Kayla Nicole’s Take On Modern Dating: ‘Men Are The Problem’

Kayla Nicole is opening up about the challenges of dating, revealing her frustrations with modern relationships and the behavior of men.

The sports commentator and influencer, known for her past high-profile relationship with NFL star Travis Kelce, recently shared her candid thoughts on finding genuine connection in today’s dating landscape.

In a recent conversation, Kayla Nicole reflected on her personal experiences and the lessons she’s learned over time, emphasizing the importance of self-prioritization in relationships.

Having endured public scrutiny and online negativity following her breakup with Kelce, she has developed a new perspective on love that she hopes will resonate with others navigating similar experiences.

“So to anyone that’s dating a pro athlete, I always say, ‘Girl, put you first. Love your man down,” she told PEOPLE Magazine. “Also, remember who you are and what your goals are, too.”

She stressed that relationships with public figures aren’t always as glamorous as they may seem. “I think, too, we make it seem like it’s such a glamorous lifestyle, but at the end of the day, it’s another human, and it’s another man,” she explained.

And when it comes to the challenges of dating, Nicole didn’t hold back. “I will stand on this hill that dating men in general is a challenge,” she declared. “So I don’t care what his job is. If he’s an athlete, a doctor, a lawyer, he works at FedEx. Good luck.”

With a pointed conclusion, Nicole summed up her feelings in a simple yet bold statement: “It’s men that are the problem these days.”

Nicole recently joined the elite ranks of celebrities who have successfully completed the grueling “Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test” selection course. The model and sports broadcaster pushed herself to the limit, emerging victorious despite the show’s intense physical and mental challenges.

Nicole admitted that she contemplated quitting multiple times, but finishing was her “only option.” The experience forced her to tap into a resilience she didn’t know she had, making her even stronger in the end.

However, the journey was not just about physical endurance as it also brought her face-to-face with her past.

During the premiere episode, Nicole met with the directing staff in the mirror room, where she was blindsided when a conversation aired about her ex-boyfriend Kelce and his new relationship with Taylor Swift.

Despite having prior discussions with production ensuring that her past romance would not be mentioned, Nicole was shocked when the topic was brought up. “I was completely floored,” she admitted in a Zoom interview with Decider.

While the moment was jarring, Nicole believes it was ultimately meant to test her emotional strength. “I think that the overall purpose of that whole conversation was really to allow me to open up emotionally, but also to tap into my strength,” she explained. “And that’s what this entire process has really taught me, that my mind is so much stronger than I could ever have imagined.”

Early in the season, Nicole courageously opened up about the impact of social media criticism, particularly in the wake of her ex’s new relationship. Her experience on “Special Forces” has played a significant role in helping her navigate those challenges, allowing her to overcome feelings of self-doubt and build resilience.

“I’m really, truly thankful for this experience,” she told Decider. “It obviously was filmed almost like a year ago now. So the person that I was then is very different from the person that I am now, thankfully. We’re growing and we’re learning.”

She added, “But I’m so proud of this success in my life, you know, making it through selection because I think a lot of times, just as a woman in the public eye in general, a lot of my success is attributed to who I’m in close proximity with. And in this situation, nobody can take this success story from me. I did this. It was my grit, it was my grind. And I’m really proud of that.”

The relationship between the sports journalist and the Kansas City Chiefs tight end became public in 2017, shortly after Kelce ended his romance with model Maya Benberry.

Their connection first caught attention when Nicole reached out to Kelce via Instagram, leading to her attending Jeremy Maclin’s wedding alongside him. Over the next year, the couple continued making public appearances, including red carpet outings at the ESPY Awards and the Kids’ Choice Sports Awards.

However, the relationship ultimately ended in May 2022, concluding their five-year, on-again, off-again romance.