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Kayla Nicole is opening up about her high-profile breakup with Travis Kelce — and the impact it's had on her life.
In a sneak peek of Special Forces: World's Toughest Test, the 33-year-old influencer got candid about the emotional toll of her breakup with the Kansas City Chiefs tight end, 35.
"Going through a public breakup, it's been overwhelming," Nicole said in a voiceover, wiping away tears in the preview for the Fox reality series.
When asked by her co-stars who her ex was, the sports broadcaster quietly confirmed it was Kelce.
For those out of the loop, the pair started dating in 2017 after the football star had been "stalking" Nicole on Instagram. "I was just stalking her and then finally on New Year's, she gave in," he explained to E! News in February 2022. "And, you know, New Year new me. She just shot her shot, jumped in my DMs and the rest is history." Their relationship, which lasted five years on and off, ended for good in 2022.
Since the split, the YouTuber has faced relentless social media trolling, especially after her former flame made his romance with Taylor Swift public last September. "I would be lying if I said that that level of hate and just, like, online chaos didn't impact me — it does," she admitted on the Unapologetically Angel podcast — hosted by WNBA player Angel Reese — in October.
Nicole continued, "Even to this day, you can go to my most recent post and it will be people debating each other why I am worthless, why I'll never be a talented person, I have no career."
The Pepperdine University grad also addressed rumors surrounding her relationship with Kelce, including speculation that she paid for half of everything. "That was never an issue in our relationship," she said on the podcast at the time. "I don't even know why that became a thing."
Kelce similarly dismissed the financial gossip during an interview with The Pivot Podcast in January 2023, calling it "crazy" and urging fans, "Don't buy into that s***."
Despite the challenges, Nicole says she's focusing on moving forward. In an Instagram post last year, she encouraged her followers to protect their peace. "Preserve your heart even when they try to quantify your character and test your boundaries," she wrote. "You do not have to respond. Because there is power in your silence."
Catch Nicole on the new season of Special Forces: World's Toughest Test on Wednesday, January 8.
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