In the relentless swirl of internet drama surrounding the former YouTube power coupleAustin McBroom andCatherine Paiz, a new twist has emerged: McBroom has publicly accused Paiz’s upcoming wedding of being a façade. In response, Paiz appeared emotionally shaken in an interview, breaking down as she tried to defend her integrity.

This explosive claim adds yet another chapter to their tumultuous separation, already rife with accusations of betrayal, conflicting narratives, and public recriminations.

From “ACE Family” to Divorce

To understand the gravity of McBroom’s new claims, one must first trace the arc of their relationship. Austin McBroom and Catherine Paiz rose to fame through their joint YouTube channel,The ACE Family, becoming among the most-followed influencer couples. Over years of content, they presented a polished life — children, travel, smiles, and family ventures.

However, cracks were always rumored. In January 2024, McBroom and Paiz announced their divorce, citing “irreconcilable differences.” In May 2025, Paiz released a memoir titled Dolores: My Journey Home, in which she laid bare allegations of McBroom’s infidelity and described emotional anguish endured during their marriage. McBroom, in response, admitted via Snapchat that he had “stepped out” on the marriage, though he contested certain of Paiz’s claims.

Already, the public sides with one narrative or the other — victim, villain, or something more nuanced. Now, McBroom has escalated the drama with his new charge: that Paiz’s forthcoming wedding is nothing but a sham.

The Accusation: Wedding Exposed as “Fake”

In recent statements (on social media livestreams, interviews, or private messages leaked to press), McBroom has suggested that the wedding Paiz is planning — presumably to tattoo artist Igor Ten — is not genuine. He claims it is being staged for public optics: a “PR move” designed to rehabilitate her image and maintain social media relevance.

While direct transcripts of these accusations remain elusive in credible mainstream media, the sentiment is confirmed in People Magazine, which reports McBroom said he “might cry” at the upcoming wedding of his ex, recognizing the emotional weight of seeing someone he was once with move forward. But the leap from “I might be emotional” to “this wedding is fake” is a new escalation and suggests McBroom is pushing a more confrontational narrative.

His rationale apparently includes:

Timing and reveal: The engagement was only announced recently (September 2025), and the wedding is already slated soon, leading McBroom to hint that there’s little time to plan a legitimate ceremony.

Media optics: Paiz has long engaged in a curated public persona; McBroom insinuates that the wedding is another chapter of “content strategy.”

Emotional defense or power play: By disputing the wedding’s legitimacy, McBroom asserts moral leverage — presenting himself not just as reacting emotionally, but as revealing deception.

In social media threads and forums, many fans and commentators have echoed or amplified the idea that McBroom’s stance is a retaliation — that even if the wedding is real, he has motivations to question it publicly. As one Reddit commenter put it:

He is attempting to gaslight his following by saying he’s ‘heart broken’ … He has never taken accountability … He turned his replies off on Snapchat.”

Paiz Responds — Breakdown and Defense

Unsurprisingly, Paiz did not remain silent. In a podcast or interview format (some coverage mentions her appearance onCall Her Daddy), she addressed McBroom’s allegations with tears and frustration. She denied statements that he claimed she accepted his infidelity, particularly the phrase he attributed to her: “Just don’t make me look dumb. Don’t embarrass me.” She said she would never have uttered such a sentence.

In that emotional moment, Paiz’s defenses included:

Asserting that she has always spoken truthfully about her feelings and her experiences.

Emphasizing the sincerity of her healing journey and rejecting any suggestion that her vulnerability is a performance.

Insisting that her engagement to Igor Ten is real and grounded in emotional honesty.

The breakdown (visible in audio/video transcripts referenced in news coverage) underscores the emotional toll of public scrutiny and relational rupture. It also showcases the challenge many public figures face: maintaining authenticity when every tear or trembling voice is potentially parsed for motive.

Motives, Strategy & Public Perception

Why would McBroom level such an explosive accusation now? What might he gain — and what might he risk?

Possible motives

Narrative controlBy casting doubt on the wedding, McBroom seeks to reinsert himself into the storyline — from ex-spouse reacting, to investigator uncovering a “false” moment.

Sympathy and credibilityIf he frames himself as the one calling out a deception, he might pivot perceptions from the wrongdoer to the one exposing deceit.

