Travis Kelce Ex Kayla Nicole Labeled 'Lunatic', Criticised For 'Seeking Attention' By Fans Over Instagram Activity

Kayla Nicole has once again found herself under the unforgiving microscope of celebrity fandom after a single Instagram 'like' reignited debate over her connection to Travis Kelce.

The 34-year-old influencer and sports journalist, who dated the Kansas City Chiefs star on and off for five years, was criticised online after interacting with a post praising Kelce and his brother Jason for a charitable act.

What might have passed unnoticed for most users quickly spiralled into accusations from fans who claimed Nicole was 'seeking attention' and was struggling to move on from her past relationship. The episode highlights how, in the age of hyper-vigilant fandoms, even passive digital gestures can trigger outsized backlash.

How A Charity Post Sparked The Latest Backlash

Kayla details a generous $10,000 donation from the Kelce brothers to Olympic hopeful Laila Edwards. While the gesture by the Kansas City Chiefs star and his brother Jason was widely praised, Nicole's engagement with the news has divided observers, with some labelling her move as a calculated attempt to remain relevant amidst Kelce's high-profile relationship with Taylor Swift.

The drama started when Bleacher Report posted something on Sunday, January 25, showing how kind Travis and his brother, Jason Kelce, were. The duo reportedly stepped in to help finance Laila Edwards' debut at the upcoming Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy. The Kelce brothers reportedly donated $10,000 to a GoFundMe page set up by Edwards' family to help them travel to Milan to support her as she makes history.

Edwards is set to become the first Black woman to ever play for the US women's Olympic ice hockey team, a milestone that has drawn national attention. The caption praised them as 'two great guys that went out of their way when they didn't have to'. However, the focus quickly shifted from the brothers' generosity to a viral screenshot showing that Nicole, 34, had 'liked' the post from her verified account.

Why Fans Are Divided

The reaction from the 'Chiefs Kingdom' and beyond was swift and uncompromising. For many, Nicole's digital nod to her ex-boyfriend's success felt like a calculated move to remain relevant in a narrative that has moved on to his high-profile relationship with Taylor Swift.

Since their final split in August 2022 after a five-year on-and-off relationship, Nicole has frequently been the target of 'Swifties' who scrutinise her social media activity for any signs of 'shade' directed at the pop star. 'KN really dislikes not being talked about. So she seeks attention via social media,' one critic wrote, echoing a sentiment that Nicole is intentionally keeping her name linked to the NFL star.

Some people were even harsher, saying that her past relationship is too closely tied to who she is now. Another user said, 'She knows she's nothing when she's not linked to his name.' 'She will do anything to keep her name in the news, even though she looks crazy.

This backlash shows how much pressure public figures face when dealing with life after a breakup in the public eye, where even a simple double-tap on a screen can be seen as a cry for help or an obsession.

The Long Shadow Of Travis Kelce

This is far from the first time the podcast host has been accused of 'shading' her former flame. Last Halloween, Nicole caused a stir when she dressed up as Toni Braxton from the He Wasn't Man Enough music video. The choice of costume—and the specific lyrics she lip-synced—led many to believe she was taking a swipe at Travis and his fiancée.

The music video itself famously features Braxton confronting a woman who is now with her ex-partner, adding a layer of subtext that fans quickly pointed out. The lyrics in question, 'Don't you know that he was my man? / But I chose to let him go / So, why do you act like I still care about him?' seemed almost too pointed to be a coincidence.

However, Nicole has been firm in her stance that she is not in the 'business' of throwing shade. Speaking on her podcast, Pre-Game With Kayla Nicole, on 8 November 2025, she addressed the rumours head-on. Nicole noted that she chose the costume to celebrate a 'legend in [her] culture' and that the song reminded her of her childhood best friend—also named Taylor—rather than being a jab at any current celebrities.

'As with anything, I think that people will try to project their own narratives,' she explained, noting that the song choice was based on childhood nostalgia rather than current bitterness.

Despite her denials, Nicole has previously admitted to 'petty' behaviour in past relationships, once confessing she had dressed up as an ex's new girlfriend for Halloween. While she didn't name names, fans widely believe she was referring to NBA star Iman Shumpert and his ex-wife, Teyana Taylor, after Nicole recreated Taylor's iconic look from Kanye West's 2016 video 'Fade.'

Nicole has since expressed her desire to move forward, recently stating on her podcast that she is 'ready to rewrite her reputation' and focus on her own career as a sports journalist and her wellness brand, Tribe Therepē. Whether her latest Instagram activity is a genuine gesture of support for a worthy cause or a subtle attempt to stay in the conversation, the scrutiny surrounding Travis Kelce and Kayla Nicole proves that in the world of celebrity, the past is never truly behind you.