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Travis Kelce’s Ex Kayla Nicole Speaks Out with Message to ‘Preserve Your Heart’
Reporter and fitness influencer Kayla Nicole wrote a powerful open letter to Black girls amid the “backlash” she’s gotten from online trolls as her ex-boyfriend Travis Kelce moves on to new relationships.
In a video shared on Instagram, Nicole, 31, whose past broadcast work includes ESPN, read her thoughtful message to the camera. “It’s always been really important for me to use my platform, not to create division, but to elevate and unite women, Black women specifically,” she said before beginning her address.
“Dear Black girl, they may call you a traitor for falling in love. You’ll hope the ones closest will protect you, but you will quickly find out that people don’t protect what they don’t value. They’ll say you’re too much, too provocative, too boisterous, too outspoken, and in the same breath, tell you that you aren’t enough.”
Nicole continued, “They’ll say you deserve the backlash and embarrassment. Because of your Blackness, you should have known better. They’ll even try to tie your value to your net worth. But Black girl, please remember your value lies elsewhere. Your value is deep within your heart.”
“You don’t have to participate in this tumultuous, often one-sided journey. Preserve your heart, even when they try to quantify your character and test your boundaries, you do not have to engage. You do not have to respond because there is power in your silence.”
Nicole encouraged listeners to use “that same power” to “silence the voices” that feed “this demoralizing and antiquated narrative.”
The model and host said she hopes sharing the message will remind other Black girls that they aren’t alone in their journeys. “My truth, trauma, and vulnerability are a relatable part of the human experience. I know I’m not alone and I want to make sure you know that you’re not either. On days when I feel most inadequate, I have to remind myself that I am, have been, and will always be more than enough,” Nicole read.
Reflecting on the ups and downs of relationships, Nicole said, “We love, we hurt, we heal,” adding, “Your story is yours to tell. when you feel like nobody knows or understands what it takes to be you, remember that you are a part of something way bigger.”
Concluding the letter, Nicole said, “Most importantly, I want you to remember that you are loved. You are valued. You are allowed to take up space. You deserve protection and your feelings — they matter too.”
Kayla Nicole attends the Actively Black NYFW after party at PEAK at Hudson Yards on September 08, 2023 in New York City. BENNETT RAGLIN/GETTY
Nicole’s video earned high praise from sports personalities like college basketball star Angel Reese. The 21-year-old NCAA champion wrote, “From one black girl to another, THANK YOU for speaking up for us! This was beautiful! Always walk with grace & God because that’s all that matters,” in the comments on Nicole’s post.
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Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ brother, Jackson Mahomes, showed his support with heart emojis in the comments, despite Nicole unfollowing him on the app earlier this month along with Patrick and Brittany Mahomes.
Travis Kelce’s Ex Kayla Nicole Unfollows Brittany and Patrick Mahomes on Instagram amid Taylor Swift Rumors. BENNETT RAGLIN/GETTY; STEVE GRANITZ/FILMMAGIC
MTV’s Catfish host Kamie Crawford praised Nicole’s “grace” in a comment on the post, adding, “So proud of you and your grace.” Additionally, San Francisco 49ers star George Kittle’s wife, Claire Kittle, wrote, “I love you,” on Nicole’s post.
Kelce and Nicole started dating in 2017. While it remains unclear when Nicole and Kelce initially met, Nicole previously revealed that they first connected through Instagram. “He had been following me and insta-flirting for a few months,” she revealed in a since-deleted Instagram Story captured by TMZ.
Over the course of their relationship, Kelce and Nicole split publicly more than once. In May 2022, the couple broke up for a final time.
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