*This past weekend, social media influencer Kayla Nicole, known for her previous relationship with Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce, brought the heat to Instagram with a series of sizzling pics for display to her almost 800K followers. Attired in a stylish white bikini paired with a chic Chanel headscarf, Kayla’s photos caused quite a stir—not just for her fashionable ensemble, but for an unexpected controversy.
While Kayla Nicole kept the photo shoot location under wraps, attentive followers quickly noticed a peculiar and contentious detail: a starfish strategically placed on her body. The seemingly innocent marine prop sparked an immediate backlash from her audience.
Social media users were quick to call out Kayla for her use of the starfish, pointing out the potential harm such an act could cause to the marine creature. One follower passionately commented, “I am passionate about not picking up the starfish. The oil/chemicals on your skin can be harmful to them, and when you take them out of the water, they’re literally suffocating.”
Another follower echoed the sentiment, noting, “You do realize when you take the starfish out of the water it was suffocating right? But good pics. Just bad for the starfish.” A third criticized, “Animal cruelty isn’t cute.”
For the record, removing a starfish from its aquatic environment can lead to serious consequences for the creature, including severe stress, dehydration, and potentially death. Starfish breathe through tiny tube feet and skin projections that absorb oxygen from the water. Once out of the water, they begin to suffocate and can dry out rapidly, especially under the heat, leading to sudden system shock due to temperature changes, reports The Blast.
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Kayla has yet to respond to the wave of criticism. Her latest Instagram post ties into a broader narrative about her public life post-breakup with NFL star Travis Kelce. The two had an on-again, off-again relationship for five years before Kelly confirmed his single status in early 2023, subsequently igniting a high-profile romance with pop superstar Taylor Swift.
Following the start of Travis and Taylor’s relationship, Kayla found herself under scrutiny from fervent “Swiftie” fans on social media. However, she didn’t hesitate to address the negativity, using her platform to speak out against online hate.
In an open letter, Kayla emphasized her commitment to promoting unity rather than division, particularly among women and Black women. “It’s always been really important for me to use my platform, not to create division, but to elevate and unite women, Black women specifically,” she expressed in a video last year.
The current backlash over the starfish incident adds another layer to Kayla’s already complex relationship with social media. As followers await her response, the debate over the appropriate use of marine animals in social media content continues to gain traction.
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Kayla Nicole‘s situation underscores the importance of being aware and respectful of wildlife, even in seemingly harmless social media posts, and highlights the responsibilities influencers hold in educating and setting an example for their audiences.
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