Kayla Nicole’s cryptic Instagram post about choosing joy has sparked chatter, perfectly timed with her ex, Travis Kelce’s, splashy engagement to pop titan Taylor Swift. Her subtle nod to resilience reeks of class, but let’s not kid ourselves—it’s a calculated move in the court of public opinion.
Page Six reported that Nicole, 33, shared a video of Tracee Ellis Ross musing on joy, tying it to a book about lasting happiness, while Kelce, 35, and Swift, also 35, announced their engagement on Tuesday.
This juxtaposition captures Nicole navigating personal growth against the backdrop of her ex’s high-profile romance. It’s a masterclass in saying something without saying too much.
Nicole and Kelce’s romance, a five-year on-and-off saga from 2017 to 2022, was no secret, with public appearances at events like The 2018 ESPYS and a 2022 NHL All-Star Skills event.
Their split left Nicole reflecting on heartbreak, as she revealed on her “The Pre-Game” podcast in April 2025. She alluded to infidelity by an unnamed partner, widely assumed to be Kelce, stirring the gossip pot.
“I work at it,” Ross said in the video Nicole reshared, describing joy as something earned, not grabbed like a Slurpee at 7-Eleven.
Nicole’s choice to amplify this message screams intentionality, a rebuke to the culture of performative victimhood. She’s not wallowing; she’s building roots, as Ross might say.
“I feel like joy has legs,” Ross continued, calling it a perspective that shapes life beyond fleeting good days. Nicole captioned this with “I aspire,” signaling her focus on inner strength over external drama. In a world obsessed with viral meltdowns, her restraint is refreshingly countercultural.
“Joy is a lens through which I live,” Ross added, a sentiment Nicole clearly embraces as she navigates her ex’s engagement. The timing of her post, hours after Kelce and Swift’s announcement, isn’t a coincidence—it’s a flex of emotional maturity. Conservatives might nod approvingly at her refusal to play the scorned ex card.
Kelce and Swift’s engagement post, captioned “Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married,” featured Swift flashing a diamond ring in a garden setting.
The internet exploded, as expected, with fans fawning over the power couple’s cutesy metaphor. But the real story is Nicole’s response—or lack thereof—stealing the spotlight.
Kelce and Swift’s romance kicked off in 2023, a year after his split with Nicole, cementing their status as a cultural juggernaut.
Nicole, meanwhile, has been candid about her healing journey, crediting “life-changing” therapy on her May 2025 podcast episode. Her ability to rise above the noise challenges the left’s narrative of perpetual grievance.
In April 2025, Nicole hinted at betrayal on her podcast, never naming Kelce but leaving little doubt. The speculation swirled, yet she kept it vague, a move that avoids the woke trap of oversharing for clout. It’s a tightrope walk of vulnerability and dignity, and she’s nailing it.
In May 2025, on the “Second Wind Podcast,” Nicole called sharing her story her “super power,” clapping back at critics who’d rather she stay silent.
The progressive urge to police personal narratives gets no traction here—she’s speaking her truth, unapologetically. Her fans, especially on the right, see a woman reclaiming her voice without malice.
Nicole’s May 2025 “Pre-Game” podcast episode took a sly jab, suggesting Kelce’s new flame—obviously Swift—made her “look good.” “There should be no problem admitting their ex’s new girl might be popping,” she said, a backhanded compliment that’s pure wit. It’s a zinger that lands without venom, a rare feat in today’s outrage culture.
“It’s so much worse if the guy you loved goes and dates a dud,” Nicole added, implying Swift’s star power elevates her own status.
The cheekiness is undeniable, but it’s wrapped in a veneer of class that conservatives might argue is missing from woke celebrity feuds. She’s playing chess, not checkers.
Nicole’s public journey, from red-carpet moments with Kelce to solo podcast reflections, shows a woman carving her own path. Her 2018 ESPYS appearance with Kelce and their 2020 Lakers game date feel like ancient history now. Yet, she’s not defined by those moments—she’s rewriting her story.
Swift and Kelce’s engagement, while headline-grabbing, underscores Nicole’s quieter strength. Her Instagram post, paired with Ross’s wisdom, rejects the cultural script of bitterness that progressives often amplify. Instead, she’s choosing joy, a concept that resonates with those tired of endless victimhood narratives.
