The Untold Stories: 3 Women Travis Kelce Dated Before Taylor Swift And Where They Are Now

The intense spotlight on Travis Kelce’s relationship with global superstar Taylor Swift has inevitably cast a major glow on his past romances. While the NFL star’s current love life dominates headlines, many fans are curious about the women who were by his side during his rise to Super Bowl champion status, particularly his long-term partner and the winner of his own reality dating show. As of December 2025, new details about their careers, public statements, and lives have emerged, proving that life after dating the Kansas City Chiefs tight end is anything but quiet. This deep dive focuses on the key figures in Travis Kelce’s pre-Swift dating history, exploring their professional lives today, their reactions to the "Tayvis" phenomenon, and the dramatic moments that defined their time with one of the most famous athletes in the world. From a five-year on-again, off-again relationship to a televised dating show winner, these women have built impressive careers and public profiles entirely on their own terms.

A Full Look at Travis Kelce's Key Dating History (Pre-Swift Era)

Before the whirlwind romance with Taylor Swift began in 2023, Travis Kelce had two major public relationships and one rumored fling that captured media attention. His dating history is notable for its high-profile nature, beginning with a unique reality TV premise and culminating in a significant five-year partnership.

Kayla Nicole

• Role: Longest and most serious girlfriend before Taylor Swift.
• Relationship Timeline: On-again, off-again from 2017 to 2022 (approximately five years).
• Profession: Sports Broadcast Journalist, Model, Fitness Influencer, and Entrepreneur.
• Current Status: Single, focusing heavily on building her personal brand and career.

Maya Benberry

• Role: Winner of Travis Kelce’s 2016 reality dating show, Catching Kelce.
• Relationship Timeline: Dated briefly in 2016 (a few months) after the show finale.
• Profession: Marketing and Brand Consultant, Certified Life Coach, and Cosmetic Business Owner (Benberry Beauty Bar).
• Current Status: Active as a life coach and public figure, notably commenting on Kelce’s current relationship.

Zuri Hall

• Role: Rumored brief fling/relationship.
• Relationship Timeline: Allegedly dated briefly in early 2023.
• Profession: Emmy Award-winning TV Personality and Journalist (known for Access Hollywood).
• Current Status: Focused on her successful broadcasting career; has publicly refuted the dating rumors.

Kayla Nicole: The Five-Year Partnership and Her Career Pivot

Kayla Nicole, a former sports broadcaster and model, was Travis Kelce’s most significant partner for nearly five years, with their relationship spanning from 2017 to 2022. Their romance was a staple of Chiefs games, with Nicole often seen cheering from the stands and becoming a well-known figure among NFL WAGs. The relationship was characterized by a series of splits and reconciliations, making it an "on-again, off-again" dynamic. The final breakup in 2022 was reportedly amicable, though it remains a frequent topic of discussion among fans and media.

Life After Kelce: Building a Multi-Million Dollar Brand

Since the split, Kayla Nicole has aggressively focused on her independent career, transforming her public profile from "NFL girlfriend" to a powerful media and fitness influencer. Her estimated net worth is now reported to be around $2 million to $3 million, a reflection of her success through modeling, brand deals, and various entrepreneurial ventures. In recent months, as of late 2025, Nicole has continued to build her brand, frequently sharing new vacation photos and content that showcases her personal growth and fitness journey. She has also been open about her evolving dating philosophy, mentioning on a podcast that she is moving past rigid checklists in favor of a more authentic connection. This commitment to self-focus highlights a strong, independent pivot in her career.

The Reality TV Winner: Maya Benberry’s Public Warning and Current Business

Travis Kelce’s first high-profile relationship came from a non-traditional source: his own E! reality dating show, *Catching Kelce*, which aired in 2016. Out of 50 contestants representing all 50 U.S. states, Kelce chose Maya Benberry, a marketing and brand consultant from Kentucky. However, their relationship proved to be short-lived, with the couple splitting just a few months after the finale aired. The breakup was less than smooth, setting a dramatic tone for the start of Kelce’s public dating history.

From Reality Star to Certified Life Coach

Today, Maya Benberry has completely shifted her focus, establishing herself as a certified life coach, marketing consultant, and business owner. She operates a cosmetic business called Benberry Beauty Bar and offers coaching sessions through her brand, "Moments with Maya Benberry." The most significant recent news involving Benberry came in late 2023, following the explosion of the Kelce-Swift romance. Benberry publicly issued a warning to Taylor Swift, suggesting that Kelce might be a "red flag." She stated that the NFL star was not a great boyfriend and advised Swift to be careful. This public commentary reinserted her into the conversation, providing a dramatic counterpoint to the current fairy-tale narrative.

The Brief Rumor Mill: Zuri Hall and the Chiefs Games

The third woman often cited in discussions of Travis Kelce’s dating history before Taylor Swift is Emmy-winning television host Zuri Hall, best known for her work on *Access Hollywood*. Rumors of a relationship between Kelce and Hall circulated in early 2023, just months before he began pursuing Swift. The speculation was fueled by Hall being seen with Kelce’s family at several Chiefs games, a detail that often signals a significant level of closeness in the athlete's world.

Setting the Record Straight

Despite the widespread speculation and the appearance of closeness to the Kelce family, Zuri Hall has publicly shut down the dating rumors. While she was part of the conversation regarding his dating life, the relationship never reached the confirmed status of his previous partnerships. This brief, rumored period highlights the intense media scrutiny Kelce’s love life has always faced, even before the "Tayvis" era. Ultimately, each of Travis Kelce's ex-girlfriends has carved out a distinct and successful path for herself. While the current focus remains on his relationship with Taylor Swift, the stories of Kayla Nicole’s independent rise, Maya Benberry’s dramatic warnings, and Zuri Hall’s professional success offer a compelling look at the women who were part of his life before he became half of the world’s most famous power couple.