In a Super Bowl 2026 commercial for the fantasy sports platform Sleeper, Kayla Nicole, the former girlfriend of Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, made subtle jabs at Kelce and his fiancée, pop star Taylor Swift, referencing their high-profile relationship.
The ad, which aired during the championship game between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks, featured comedians Tiffany Haddish and Ben Simmons as “The Ex-communicators,” a service for emotional injuries from breakups. Nicole appeared in a pink suit, commenting on Haddish and Simmons’ characters with sarcasm, stating they have “no idea what they’re doing at all.”
In the commercial, Nicole mentioned an “ex-girlfriend fiasco” and attempted to describe how quickly it could be resolved, leading to a playful exchange where Simmons corrected her to say “swiftly”—a clear nod to Taylor Swift. This wordplay highlighted the underlying tension and was a pointed reference to the pop star, who is known for her swift songwriting and public persona.
Kayla Nicole and Travis Kelce had an on-and-off relationship from 2017 to 2022, and she has been open about the challenges of being his last ex before his romance with Swift. In past interviews, Nicole admitted that the online backlash and comparisons affected her, but she has tried to distance herself from their engagement news, declining to comment when asked about it recently.
The Sleeper ad also included cameos from other celebrities like Offset, who humorously admitted he didn’t know what he was doing, and Ace Greene from “Love Island,” adding to the comedic tone. The ad promoted the app by emphasizing smart athlete picks for fantasy sports, with Haddish concluding that choosing the right love interest is hard, but picking athletes doesn’t have to be.
This isn’t the first time Nicole has been involved in public discourse about Kelce and Swift. Previously, Taylor Swift referenced Nicole in her 2025 album with the song “Opalite,” which was seen as a subtle dig, adding layers to the ongoing narrative between them and fueling fan speculation.
Meanwhile, Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift, who started dating in 2023 and got engaged in 2025, are planning to marry this summer. Their relationship has been a focal point of media attention, making any references to it highly noticeable and often dissected by the public and press alike.
The Super Bowl 2026 saw various celebrity-filled commercials, but Nicole’s appearance stood out for its personal undertones. It reflects how past relationships can resurface in popular culture, especially around high-profile events, and serves as a reminder of the lasting impact of public breakups in the digital age.
Looking ahead, Kayla Nicole has expressed interest in finding new love and moving forward, emphasizing qualities like honesty and good character in a partner. While the ad was lighthearted, it underscored the complexities of navigating fame and former relationships, leaving audiences with a mix of humor and poignant reflection.
