When NFL star Travis Kelce got down on one knee in a rose-filled backyard and asked Taylor Swift to marry him, fans around the world swooned. But back home, someone else had a different reaction, Kelce’s ex-girlfriend, Kayla Nicole.
The sports journalist didn’t name names, but her Instagram Stories said enough.
A Fiery Response
Hours after the engagement news made headlines, Kayla hit the gym and hit back with a pointed message. Posting a video of her workout, she paired it with Gunna’s track Made for This S–t. In bold text across the clip, she wrote:
“The goal? A back that says stop f–king playing with me.”
It wasn’t subtle. The statement, paired with her fierce workout energy, read less like heartbreak and more like a woman reclaiming her power.
The Engagement Everyone’s Talking About
Kelce’s romantic proposal to Swift reportedly came complete with roses and a diamond ring said to be worth around R15 million. The couple shared intimate photos of the moment online, sparking both celebration and chatter across social media.
For Kayla, who dated Kelce on and off between 2017 and 2022, the announcement clearly stirred some emotions. But instead of tears, her posts leaned into strength, joy, and self-reflection.
A Message About Joy
Just days after her fiery gym post, Kayla shared a clip of actress Tracee Ellis Ross talking about the difference between happiness and joy.
“Joy is something that you earn and work for and takes practice,” Ross explained. Kayla captioned it: “I aspire. So so good.” She also referenced the book Choose Joy: Because Happiness Isn’t Enough.
It was a telling moment, her way of showing followers that she’s choosing growth, not grudges.
Owning the Narrative
This isn’t the first time Kayla has addressed Kelce’s high-profile romance with Swift. Earlier this year, on her Pre-Game podcast, she admitted:
“I think as women, something we struggle with is admitting that the new girl might be popping. If you’re gonna lose, I want to lose to the best team now. Make me look good.”
It was a refreshing mix of honesty and humor that resonated with fans who’ve been through public or very personal, breakups.
Public Reaction
On X and Instagram, fans were divided. Some applauded Kayla for keeping her composure and focusing on self-love, while others felt her workout message showed a flash of raw emotion that anyone in her position would understand.
For many women, her posts felt relatable, a reminder that even when life throws a curveball, there’s dignity in channeling pain into progress.
Kelce and Swift’s engagement may be the fairy tale dominating global headlines, but Kayla Nicole’s response is a reminder of the very real human stories that ripple behind the scenes.
She’s not just the “ex”, she’s a woman carving her own lane, showing resilience, and, as she put it, building a back strong enough to carry it all.
This isn’t just a celebrity love triangle, it’s a modern story about resilience, choosing joy, and how women publicly navigate heartbreak in an era where every reaction is scrutinized.
{Source: The South African}
Featured Image: X {@VibeMagazine}
