Kayla Nicole, the ex-girlfriend of NFL star Travis Kelce, has spoken out about her fear of online hate following the release of Taylor Swift’s new album The Life of a Showgirl.
In a recent episode of her podcast, The Pre-Game With Kayla Nicole, she admitted that she often worries about receiving negative comments and messages on social media.
And it would seem that Swift's new album hasn't helped matters.
Kayla Nicole On Online Hate
In a conversation with former television host Joy Taylor, Nicole referenced Mariah Carey’s insightful quote on public criticism: “Mariah Carey said something so poignant the other day — love this queen. She said: ‘It’s just so strange — if people want to talk about me and that’s what they want to do with their lives, then OK. Let them do it.’”
Despite Carey’s philosophy on ignoring online chatter, Nicole revealed that she finds herself consumed by it. “As someone who obsesses over the fact that I am, on a daily basis, terrified of my comments, am terrified of my DMs — I don’t want to be triggered, I don’t want to care, I don’t want to look — but you’re f***ing right,” she confessed.
Nicole ended the segment with a defiant message: “If you’re going to talk s**t and run your mouth, please do it so I can pay a bill around here.”
Taylor Swift’s 'Opalite' and the Alleged Shade Toward Kayla Nicole
The source of the online buzz surrounding Nicole comes from Taylor Swift’s newly released track 'Opalite', which many fans suspect contains a reference to Kayla Nicole.
The song, from Swift’s 12th album The Life of a Showgirl, dropped on October 3, and almost immediately, listeners began speculating that certain lyrics targeted Kelce’s ex-girlfriend.
In one verse, Swift sings: “You couldn’t understand it, why you felt alone / You were in it for real, she was in her phone / And you were just a pose.”
Fans quickly linked these lines to Kayla Nicole, who had been in an on-and-off relationship with Kelce for five years before they broke up in 2022.
Adding fuel to the fire, an old video resurfaced showing Kelce telling Nicole: “Oh, my god. Get off your phone,” during a Super Bowl celebration.
This video seemed to align perfectly with the lyrics, and fans began drawing direct connections between Swift’s song and the couple's past.
One fan tweeted: “Taylor clocking Kayla Nicole was not on my bingo card,” while another noted: “This makes me think of when Trav won the Super Bowl and Kayla just had her phone out the whole time in Travis' face.”
Swift’s Explanation: 'Opalite' as a Metaphor for Happiness
Despite the fan speculation, Swift hasn’t confirmed that the lyrics were aimed at Nicole specifically.
However, during a recent interview with Capital Breakfast, Swift did share the inspiration behind the song.
She explained that 'Opalite' was influenced by the opal, Kelce’s birthstone, and its man-made version, opalite. Swift described the stone as a metaphor for something intentionally created, such as happiness.
“I’ve always loved that stone,” Swift said. “I thought it was kind of a cool metaphor that man-made opal and happiness can also be man-made too.”
Swift also revealed that 'Opalite' is Kelce’s favorite song on the album, adding a personal layer to the track that fans are now dissecting with even more fervor.
Kayla Nicole’s Clapback on Instagram
Nicole, who has kept a relatively low profile since her split from Kelce, seemingly responded to the rumors and alleged diss with a pointed Instagram story.
On October 3, she posted a video of America’s Next Top Model contestant Eva Marcille saying: “I don’t compare myself to other girls… I’m no comparison to anyone else.” Fans quickly interpreted this post as a subtle clapback to Swift's song lyrics, signaling that Nicole isn’t letting the speculation get to her.
While Taylor Swift hasn’t confirmed whether 'Opalite' is about Kayla Nicole, fans are having a field day reading between the lines. Some believe Swift’s lyrics are indeed aimed at Kelce’s ex, while others think fans might be overanalyzing the song.