Travis Kelce‘s ex-girlfriend Kayla Nicole has been under the Swifties’ radar since her Halloween costume turned viral online. Her Toni Braxton-inspired bold outfit led to endless chatter among fans who wondered if it was a calculated diss at Kelce and Taylor Swift.
Two weeks later, Nicole finally responded to the rumors. Her explanation hasn’t convinced everyone, though.
Kelce’s Ex Addresses Rumors and Responds to Taylor Swift Speculation
Kayla Nicole sported a Toni Braxton outfit from the 2000 music video “He Wasn’t Man Enough” for Halloween on October 31, 2025. The costume got attention because the song talks about stealing someone’s man.
Nicole and Kelce dated on and off from 2017 to 2022 before he got romantically involved with Swift. It was not her bold dress actually, but the song’s wild lyrics made fans think she threw shade at the power couple. Not to mention, timing played a coincidentally perfect role here.
On her podcast “The Pre-Game with Kayla Nicole,” Nicole addressed the rumors. “I am not in the business of tearing other women down. I’m in the business of celebrating them,” she said. “For me, this moment was about celebrating an icon in my culture.”
👀 Kayla Nicole addresses the rumors that she shaded Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce with her Halloween costume. https://t.co/NlWOKdDQwR
🎥: The Pre-Game With Kayla Nicole pic.twitter.com/D79emkTjog
— TMZ (@TMZ) November 12, 2025
Nicole explained that growing up in a strict Christian household limited her Halloween celebrations. She could only attend church events and wear costumes like an angel or a fish.
“I feel like Halloween is an opportunity for you to let your creative flag fly. As someone who grew up in a black Christian household who wasn’t allowed to celebrate Halloween for real unless she was going to the church trunk holiday party and I could dress up as like an angel or a fish,” she added.
She ended her podcast segment by celebrating Braxton’s influence and ignoring the negativity. “Shoutout to Toni Braxton,” she said. “That comment alone made me feel like I won Halloween.”
Social media wasn’t buying it completely. Many exploded with theories about whether Nicole intended to shade the couple. Some critics pointed out that her friends and the photographer seemed to suggest otherwise in their comments. But she maintained her stance throughout the entire podcast.
Nicole Moves Forward After Kelce Breakup
The breakup between Nicole and Kelce played out in the public eye.
She appeared on “Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test” where she opened up about the emotional toll of the split. “Experiences like this put life into perspective,” Nicole said about showing her “vulnerable” side on the show.
“Experiences like this put life into perspective.” 🗯️ Kayla Nicole opened up about showcasing her “vulnerable” side on Special Forces. pic.twitter.com/Ff2mVrVzrt
— Page Six (@PageSix) December 17, 2024
She was also spotted celebrating when the Philadelphia Eagles defeated Kelce’s Kansas City Chiefs at Super Bowl LIX in February 2025. The sighting added fuel to speculation about lingering tensions between the exes.
Travis Kelce’s ex-girlfriend Kayla Nicole attended the Super Bowl 2025 on Sunday — and proudly cheered for the Philadelphia Eagles. 🤷♀️ pic.twitter.com/2EMW7lJTDC
— Page Six (@PageSix) February 10, 2025
Nicole has been building her own brand since the split. She hosts her podcast and maintains an active social media presence, but in her natural bold fashion. She’s focused on moving past the drama and creating positive representation.
Her Halloween choice was about self-expression and cultural appreciation rather than revenge or shade. However, the controversy highlights how Nicole’s every move gets scrutinized in Kelce’s shadow.
Also Read: Kayla Nicole’s Bold Halloween Statement Has Fans Convinced She’s Not Over Travis Kelce Yet
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