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Kayla Nicole, known as Travis Kelce’s former partner prior to his wedding to Taylor Swift, is basking in the spotlight with a newfound zest for life. Recently, she graced the inaugural TIME100 Sports Gala, an event honoring the most influential in sports, held in New York City on July 16, 2026. The accomplished sports journalist and podcast host caught everyone’s attention in a pastel blue halterneck creation by Cult Gaia, paired stylishly with delicate heels, a sleek ponytail, and cool-toned makeup that complemented her look. Nicole later shared her red carpet experience on Instagram, offering a peek at her striking poses and brimming confidence.
“Imagine thinking I was in my prime, and I just keep getting better and better,” Nicole’s cheeky caption read. Needless to say, her followers were obsessed. As one such fan gushed, “Always flawlessly beautiful!!!!” Another said, “We over here playing with AI and here you come! Gorgeous!” A third added, “Just wow.” The Sports Illustrated model’s latest outing comes after Kayla Nicole enjoyed a lavish getaway in France on the heels of Travis Kelce’s wedding to the pop superstar. She and the Kansas City Chiefs tight end dated for roughly five years before calling it quits for good in 2022. “So happy you left that boy alone!!” another commenter enthused. “Now you deserve a man queen.”
Is Kayla Nicole currently dating anyone?
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In a candid chat with TMZ at Hollywood Unlocked’s 6th Annual Impact Awards in Beverly Hills this past June, Kayla Nicole gave insights into her love life. “I’m single as a dollar bill,” she declared with a smile. Expanding on her romantic endeavors, she shared that she’s open to dating and exploring different possibilities. When asked if she has a special interest, the “Welcome to the Pregame” podcast host emphasized that the attention is on her, stating, “People are focused on me. That’s the vibe and energy I’m putting out there.”
After a very public split from Travis Kelce, Nicole hasn’t shied away from expressing her desire for a partner who possesses “power” in her future relationships. Living a life of luxury, the Sports Illustrated beauty isn’t willing to compromise on her standards. During an appearance on the podcast “Behind the Likes” in 2024, she confidently articulated her preference, saying, “I find myself drawn to men in powerful positions, who, in turn, are attracted to me.” Despite her affinity for powerful partners, she did express a desire to branch out beyond the sports industry, noting, “I would love to date an executive in a record label or a film producer.”
That said, in a July 2026 interview with Spiritual World, the sports journalist seemed to have changed her tune slightly, admitting that she no longer believes in finding the perfect partner or even in the idea of a perfect relationship. “Love […] takes a lot of hard work,” Nicole acknowledged. “So I don’t even know if I need perfection. I just need real.”