New allegations hit Puka Nacua as ex-girlfriend speaks out on relationship trauma

P uka Nacua is facing another wave of scrutiny away from the football field after his former girlfriend, Hallie Aiono , spoke publicly about the emotional damage she says she experienced during their relationship.

Aiono discussed her decision to seek professional help for her mental health in a TikTok video posted Sunday night.

While she did not make a specific allegation against Nacua or identify him by name in the video, her description of a relationship that she says involved abuse has inevitably drawn attention because of her previous connection to the Los Angeles Rams wide receiver.

The development comes at an especially sensitive time for Nacua , who is already waiting to learn whether the NFL will discipline him over separate offseason incidents.

“I went from loving somebody so deeply for four years, I felt it in my bones, to experiencing extreme betrayal, abuse, complete neglect from them, in what felt like it happened almost overnight,” Aiono said.

She also explained that what happened away from the public eye had a particularly profound effect on her: “A lot of the things that were public affected my mental health. But honestly, the things that were happening in private are what completely crushed me and altered my brain chemistry. Those parts, what people never saw, or know of, are what broke me.”

Aiono's comments are not, by themselves, a formal accusation against Nacua , and she did not provide specific details in the video identifying what she meant by abuse. That distinction is important as the Rams receiver faces separate legal and league-related scrutiny.

The pair's relationship has already been the subject of considerable public attention. Aiono is the mother of Nacua's son, Kingston, and their personal circumstances became a major topic of discussion last year during a paternity dispute.

Aiono has also previously spoken about the emotional strain she experienced surrounding the pregnancy and the public commentary that followed.

In July, she addressed criticism stemming from comments made about her on The Pivot Podcast, saying that the discussion had taken a toll on her mental health.

Nacua's NFL situation remains unresolved

The latest development arrives while the NFL continues to review Nacua's off-field conduct.

The wide receiver is facing a civil lawsuit filed by Madison Atiabi , who alleges that Nacua assaulted and battered her during a New Year's Eve incident. The lawsuit includes claims of assault, battery, gender violence and negligence.

Nacua's attorney has disputed the allegations, describing the incident differently and denying accusations surrounding an alleged antisemitic remark.

The lawsuit has not resulted in a criminal conviction, and the allegations remain contested. However, the NFL's personal conduct policy allows the league to conduct its own review independent of the outcome of a civil case.

As of late August, Nacua had not been placed on the Commissioner's Exempt List. NBC Sports reported that neither Nacua nor Rams offensive lineman Alaric Jackson was placed on paid leave at that point, although the league's review remained ongoing.

That leaves uncertainty hanging over the Rams just days before the start of their regular season.

Nacua is coming off a spectacular 2025 campaign in which he established himself as one of the NFL's premier receivers.

He led the league with 129 receptions and finished with 1,715 receiving yards, making his potential availability especially important to a Los Angeles offense that also added veteran star Davante Adams .

The Rams have nevertheless continued preparing for the season with Nacua on their roster. He dealt with psoas soreness during training camp, but head coach Sean McVay expected him to return to practice after the issue forced him to leave a joint session with Dallas early.

Now, the bigger question is whether Nacua will be available when the games begin.

The Rams are scheduled to open their season against the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne, Australia, on Sept. 10. With the NFL's decision still pending, Nacua's status for that trip remains uncertain.

For Aiono , however, her latest comments were centered on a different issue: seeking help and addressing what she says has happened behind closed doors.

Her account has added another layer to an already complicated offseason for Nacua , but it is important to distinguish between her general description of abuse and any specific allegation against the receiver. No such specific allegation was made in the latest video.

For the Rams, the focus now shifts back to the NFL as the league weighs its response to Nacua's separate off-field issues with the season opener rapidly approaching.