Kayla Nicole, Travis Kelce’s ex-girlfriend, went viral for her Toni Braxton-inspired Halloween video that fans believe shades Kelce and Taylor Swift. Learn about her age, career, family, and recent controversies.
 | |
|
Kayla Nicole is an American model, journalist, and entrepreneur best known for her work in sports and entertainment media and for her high-profile relationship with NFL star Travis Kelce. A graduate of Pepperdine University, she has worked with ESPN and Barstool Sports and now runs her fitness and wellness brand, Tribe Therepe.
Kayla Nicole Overview:
| Category | Details | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Kayla Nicole Brown | ||||
| Age (2026) |
| ||||
| Profession |
| ||||
| Education |
| ||||
| Ex-Boyfriend |
| ||||
| Brands |
| ||||
| Profession |
| ||||
| Net Worth |
| ||||
|
|
Kayla Nicole, the former girlfriend of NFL star Travis Kelce, is back in the spotlight—and this time, it’s not for her relationship status but for her bold Halloween costume. The model and influencer recreated Toni Braxton’s 2000 hit music video He Wasn’t Man Enough for Me, and fans quickly connected it to her ex, who is now engaged to global pop icon Taylor Swift. What was supposed to be a festive Halloween post turned into a viral conversation about old relationships, subtle messages, and celebrity drama.
The Halloween Post That Broke the Internet
On October 31, 2025, Kayla Nicole shared a glamorous Halloween video where she transformed into Toni Braxton from the He Wasn’t Man Enough music video. She nailed every detail—from the sleek outfit to the confident moves and video transitions.
In her caption, she wrote:
“She’s an icon. She’s a legend. She’s @tonibraxton circa 2000. #Halloween25.”
While some fans praised her for perfectly capturing the R&B star’s energy, others saw something deeper. The lyrics featured in the video—"Do you know I dumped your husband, girlfriend? Do you know he begged to stay with me?” —fuelled speculation that Nicole was throwing shade at Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift.
Why Fans Think It Was About Travis Kelce
Nicole and Kelce dated from 2017 to 2022, appearing together at multiple red carpet events and NFL games. Their breakup made headlines, and though both have since moved on, fans haven’t forgotten their five-year romance.
Since mid-2023, Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift’s relationship has become one of the most talked-about celebrity pairings. The couple recently got engaged and are reportedly planning a lavish wedding. However, the moment Nicole shared her Halloween tribute, fans began to make connections.
The timing raised eyebrows because Taylor Swift’s new album, The Life of a Showgirl, includes a track titled Opalite—and many fans believe the song subtly references Kelce’s relationship with Nicole. One lyric in particular caught everyone’s attention:
“You were in it for real; she was on her phone.”
Swifties connected it to an old clip where Kelce once told Nicole to “get off your phone.” So when Kayla appeared in a video that echoes the message “I had him first,” social media exploded with speculation.
The tweet that fuelled the speculation further was deleted.
As if the Halloween post wasn’t enough, fans dug up an old tweet from Kayla Nicole’s account from 2010 that read, “A taken man is more attractive than a single one… idk, something about the competition…”
Even though it was over a decade old, it resurfaced just hours after her Halloween post and quickly went viral. Nicole deleted it soon after, but screenshots spread across the internet. Many users accused her of “stalking” or “obsessing” over Kelce and Swift’s relationship.
Neither Taylor Swift nor Travis Kelce has commented on the situation, but fans on both sides have had plenty to say online.
What Travis Kelce Said About Taylor Swift
While Kayla’s posts stirred online drama, Travis Kelce has stayed focused on football—and publicly supportive of Swift. In a recent episode of his New Heights podcast, he praised her latest album, saying:
“Let’s just give it up for Taylor real quick… She’s done it again. She’s put the world on tilt.”
He added, “Watching her go through all of her press tour and talk shows—she’s looked amazing, sounded amazing, and this album is absolutely amazing. If you haven’t heard it yet, go check out The Life of a Showgirl”.
It’s clear that Kelce and Swift are in a happy phase of their relationship, even as Nicole’s name keeps popping up in fan debates.