Preemptive defenseIf the wedding becomes a cultural moment or media spectacle, McBroom may aim to diminish its impact by framing it as inauthentic.

Power dynamics and leverageIn public divorces between influencers, whoever controls the narrative often retains longer cultural relevance, control over audience loyalty, and bargaining power (for brand deals, social media influence, etc.).

Risks for McBroom

Backlash and villain brandingIf he is seen as attacking Paiz without evidence, the public and fans may rally more strongly behind her.

Counter-accusations of manipulationPaiz and her allies could assert that McBroom is intentionally weaponizing emotional conflict.

Undermining co-parenting relationshipsFor purposes of their children’s well-being and public image, such public fights can strain relationships further.

Impact on Paiz

Emotional laborPublicly defending against allegations—especially with tears—is exhausting and vulnerable work.

Perception of fragility or sinceritySome will view her breakdown as genuine, others as calculated — a tension many public women face when expressing emotion.Vindication or further scrutinyIf Paiz successfully proves the wedding is real, McBroom’s claims could backfire; but any ambiguity might fuel ongoing debate and scrutiny.

What We Still Don’t Know — Gaps in the Public Record

As of now, several critical facts remain uncertain or unverified:

Concrete evidence: McBroom’s accusations seem largely verbal and speculative in public coverage. There is no widely circulated documented proof (in credible media) that the wedding is staged.

Timeline and logistics: Details about wedding planning, contracts, vendors, and guest lists are not publicly available — which means that skeptics and supporters may interpret absence of evidence differently.

Paiz’s counter-evidence: Has she shown behind-the-scenes footage, vendor contracts, or personal documentation? Public reports do not mention those.

Legal or contractual arrangements: It’s unclear whether any legal binding documents (e.g. marriage license filing, venue booking) have been leaked or confirmed.Motives behind the leaks: Whether McBroom’s statements arise independently or are influenced by PR teams, brand interests, or social media backlash remains opaque.

Broader Context: Celebrity, Pain & Performance

This dispute between McBroom and Paiz sits at the intersection of several tensions that define modern influencer culture:

Authenticity vs. performanceIn a world where life is content and content is life, relationships become performative. Weddings themselves are spectacles; questioning their authenticity is almost a meta-commentary on modern public life.

Emotional labor under public gazePaiz’s tears are under scrutiny: Are they genuine, strategic, or both? That paradox is central in celebrity spectacles.

Gendered expectationsWomen who cry are sometimes dismissed as weak or hysterical; men who interrogate those tears are sometimes labeled saviors. The dynamics of power, narrative, and perception often intersect with gender biases.

Social media amplificationLeaks, clips, comment threads, and influencer narratives magnify what might otherwise remain private disputes. Every interview, quote, and emotional slip is fodder for viral discussion.

Brand and monetization incentivesFor influencers, personal drama often intersects with public relevance. Controversy can revive engagement metrics, spotlight new releases (like Paiz’s memoir), or catalyze new content angles.

What to Watch Next

Given the state of public knowledge so far, the following developments could decisively alter how this story is seen:

Documentary or behind-the-scenes evidence: If Paiz or McBroom release contracts, vendor statements, or unreleased footage, those could substantiate or refute the accusation.

Venue/guest confirmations: If attendees or vendors involved in the wedding come forward independently, they could test the “fake wedding” claim.

Legal filings: A public marriage license or court record could anchor the wedding in tangible legal reality.

Further public appearances: The behavior of both in upcoming interviews, social media posts, and public events may shift sympathy or narrative momentum.

Media-savvy third parties: Investigative outlets or entertainment journalists might dig for corroboration or contradiction.

Conclusion

The dramatic charge thatAustin McBroom has “exposed” Catherine Paiz’s wedding as fake is a potent escalation in a long, emotionally volatile saga. For McBroom, it’s part of reclaiming narrative control. For Paiz, it’s another strike in a marathon defense of selfhood, authenticity, and emotional honesty.

In the finale of this conflict — if there ever is one — the public may find that some truths are messy and layered. Weddings, breakups, and celebrity feuds rarely resolve neatly. But in this public dispute, there is a larger story: about image, vulnerability, and who gets to decide what is real—or not—in a life lived for the eyes of millions.