Ace Family Star Austin McBroom's Cheating Scandal Explained

The Ace Family was once among the most popular family YouTube channels, containing frequent vlogs from beloved former couple Austin McBroom and Catherine Paiz and their three kids, Elle, Alaïa and Steel. However, the family’s social media content fizzled out in late 2023 after seven years of posting. A few months later, in January 2024, Austin and Catherine announced their decision to divorce. Fast forward to more than one year later, in May 2025, when Austin reportedly admitted to cheating on Catherine prior to their split. Life & Style breaks down what happened between the YouTubers and their responses to the cheating scandal.

Why Did The Ace Family’s Austin McBroom and Catherine Paiz Split?

Catherine and Austin announced their divorce in separate Instagram posts in January 2024.

“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 it is, I feel liberated,” Catherine wrote.

Austin added, “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.”

The Ace Family’s Austin McBroom Reportedly Admitted to Cheating on Catherine Paiz

Austin reportedly confirmed that he cheated on Catherine in a string of Snapchat Stories on May 12, 2025, according to E! News. At the time, he also reportedly claimed that his ex had condoned his infidelity, which Catherine denied in a May 28, 2025, appearance on Alex Cooper’s “Call Her Daddy” podcast.

“One thing he said that really just was a punch to the gut was, ‘Yes, I cheated and she was OK with it as long as I said you don’t embarrass me,’” she said. “That is not true. I never ever said that. I would never say that.”

She continued, “I would never want my kids to think that it’s OK to cheat on your husband or your wife. I will make sure to raise them so that they know that they should never ever do that because that is so wrong. You never cheat on the person you love. I would never in a million years say that.”

Catherine said she knew of “three [women] for sure” with whom Austin cheated. “They’re out there in the world acting like that never happened, probably,” she added.

The mom of three said she first learned of her ex’s alleged infidelity while their second child, daughter Alaïa, was getting her first haircut. Catherine’s phone died, so she borrowed Austin’s to capture the milestone moment.

“I had never looked in his phone ever,” the influencer, who had been three months pregnant at the time with their third child, son Steel, explained. “As soon as I grabbed the phone, like out of a movie, this long text comes through like, ‘If you really love your wife, you wouldn’t be …’ In that moment, my heart drops. I’m pregnant. There are people watching us. The camera’s on. It felt surreal. He grabs the phone from me and instantly deletes the message. I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, it’s true.’”

Catherine said she then confronted Austin, with whom she also shares eldest daughter Elle, about the text in the car.

“I saw enough to know instantly that this is an emotional relationship he’s having with somebody,” she continued. “This is a woman that is having a relationship with my husband.”

Though she said she forgave Austin after he admitted to the infidelity, she said his admissions “never felt apologetic.”

Catherine, who will release her memoir, Dolores: My Journey Home, in July 2025, also said she felt relieved when he publicly admitted to the scandal.

“Even through our divorce, even through everything, I never heard him say the words ‘I cheated’ until a week ago,” she added. “When I heard the words, I was like, ‘Oh my god, finally. I heard that. Thank you so much. That was all I was waiting for.’ Finally hearing those words was so healing for me because it’s like I wasn’t going crazy.”