Travis Kelce’s Ex Says She Warned Taylor Swift To “Be Smart”
Maya Benberry insists she’s just being honest, while insiders call her comments a bid for attention.
Celebrity relationships often draw intense public attention, and when a superstar like Taylor Swift starts dating, the spotlight only grows brighter. Her relationship with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has fascinated fans since the start of her Eras Tour.
But not everyone has been cheering the couple on, especially those with a history with the football star. Among them is Maya Benberry, Travis’s ex-girlfriend, who had some sharp words to share when the news broke.
Maya, now 33, was first introduced to the public in 2016 on the dating show Chasing Kelce, a short-lived reality series that followed Travis as he searched for love among 50 contestants from all over the U.S. By the end, Maya, representing Kentucky, had captured his heart and was chosen as the winner.
Their romance, however, fizzled quickly once the cameras stopped rolling. The pair reportedly split not long after filming wrapped, and the show never returned for a second season.
Years later, when news spread that Travis and Taylor Swift were dating and later engaged, Maya didn’t hold back. Speaking to Daily Mail, she described Taylor as “a fun girl with a beautiful spirit,” but her tone quickly shifted to caution.
“So I wish her the best of luck,” she said, “but I wouldn’t be a girls’ girl if I didn’t advise her to be smart!” She added that she hoped Taylor would “come out the teacher in this situation and not the student,” ending with the old saying: “Once a cheater, always a cheater.”
Maya’s brief relationship with Travis sparks headlines as insiders call it a bid for attention.
Maya’s remarks ignited a wave of headlines, prompting sources close to Travis to step in. According to people close to the athlete, his relationship with Maya had been brief, barely a month, and they accused her of seeking attention.
An insider told Page Six that the two “dated literally less than three months” and were still under contract not to publicly discuss their breakup at the time. “This is very much a 15-minutes-of-fame type of moment for her,” the source added.
InstagramTravis Kelce denied cheating and “cheap” rumors after the split with Kayla Nicole.
This wasn’t the first time Travis’s love life had stirred controversy. In 2020, during his relationship with sports journalist Kayla Nicole, rumors circulated that he had been unfaithful. Travis immediately denied the claims on social media, calling them “fake news” and insisting that cheating wasn’t the reason behind their brief split.
The couple reunited but ultimately went their separate ways in 2022. Later, reports surfaced accusing Travis of being “cheap” and making Kayla pay for half of everything. He also shot down that claim, telling The Pivot Podcast that such rumors were “crazy,” adding, “A hundred dollars here, a hundred dollars there wasn’t even thought about.”
InstagramKayla laughs off breakup rumors and praises Taylor Swift despite public heartbreak.
Kayla herself addressed the gossip, laughing it off on the Unapologetically Angel podcast.
“Do I look like anybody that would split anything?” she joked, calling the rumors “ridiculous.”She made it clear that money had never been an issue between them. Despite everything, Kayla has spoken candidly about how hard it was to navigate a breakup in the public eye. Appearing on Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test, she said,
“Going through a public breakup, just to be frank, is overwhelming. I’ve never experienced anything like it.”She admitted that being known only as “someone’s ex-girlfriend” took an emotional toll, but said she hoped overcoming challenges on the show would help her move forward.
When it comes to Taylor, though, Kayla seems to hold no grudge. She has even complimented her, saying,
“I really like her. I think she’s very talented.”
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Navigating Celebrity Relationships
Dr. Michele Weiner-Davis, a renowned relationship expert, emphasizes the importance of maintaining clarity and boundaries when entering a new romance, especially for public figures like Taylor Swift.
She notes that it’s crucial for individuals in the spotlight to establish personal guidelines to navigate the pressures of fame without losing their sense of self. Dr. Weiner-Davis advises that open communication with partners about expectations and boundaries can help mitigate outside influences.
This proactive approach can foster healthier relationships and reduce the likelihood of misunderstandings, especially in high-stakes environments.
Dr. Laura Berman, an acclaimed sex and relationship therapist, argues that the dynamics of celebrity relationships often involve public scrutiny that can be detrimental to their success.
She points out that external opinions can strain partnerships, making it vital for couples to prioritize mutual support. Dr. Berman suggests that both partners should engage in regular check-ins to assess their emotional well-being and reinforce their commitment.
This technique can help maintain a strong bond amid the chaos of public life and promote resilience against external pressures.
In the swirl of headlines, accusations, and fan theories, one thing stands out: every person in this story has faced public scrutiny in their own way.
Whether Maya’s warning was heartfelt or self-serving, and whether Travis’s past relationships ended cleanly or not, the reality is that fame magnifies everything, especially love.
Ultimately, navigating a celebrity relationship requires both partners to be grounded and communicative. Experts like Dr. Michele Weiner-Davis and Dr. Laura Berman reiterate the importance of managing emotional health and establishing boundaries to counteract public scrutiny.
By prioritizing open dialogue and mutual support, couples like Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce can foster a nurturing environment that withstands external pressures, allowing their relationship to thrive in the spotlight.