sers Compare Travis Kelce’s Ex to Taylor Swift – What to Know About the Pretty Dark-Haired Lady

Football standout Travis Kelce’s current romance with Taylor Swift has sparked comparisons to his ex-girlfriend, who has dark hair. While some observers label his relationship with the Grammy-winning singer as a downgrade from his previous partner, others express that the couple is a great match.

The conversation around Kelce’s current relationship and comparisons to his past has been fueled by the highly publicized start of his romance with Swift in September 2023.

Rumors of their relationship began swirling after the songwriter attended several of Kelce’s games. The football star, during an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” podcast, shared how their connection started.

After attending her “Eras Tour” performance at Arrowhead Stadium in July 2023, Kelce mentioned that he “threw the ball in her court,” inviting her to one of his games.

This early glimpse into their connection set the stage for intense public interest, with Kelce and Swift subtly confirming their relationship in separate interviews in 2023.

In one interview, Kelce described his girlfriend as “hilarious” and “a genius,” adding that their shared values deepen their bond. “Everybody knows I’m a family guy,” he remarked, emphasizing how closely Swift’s family is involved in her career and how it aligns with his outlook.

The Kansas City Chiefs tight end also addressed the unique challenges of dating someone in her position, “Obviously I’ve never dated anyone with that kind of aura about them…. The scrutiny she gets… and she’s just living, enjoying life. When she acts like that I better not be the one acting all strange.”

Kelce’s reflections on the unique dynamics of dating someone like Swift seamlessly complement her own perspective, which she shared in her own interview.

The music sensation revealed that their relationship began after Kelce “adorably put [her] on blast” on his podcast, calling it “metal as hell.” They started spending time together shortly after, enjoying a private period to connect away from the public eye.

“By the time I went to that first game, we were a couple,” Swift clarified, addressing misconceptions that their debut at his game was their first date. “We would never be psychotic enough to hard launch a first date.”

The “Blank Space” hitmaker further highlighted the simplicity of their relationship, noting that being public means supporting each other openly without concern for outside opinions. She contrasted this with the effort required to hide a relationship, expressing pride in their connection and mutual encouragement.

Their openness and mutual support have resonated with fans, sparking admiration across social media platforms. After Kelce and Swift were seen celebrating the Chiefs’ advancement to the Super Bowl recently, many took to X to share their enthusiasm for the couple.

One user wrote, “Press ❤️ if u r gonna watch a Super Bowl only because Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce😅 Go Chiefs🏆.” Another shared, “Taylor and Travis are good together. Bonus is that Donna approves.” Others chimed in with praise, including, “Love seeing them enjoy the moment together,” and one stated, “They’re so cute.”

Despite the wave of admiration for Kelce and Swift’s relationship, the spotlight on their romance has also fueled comparisons to his past partners. Many social media users on X voiced strong opinions, particularly contrasting Swift with Kelce’s ex-girlfriend Kayla Nicole.

One user commented, “Travis Kelce downgraded to Taylor Swift from Nichole.” Others echoed similar sentiments, with one stating, “Travis Kelce surely downgraded from his last GF to this,” and another claiming, “Travis Kelce downgraded hard… he’s depressed, no question about it.”

Some opinions focused on appearance, with a user observing, “For some reason, most BW think Kayla Nicole better than Taylor Swift even though Swift been in the game since 2015 [sic],” while another added, “& yes kayla nicole do look better than taylor swift !!! & i said what i [expletive] said so you swifties can fight me if you wanna !!! [sic]”

Others took a more nuanced approach, such as one commenter who wrote,“kayla nicole looks so much better than taylor swift. i love my black queens [sic].”

“Yes Kayla Nicole looks better than Taylor Swift but looks ain’t everything especially when you picking a life partner—compatibility is more important [sic],” said one user. Another noted, “Kayla Nicole look a lot better than A LOT of y’all favorite singers and pop stars lmao it’s not just Taylor Swift.”

These heated comparisons have brought renewed attention to Kelce’s past relationship with Nicole, a sports journalist. The two began dating in 2017, with Nicole later revealing the story behind their connection during a Q&A session.

According to the media personality, Kelce had been following her on Instagram and engaging with her posts through likes, but without sending any messages. Eventually, she decided to take the initiative and sent him a direct message on New Year’s, which sparked the start of their relationship.

Nicole and Kelce shared an on-again/off-again relationship that faced its share of public scrutiny. During a brief split in 2020, infidelity rumors circulated, which Kelce quickly shut down, “This is fake news… a lie… and not why Kayla and I broke up… take all your hatred somewhere else please.”

When their relationship ended for good in 2022, further allegations surfaced, suggesting Kelce required Nicole to pay “half of everything” and was “cheap.”

However, he denied these claims, “You’ve got to be crazy if you’d think I’d never helped or gave her a couple thousand to grab some food or she gave me some money to go get some food…. we were in a relationship for five years. A hundred dollars here, a hundred dollars there wasn’t even thought about.”

The public interest in Kelce’s past with Nicole continues, a topic she touched on during an October 2024 appearance on the “Unapologetically Angel” podcast.

Reflecting on their time together, Nicole referred to her relationship with Kelce as a “good time” in her life and described him as a “great guy.” According to her, since Kelce’s relationship with Swift began, their interactions have been minimal to avoid sparking any unnecessary speculation.

They’ve bumped into each other publicly, but they “keep it moving” to prevent misunderstandings. When asked about personal growth, Nicole said, “So many lessons learned,” noting it as a common theme in her past relationships.

Nicole’s comments about her past with Kelce highlight the ongoing challenges she has faced since their breakup, especially as public interest in his relationship with Swift remains strong.

In a preview of “Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test,” released more than a year after Kelce and Swift went public with their romance, Nicole became emotional while reflecting on the breakup.

“Going through a public breakup, it’s been overwhelming,” she admitted. Nicole has endured negative comments on social media since Kelce and Swift began dating.

She revealed that people have called her “worthless” and claimed she has “no career” or talent, adding that she has never done anything to deserve such backlash. The challenges Nicole has faced since her breakup with Kelce have not overshadowed her professional achievements and personal passions.

In addition to her role as a sports analyst, Nicole holds a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from Pepperdine University and has a strong affinity for hosting.

Beyond her work in media, she is also a model and fashion influencer. Fitness is another significant part of her life, which she channels through her own brand, Tribe Therepe.

Despite the public scrutiny surrounding her past relationship with Travis Kelce, Nicole has remained focused on her career and personal growth. Her achievements in media, fashion, and fitness highlight her multifaceted talents and dedication to her passions.