Travis Kelce’s ex-girlfriend Kayla Nicole broke down into tears as she reflected on the online backlash after discussing their prior relationship on the “Unapologetically Angel” podcast.
“After the podcast came out, I thought that I handled things with grace,” the sports broadcaster said during Tuesday’s episode of “I Am Athlete Daily.”
“I thought that I answered the questions to the best of my ability. The public had their interpretation of things — didn’t matter to me.”
Although the model and influencer wasn’t initially bothered by the social media reactions, her mother called and expressed concern.
“My mom calls me though — and it’s those conversations … that’s what matters to me,” Nicole continued.
“Because she’s offended, she’s hurt by the way people are perceiving her daughter, she’s hurt with the negative headlines and the way that people are spinning it.”
The visibly emotional 32-year-old then laughed as she shared the advice from her mother.
“My mom was like, ‘Maybe next time, we don’t answer those questions,’ and it’s as simple as that. Don’t give it any energy. You don’t have to always respond,” Nicole said.
Earlier in the episode, Nicole wiped away tears as she explained the lesson she learned amid the media frenzy surrounding her ex Kelce’s relationship with Taylor Swift.
“I think it’s in my nature to be myself and to lead with myself and to give all of myself and people don’t deserve that,” she said.
“Because it’s not going to always be received in the intent that I mean for it to be received. I don’t have control over public perception.”
Nicole came under fire last week after she discussed various topics on Thursday’s episode of the “Unapologetically Angel” podcast, including her former romance with the Kansas City Chiefs tight end and the “crazy” reason she dressed up as Teyana Taylor for Halloween.
The fitness influencer addressed rumors that Kelce, 35, was “cheap” and split the bills 50/50 during their relationship, calling the claims “ridiculous.”
“Do I look like anybody that would split anything?” she quipped in response to host Angel Reese’s question. “Yeah, that was never an issue in our relationship but it was definitely a rumor on the internet.”
Nicole also faced blowback for admitting to dressing up as Taylor, 33, for Halloween after Iman Shumpert allegedly dumped her for the R&B artist.
She ruffled feathers when she referred to the “Coming 2 America” star as a “singer/actress who was famous at the time.”
In response, Taylor threw shade at Nicole by sharing a carousel of her upcoming projects on Instagram with Swift’s hit song “Shake It Off.”
“I know 2025 gone hate to see a Taylor coming!! ❤️🔥🌹🎥🎬🎞️ 💸,” the mom of two captioned the post. “Me: You did ya big one 🙏🏾 God: AND DID 🤲🏾.”