Kayla Nicole is reflecting on some regrets after her appearance on Angel Reese’s Unapologetically Angel podcast. During the episode, Kayla opened up about various topics, but a discussion about a past relationship sparked controversy.
In the interview, Kayla revealed that she had been dating a well-known man, only to be dumped via text for a famous singer and actress, leaving her “devastated” and “heartbroken.” Kayla then admitted that, after the breakup, she dressed up as the singer in a bold move to throw shade at her former fling. While she didn’t name names, social media quickly speculated she was referring to Teyana Taylor and Iman Shumpert.
Shortly after the clip went viral, sparking her name to trend online, Teyana Taylor reacted on Instagram, seemingly surprised by the resurfaced drama. In her response, Taylor expressed her frustration, writing, “It’s really crazy that everyone is allowed to bother me & be distasteful… EVERYBODY gets to play.. while I move with grace. ALWAYS!” She made it clear that the issue wasn’t about Iman Shumpert, as they are divorced, but rather about Kayla’s choice of words, which Taylor called “distasteful and uncalled for.”
Taylor continued, saying, “She knew exactly what she was doing. That lady said ‘she was famous at the time’… it was very distasteful & uncalled for. Most importantly, she knew people would dig. So automatically my name is attached to the nonsense.”
Now, reflecting on the interview during her appearance on I Am Athlete, Kayla says there were things she wishes she could have expressed differently. “There were moments where if I could go back, I would maybe change the way that I said things because it didn’t fully embody my character or my heart,” she shared. As an influencer, Kayla feels a responsibility for how she presents herself and the impact her words can have on others.
While she values being open and honest, Kayla is also learning that not every question requires a response, and some moments call for restraint. “I’m trying to continue to have the courage to stand in my power, to be myself, to answer questions honestly and transparently,” she said. She also emphasized the value of media training, noting, “Every comment or DM doesn’t deserve a response.”