From Reporter to Entrepreneur
Away from the drama, Kayla Nicole has built an impressive career. Born on November 2, 1991, in Los Angeles, she earned her degree in Broadcast Journalism from Pepperdine University. She began her career as a sports reporter, working for outlets like ESPN and Barstool Sports, covering major sporting events.
Her charm and communication skills opened doors in entertainment journalism too—she’s interviewed stars like Will Ferrell, Amy Poehler, and Sterling K. Brown.
As her social media presence grew, Kayla became a recognised influencer and fitness advocate. In 2020, she launched her fitness brand Strong Is Sexy (SIS), which she later rebranded as Tribe Therepe in 2023. The new version focuses on both physical and mental wellness, inspired by her own experiences with anxiety and depression after her public breakup.
She has since become an advocate for mental health awareness and self-care, promoting therapy and fitness as tools for healing.
The Online Pressure After the Breakup
After her split from Travis Kelce in 2022, Kayla Nicole opened up about how harsh social media can be. She admitted that the negative comments and constant comparisons to Taylor Swift affected her confidence.
In an interview, she said, “It was difficult to log on and see so many opinions about my life from people who don’t know me. I had to disconnect, heal, and remind myself who I am outside of all that noise.”
That honesty resonated with many followers who admired her transparency and resilience.
Public Reactions: Tribute or Clapback?
The internet remains divided over her Toni Braxton costume. Some call it an empowering tribute to a music legend; others believe it was a well-timed “clapback”.
Supporters say Nicole was simply celebrating a powerful R&B icon known for expressing strength after heartbreak. Critics argue that the choice of song and timing—so close to Swift’s album release—was no coincidence.
Regardless of intent, the post did exactly what it was meant to: grab attention. Within hours, her video had millions of views, with fans dissecting every lyric and look.
Who Is Kayla Nicole Beyond the Headlines?
Kayla Nicole isn’t just an ex or a viral name—she’s a multifaceted woman with achievements in journalism, fitness, and entrepreneurship. She’s 33 years old, stands 5'7", and lives in Los Angeles.
She’s close to her family—her parents Robin Curry and Roosevelt Brown, her stepfather Gary Curry, and her sisters Layla, Ayva, and Jayda. She’s also a proud pet mom to two dogs, Chauncey (Akita) and Rambo (Goldendoodle).
In 2023, she took on a new challenge by joining Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test Season 3 on Fox, a reality show that puts celebrities through military-style endurance challenges.
Final Thoughts
Kayla Nicole’s Halloween post shows how even a creative tribute can turn into a trending topic when past relationships and pop culture collide. Whether it was a nod to Toni Braxton or a subtle message to her ex, it reminded everyone how much power a single post holds in the digital age.
She continues to balance her public image with her personal growth, proving that she’s more than just part of someone else’s story. While the internet debates her intentions, Kayla Nicole seems focused on her own path—one that includes fitness, self-love, and perhaps a touch of unapologetic confidence.
FAQs About Kayla Nicole
1. Who is Kayla Nicole?
A: Kayla Nicole is an American model, journalist, and entrepreneur. She’s best known for her work as a sports reporter for ESPN and Barstool Sports, her fitness brand Tribe Therepe, and her past relationship with NFL star Travis Kelce.
2. How old is Kayla Nicole?
A: Kayla Nicole was born on November 2, 1991. As of 2025, she is 34 years old.
3. What is Kayla Nicole famous for?
A: She gained public attention for her five-year relationship with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and her successful career in sports media and fitness. Recently, she went viral for recreating Toni Braxton’s He Wasn’t Man Enough for Me music video for Halloween 2025.
4. Why did Travis Kelce and Kayla Nicole break up?
A: While neither has shared full details, reports suggest their busy schedules and personal differences led to the split in 2022. Both have since moved on—Kelce is now engaged to Taylor Swift.
5. Did Kayla Nicole shade Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce?
A: Fans speculated that Kayla’s Toni Braxton-inspired Halloween video was a subtle jab at her ex and Taylor Swift. However, Kayla never confirmed that the post had any hidden message.
0 Comments
Comment Below! 🌟 Your thoughts matter to us!