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Social media personality and entrepreneur Kayla Nicole issued a public apology after years-old posts resurfaced and sparked renewed backlash.
Nicole, who was romantically linked to NFL star Travis Kelce for five years, appeared to deactivate her X account after the “harmful tweets” resurfaced last week.
“I want to take a moment to sincerely apologize for the hurtful tweets I posted so many years ago,” a contrite Nicole said Thursday in a post on her Instagram Stories. “Watching them resurface last week has been incredibly difficult and reading them now, I am ashamed that I ever thought or spoke that way. They were ignorant, hurtful and completely wrong.”
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Travis Kelce and girlfriend Kayla Nicole arrive at the NFL Honors show at the YouTube Theater on February 10, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Nicole then confirmed that she deleted her X account in an attempt to end “a cycle of hate.”
“The woman I am today would never use those words or express those kinds of views. Over the years I have seen firsthand how cruel and damaging online hate can be and I would never want to add to that world of pain in any form. I have since deleted those tweets and my X account completely because I refuse to keep that energy alive or contribute to a cycle of hate.
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“I take full responsibility for what I have posted and I am truly sorry to anyone I may have hurt. My heart, values and perspective are completely rooted in empathy, love and respect for others. I cannot change the past, but I will continue to show through my actions who I have become and what I stand for today.”
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and Kayla Nicole arrive at the 2018 ESPYS at the Microsoft Theater on July 18, 2018; Los Angeles, California. (Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports)
The posts were originally shared in the early 2010s and contained inappropriate language. Nicole’s Halloween costume — a recreation of singer Toni Braxton’s look from her “He Wasn’t Man Enough” music video — also drew attention.
The costume choice led some to speculate that it was a nod to Nicole’s past feelings about Kelce, a claim she pushed back against.
After breaking up with Nicole, Kelce began dating singer Taylor Swift.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce announced their engagement in August. (TheStewartofNY/GC Images)
In August, the couple announced their engagement. Swift released her latest album, “Life of a Showgirl,” last month. The lyrics to one of the songs titled, Opalite,” seemed to take a shot at Nicole.
Swift has not publicly addressed discussions surrounding the song’s lyrics.
Kelce is in his 13th NFL season, all of which he has spent in Kansas City. The Chiefs were on a bye last week. The team returns to action Sunday for an AFC West showdown with the Denver Broncos.
