
Travis Kelce, the Kansas City Chiefs’ star tight end, has become one of the most talked-about figures in both sports and pop culture, especially since his relationship with global music icon Taylor Swift
began in 2023. But what has made the jock what he is to the pop mogul today? What (or who?) were the foundational incidents, the learning curves for the sport-star?
Now that Kelce finds himself ahead of the curve, the curve is looking a lot like a sphere. Getting ahead of all of his past loves and ending up here.
The Reality Show Romance: Maya Benberry
Travis Kelce’s spotlight debut had commenced in a way few NFL players ever do—by starring in his own reality dating show, Catching Kelce.
The show, which aired on E!, featured 50 women—one from each US state—competing for Kelce’s affection in a format reminiscent of The Bachelor
. Kelce admitted to finding the experience overwhelming, often funnily being found referring to the contestants by their home states rather than their names. And ultimately, Kentucky’s Maya Benberry emerged as the winner.
Several years later, she comes out, how much money does she get paid by inside edition for this interview?
“Travis Kelce’s ex-girlfriend says the Kansas City Chiefs player betrayed her. Maya Benberry dated the NFL star in 2016.”
— Johnny (@tallyman2023) September 29, 2023
Benberry, a marketing and brand consultant who later became a publicist and online personality, captured Kelce’s attention, but their relationship was short-lived. Kelce expressed reservations about her confidence, which he sometimes perceived as arrogance, and the couple parted ways after just a few months.
After the split, Benberry accused Kelce of infidelity
, allegations that sources close to Kelce dismissed as attempts to gain attention. Despite the drama, this relationship starkly marked the beginning of Kelce’s public dating narrative.
Long-Term Love: Kayla Nicole
Perhaps Travis Kelce’s most prominent presence in the showbiz dating scene to date. Following his stint on reality TV, Kelce’s most significant relationship before Taylor Swift was with sports broadcaster and model Kayla Nicole
. Their romance began in 2017, sparked by Kelce’s persistent flirting on Instagram. He later recounted how he “stalked”
her online before she finally reached out to him on New Year’s Eve, and their relationship took off.
Kayla Nicole goes hard for Travis Kelce and I love it. This is the energy you want in a relationship. It’s the “your man could never” for me. 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/EWTLKD48Lo
— Adeja Spain (@_adejavu) January 25, 2021
Lasting over half a decade, Kelce and Nicole’s relationship lasted from 2017 through to 2022. Their relationship was marked by several breakups and reconciliations. Throughout their time together, Nicole was a visible presence at Kelce’s games and public events. However, rumors of infidelity and financial disagreements surfaced, both of which the couple publicly denied. Kelce called the cheating allegations “fake news,”
while Nicole dismissed the idea of money being an issue as “absurd”.
Ultimately, the pair parted ways for good in 2022, leaving behind a relationship that had been one of the most enduring in Kelce’s life,
but there still are some secrets that Nicole seems to have been holding
onto all this time.
Returning shortly after the break: Fleeting rumors with Zuri Hall
A bond of five long years could not have left the Chiefs’ star with no emptiness to fill. After his split from Kayla Nicole, rumors swirled about Kelce’s connection with Access Hollywood correspondent Zuri Hall.
The two were seen together at family events and games, fueling speculation about a possible romance. However, neither Kelce nor Hall ever confirmed a relationship, and Hall later laughed off the rumors, stating that the gossip was unfounded. This period remains a footnote in Kelce’s dating history, characterized more by speculation than by confirmed romance.
TV host Zuri Hall shuts down Travis Kelce dating rumors and gushes over his Taylor Swift romance. pic.twitter.com/Rni2koIBIX
— Page Six (@PageSix) June 18, 2024
Swift force meets immovable jock: Going global with Taylor Swift
Everything changed for Travis Kelce in 2023, when he began dating Taylor Swift
. Their relationship quickly became one of the most talked-about celebrity pairings in the world, uniting NFL fans and Swifties alike. Kelce made his interest in Swift public
, attending her Eras Tour concerts and even participating in a skit with her at London’s Wembley Stadium—a move that mirrored his earlier public courting of Kayla Nicole
. The couple’s high-profile outings and social media moments and Swift’s undying support for Kelce’s craft and vice versa
, have kept them in the headlines, solidifying their status as a global power couple.
🔙 | 1 year ago today, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce in Italy pic.twitter.com/eyvwlZMj0c
— Taylor Swift Updates (@tswiftscoop) May 17, 2025
, Swift will also be accompanying him for the upcoming NFL season even. One trivial question that often arises is the age gap between Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift. Kelce was born on October 5, 1989, making him currently 35 years old (as of May 2025). Taylor Swift was born on December 13, 1989, making her 34 years old at the same time. The age difference is, therefore, just a few months—Kelce is about two months older than Swift. This minimal gap has not been a point of discussion in their relationship.
Engagement rumors: Did Travis Kelce get engaged to Taylor Swift?
As much as Swifties would rejoice if their beloved country-turned-pop star began flaunting a shiny thing she likes on her finger, as of May 2025, Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift have not announced any engagement. Despite widespread speculation and fan excitement, the couple has not shared news of wedding plans. Insiders have described the pair as “deeply in love,”
and many observers remain optimistic about the future of their relationship, but for now, the engagement rumors are just that—rumors.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce were spotted in Philadelphia recently! pic.twitter.com/OYdDAK9Tyq
— Taylor Swift Web (@tayswiftdotcom) May 12, 2025
Travis Kelce’s ex-girlfriends remain a popular search topic, reflecting ongoing public curiosity about the Chiefs star’s romantic past. Whether fans are searching for a “Travis Kelce ex-girlfriends’ list”
or details about “why did Travis and Kayla break up,”
the interest in his dating history is a testament to his status as a cultural icon both on and off the field.
My mom just came up to me and said “Taylor Swift writes love songs. Travis Kelce lives them.” I’m crying wtf😭😭 pic.twitter.com/1TcmB59Z6J
— Tayvisfavs02 (@taysfavs02) May 27, 2025
Travis Kelce’s dating history is as dynamic as his career on the football field. From his reality show romance with Maya Benberry to his long-term relationship with Kayla Nicole, brief rumors with Zuri Hall, and now his high-profile partnership with Taylor Swift, Kelce’s love life has consistently captured public attention. Each relationship has contributed to the narrative of a man unafraid to wear his heart on his sleeve, both in private and in the public eye. As the football star’s story continues, one thing is certain: Travis Kelce’s ex-girlfriends are just as much a part of his story as his touchdowns and triumphs,
proving Swift when she says: “All of the girls you loved before, made you the one I have fallen for.
“
Read More: Two Years, No Ring: Why Hasn’t Travis Kelce Proposed to Taylor Swift?
What do you think of all the girls Kelce has dated before ending up with Taylor Swift? Let us know in the comments below.