VLOGGERS Catherine Paiz and Austin McBroom have given their fans and viewers an inside look into their lives as they juggle work, fame, and parenting.
The social media stars, who have amassed more than 18.4 million subscribers on YouTube and nearly 14 million followers between their three Instagram accounts, made a shocking announcement on January 11, 2024.
Who are ACE Family YouTube stars Catherine Paiz and Austin McBroom?
Austin McBroom is an American content creator, former athlete, boxer, and YouTube vlogger.
McBroom was born on May 20, 1992, in Palmdale, California.
McBroom was an NCAA college basketball player and enjoyed playing baseball and football during the off-season.
He attended college at Central Michigan University and Saint Louis University before ultimately graduating with a Communications degree from Eastern Washington University.
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McBroom is also the founder of Social Gloves Entertainment, though the company’s social media sites haven’t been updated since late 2022.
In September 2022, McBroom’s stint in the boxing world ended after a brutal takedown by fellow boxer AnEsonGib.
Catherine Paiz is a Canadian-American social media star, influencer, model, and actress.
Paiz, whose real name is Dolores Catherine Johnston Paiz, was born on August 24, 1990, in Montreal, Canada.
Paiz has appeared in the films Lilin’s Brood, Monday Nights at Seven, and You Can’t Have It, in addition to the family’s countless YouTube videos, music videos, Instagram Reels, and TikToks.
Her brother, Ryan Johnston, is also a social media sensation.
Paiz and McBroom began dating in 2015.
Paiz was previously linked to actor Michael B. Jordan, while McBroom had been dating singer Jasmine Villegas.
In 2017, the couple announced their engagement in a YouTube video they shared with fans.
They did, however, choose to marry in private, sometime in 2019.
Details of their wedding were kept a secret from their legion of online fans and the media.
The duo launched their now-famous YouTube channel, The ACE Family, on January 10, 2016.
As of January 2024, the channel has more than 18.4 million subscribers, 712 videos, and over 4.5 billion views, even despite a posting hiatus.
Are Catherine Paiz and Austin McBroom getting divorced?
On Thursday, January 11, 2024, Catherine Paiz shared a heartbreaking update to her 6.8 million Instagram followers.
She captioned the post with an infinity symbol and white heart emoji.
“As I start this new year, I will challenge myself in ways that I have never done before,” she started.
“2024 will be my year of transformative change and with this taking place, one of the steps in my journey is the difficult decision to leave my marriage,” she added.
Paiz wrote that the decision to divorce was mutual and that she and McBroom would remain committed to co-parenting their children.
“We have mutually agreed to a divorce and will part amicably. Our paths as a couple have shifted and has created challenges that are irreconcilable. This decision comes with a very heavy heart.
“As heartbreaking as this is, I also feel liberated,” she continued.
“I have spent the past few years prioritizing my children and honoring my commitments to my family; all the while I seemed to be losing myself and my own personal happiness.
“Our main priority will be to stay united as parents and to continue creating a stable, happy, and loving environment for our children.
“After making it clear that the divorce would be an amicable one, Paiz also decided to thank her followers – and her family’s followers – for their continued support over the last few years.
“Thank you to all of my supporters for giving me a safe space to be able to use my voice and share our love,” she wrote.
“I love you all so much and I’m beyond grateful for all the support we’ve received from you throughout all these years as a couple,” she added.
Paiz finished off her statement by writing a short, but sweet, message to her former beau.
“And Austin, you’re my bestfriend and that will never change,” she wrote, alongside a red heart emoji.
Fans took to Paiz’s Instagram comments to share their thoughts.
“I DONT BELIEVE IN LOVE ANYMORE,” wrote one user.
“Congratulations!!! This was needed for you and the kids a long time coming we’re here for you,” commented another user.
“It’s probably not the best time to say this but it’s about damn time! Happy for you! You deserve loyalty,” wrote one user, alongside two clapping hands emojis.
Austin McBroom also took to his Instagram to share his version of events.
He posted a photo of himself with Paiz, both smiling and embracing one another while wearing skydiving jumpsuits.
“For this new year, I’ll be taking a leap of faith. I’ve made the hardest decision of my life. The decision to close the book to my marriage…” he began his statement. “We have mutually agreed to a divorce but will remain a team when it comes to our kids.”
“We created one of the greatest stories, almost a decade together, so many memories, so many accomplishments but every book comes to end. And now we will be writing a new book as separate authors,” he continued.
“We both understand that holding on is believing that there’s only a past and letting go is knowing that there’s a future. And we both are supporting each other’s future.
“This transition is not easy but we both are making it as easy as it can be for our family. We will continue to be the best parents to our kids.
“Separations are difficult and most times messy but you will see how we push through these difficult times as a unit and keep influencing with love and positivity.
“With that being said 2024 will be life changing for me. I will be dedicated to myself, my kids, my health, my body, my mind, my spirit and God,” he added.
“Thank you to everyone who has supported us through our journey and who will continue to support us moving forward.
“We’re going to need even more of your love and strength during this time,” he finished, alongside a praying hands and white heart emoji.
Fans took to McBroom’s Instagram comments to share their thoughts on the split.
“it’s about time she deserves better than you,” wrote one user, alongside a crying laughing emoji.
“i honestly knew this was coming their marriage has always looked fake and nothing more than a business deal in my eyes,” commented another user.
“My heart just broke into 1 million pieces,” wrote one user.
McBroom and Paiz’s shared family Instagram account, @theacefamily, last posted a photo on November 5, 2023, leaving some users wondering what was happening with the usually active family.
The family’s last YouTube video was also uploaded over seven months ago.
The duo had previously told viewers back in 2022 that they would be taking a break from posting to travel as a family, and to devote time to other work commitments.
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How many kids do Catherine and Austin have?
Catherine Paiz and Austin McBroom’s success isn’t just due to their antics as a couple – it’s also partly due to the couple’s children.
Paiz and McBroom are the proud parents of three children.
They welcomed their first child, a daughter named Elle Lively McBroom, on May 28, 2016.
Their second child, a daughter named Alaia Marie McBroom, was born on October 17, 2018.
The duo’s third child, and first son, Steel McBroom, was born on June 20, 2020.
The family currently resides in Los Angeles, California, though it is unclear where they’ll live during and after their divorce.
According to the couple’s joint Instagram statements, their children remain their top priority, and the two are trying to remain as amicable as possible throughout their split and futures as co-parents.
The couple will also need to split up duties running their children’s social media accounts, @alaiamcbroom, @steelmcbroom, and @elle.