to be in. I’m too hood, I’m too ghetto. You told me that all year. But when other people do it, y’all don’t say nothing. So this is for the girls that look like me, that want to speak up on what they believe in.”
According to People Magazine, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ brother, Jackson Mahomes, commented heart emojis under Nicole’s video, despite Nicole unfollowing him on Instagram earlier this month. She also unfollowed Patrick and his wife, Brittany Mahomes, after years of friendship shown on social media.
