Kayla Nicole on Travis Kelce & Dating After Split: ‘The Bar Is in Hell’

Kayla Nicole, former girlfriend of Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, has spoken publicly about their relationship, describing it as “right person, wrong time.” Nicole shared her reflections on Instagram in 2022, according to reports from Page Six and Us Weekly.

Nicole recounted that Kelce had been pursuing her attention online for several months prior to their relationship becoming official. The pair ultimately ended their relationship for the final time in May 2022. Although, she has since expressed difficulty in finding a new partner, lamenting the current dating landscape.

“It’s kinda sad because I feel like dating in 2026 is just hard all the way around,” Nicole said. “I feel like the bar is in hell. So, my new list of requirements is: having a job – that’s at the top of the list.”

Kelce’s life took a different turn following the split with Nicole. In 2023, he began dating singer Taylor Swift, a relationship that quickly garnered significant media attention. The initial attempt to connect with Swift backstage at an Eras Tour concert proved unsuccessful, but Kelce detailed on his “New Heights” podcast how friends subsequently facilitated an introduction.

Swift herself discussed the situation on the same podcast, describing Kelce’s pursuit as a “wild romantic gesture.” She explained that Kelce bypassed standard channels, attempting to reach her through connections at the venue. “This felt like I was in an 80s, John Hughes movie, and he was just standing outside my window with a boombox, being like, ‘I want to date you!’” Swift said. She also noted that Kelce’s actions inspired song lyrics, reflecting a long-held desire for such a bold romantic advance.

Kelce, responding to Swift’s account, jokingly acknowledged that he was listening to her songs while she spoke, aware of the impact his actions had.