If you’ve been anywhere near the messy world of influencer tea or Hollywood dating rumors over the last decade, you’ve probably heard the names Catherine McBroom and Michael B. Jordan mentioned in the same breath. It’s one of those internet mysteries that never quite dies. One day you’re watching an old ACE Family vlog, and the next, you’re scrolling through a Reddit thread from 2024 or 2025 where someone casually drops, "Oh, didn't she date the guy from Creed?"
Honestly, the timeline is a bit of a trip.
Most people know Catherine as the face of the ACE Family, the YouTube powerhouse she built with her now-ex-husband Austin McBroom. But before the mansions, the "house tours," and the very public 2024 divorce, Catherine lived a whole different life in Miami and Los Angeles.
The Miami Days and those Beach Photos
Back in January 2014, long before Michael B. Jordan was a household name for Black Panther, he was spotted getting very comfortable on a beach in Miami with a then-model named Catherine Paiz.
The photos were everywhere on the blogs. They looked like any other young, attractive couple enjoying the sun. They didn't have the "celebrity" polish yet. Michael was still riding the wave of Fruitvale Station, and Catherine was working as a model and host, often linked to the "Taz’s Angels" circle in Miami.
Neither of them ever came out and said, "Yes, we are boyfriend and girlfriend." But the internet doesn't really need a press release to jump to conclusions. For years, this remained a "if you know, you know" piece of trivia for fans of both stars.
Why the Rumors Resurfaced in 2025
You'd think a casual fling from 2014 would be buried by now. It wasn't.
Fast forward to 2024 and 2025. Catherine and Austin McBroom finally called it quits, ending a marriage that had been the subject of endless speculation regarding infidelity and financial drama. When Catherine started speaking out more—specifically in her 2025 memoir Dolores: My Journey Home and her bombshell interview on Call Her Daddy with Alex Cooper—people started digging again.
In her book, Catherine mentions an actor ex-boyfriend she refers to as "Kire." Internet sleuths immediately went to work. They noticed that "Kire" is "Erik" spelled backward—as in Erik Killmonger, the iconic character Michael B. Jordan played in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
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When asked about it point-blank by TooFab during her book tour in July 2025, Catherine was pretty coy. She basically said it doesn't matter who is who because it’s just a story from her past, but she didn't exactly shut it down either. It was a classic "celebrity non-answer" that only fuels the fire.
The "Awkward" Basketball Game Moment
One of the funniest—or most cringeworthy, depending on how you look at it—moments in this saga happened at a basketball game in 2021.
Catherine was there with Austin. Michael B. Jordan was also courtside. At one point, Michael walked right past them. The cameras caught the whole thing, and Catherine seemingly didn't even look his way. She appeared to completely ignore him.
Fans took that and ran with it. Was it a "bitter ex" situation? Or was she just trying to avoid drama while being filmed for her own channel? Austin, for his part, always seemed a bit competitive about Catherine's past, which only added to the "main character energy" of the whole encounter.
Where They Are Now in 2026
It’s 2026, and both have moved on in very different directions.
Michael B. Jordan is currently the king of the box office with his new film Sinners, directed by Ryan Coogler. His love life remains a topic of intense interest, especially after his high-profile breakup with Lori Harvey a few years ago. As of early 2026, he’s still one of Hollywood’s most eligible bachelors, though he’s been linked to various actresses and models in the London scene lately.
Catherine, meanwhile, has completely pivoted. She didn't just move on from Austin; she transformed her entire life.
- She married tattoo artist and painter Igor Ten in late 2025.
- They met during a spiritual retreat in the Amazon, which Catherine credits for her "awakening."
- They are currently expecting their first child together (Catherine’s fourth).
She seems to be leaning into a more "low-key" lifestyle compared to the chaotic vlogging days, though she still maintains a massive following on Snapchat and Instagram.
What We Can Actually Learn From This
The fascination with Catherine McBroom and Michael B. Jordan isn't just about celebrity gossip. It's about how we track "digital footprints."
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In the age of social media, a casual date at the beach in 2014 becomes a "hidden chapter" in 2026. It shows how small the world of high-level influencers and A-list actors really is.
If you're following Catherine's new journey, the takeaway is pretty clear: people change. The girl from the 2014 paparazzi photos is a world away from the woman writing memoirs and starting a new family in 2026.
For Michael B. Jordan fans, it's just another reminder that he’s always been low-key about his private life, even when the rest of the world is trying to decode his every move.
Actionable Next Steps
If you want to keep up with the latest on this ever-evolving story, here’s what to do:
- Check Catherine's Snapchat: That’s where she does most of her raw, unfiltered storytelling these days.
- Watch the "Call Her Daddy" Episode: If you want the full context on her split from Austin and the hints she drops about her past.
- Follow Michael B. Jordan’s Production Company, Outlier Society: If you want to see how he’s pivoting from just being an actor to a major Hollywood mogul.
Don't expect a formal "confirmation" of their past relationship anytime soon—some things are better left to the fan theories and 2014 blog archives.