Nicole, who dated Kelce on and off between 2017 and 2023, says in tonight’s episode that going through a public breakup was “overwhelming.” It also didn’t help that her ex-boyfriend quickly moved on with one of the most famous women in the world. “I just get a lot of shit because he’s dating such a mega superstar,” she tells her fellow recruits, before promising, “I really like her. I think she’s very talented.” Still, the media attention surrounding Kelce — and, by association, Nicole — has been a mental strain on the model, which why she’s determined to push through the Special Forces recruitment process.

“Being reduced to a headline, to something so small as someone’s ex-girlfriend, I feel like if I complete this, it’ll be a massive impact for myself,” she says in her confessional. “Am I doing enough? Am I enough?” Nicole further opens up about her past in her one-on-one in the mirror room with the directing staff, who waste no time asking her about her former relationship. “Yeah, it’s pretty constant. Exhausting,” Nicole says in response to an article in which she begged trolls to “leave her alone” following the release of Swift’s “Tortured Poets Department” album last April.

“It doesn’t matter. I could post about the sky being blue and people will have a response about an ex and their new situation,” she continues, becoming emotional. “It’s inadvertently affecting me to the point where it makes me question my overall value as a person.” When the DS ask why she’s been questioning herself, Nicole tearfully admits, “I think it’s just the comparison. It’s just on loop. I think I’m still trying to figure out how to deal with it.”