Travis Kelce’s ex-girlfriend Kayla Nicole shares her own surprise news on the day NFL star gets engaged

Kayla Nicole, the ex-girlfriend of Travis Kelce, seemed unfazed by the NFL star’s engagement to Taylor Swift on Tuesday evening, choosing instead to spotlight her family in her first post since the bombshell news broke.

The Kansas City Chiefs tight end and his pop superstar fiancée set social media ablaze with their engagement announcement after a whirlwind two-year romance. Swift revealed the news on Instagram with a series of dreamy photos showing Kelce down on one knee, paired with her cheeky caption: “Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married.” The post immediately went viral, drawing millions of reactions from fans, teammates, and celebrities alike.

But while the world buzzed about the proposal, Nicole turned her attention elsewhere. Taking to her Instagram story, the influencer proudly shared that her younger sister Layla had transferred to Langston University, an HBCU, where she will be suiting up for the women’s basketball team. Nicole used the moment to encourage fans to support Layla’s program, writing: “They’re raising funds to support the program this season, and every dollar truly helps these women chase their dreams on and off the court. If you can, tap the link below to donate and show some love to Layla and the LU Lady Lions.”

Nicole and Kelce dated on and off for about five years before officially calling it quits in 2022. A year later, Kelce went public with his romance with Swift, when she was spotted cheering him on during a Chiefs game against the Chicago Bears in September 2023. Since then, their relationship has grown into one of the most publicized romances in both sports and entertainment.

Nicole, meanwhile, has often found herself in the spotlight by extension. She has spoken openly about the toll her high-profile breakup took on her, particularly as Kelce’s relationship with Swift became a global talking point. In an interview last year with WNBA star Angel Reese on Unapologetically Angel, Nicole revealed that she and Kelce can no longer even speak if they cross paths in public because of his new “situation” with Swift. She also opened up about the backlash she’s faced from Swift’s dedicated fanbase, admitting the online abuse left her struggling.

“I think the combination of everything is the perfect storm to make you want to disappear from the world entirely,” she told Reese. “Behind closed doors, the hardest part is losing a partner, a best friend—going from speaking every day to cutting ties. Then you throw in social media. I would be lying if I said that level of hate and online chaos didn’t impact me, even to this day.” Nicole added that the harassment often spills into her comment sections, with strangers debating her worth, despite her insistence that she has done nothing to warrant such attacks.

She also previously admitted to a falling-out with Kansas City Chiefs WAGs she once considered friends, including Brittany Mahomes. That contrast was on full display Tuesday, as Brittany was among the first to celebrate Kelce and Swift’s engagement. Posting on Instagram, she gushed: “Two of the most genuine people meet and fall in love. Just so happy for these two.” Patrick Mahomes joined in as well, reposting Swift’s announcement with three red heart emojis.

The Kansas City Chiefs organization also offered a warm tribute, writing: “Today is a fairytale. Congrats to Travis and Taylor—we’re excited to have you as a permanent member of the Chiefs Kingdom family!”

Swift’s engagement post included a series of romantic images from the proposal and featured her track “So High School”—a love song many fans believe was written for Kelce. While the couple’s engagement captivated the internet, Kayla Nicole kept her focus on family, proving that even in the shadow of one of the year’s biggest celebrity announcements, she is determined to celebrate her own loved ones and move forward on her own terms.