The seemingly fairytale romance between blonde cinematographer Jamie Perkins and dark-skinned South Sudanese-Australian model Nikki Thot blossomed online in 2009 through MySpace. Their connection quickly led to marriage in March 2010, and the arrival of their two daughters, Ava in January 2016 and Zoe in March 2018. The photogenic family, completed by their dog Louis, enthusiastically embraced social media, amassing millions of followers on their YouTube channel where they chronicled their daily lives. Their viral proposal video, orchestrated by Jamie in a public square, and their wedding video further amplified their online fame, turning their family life into a full-time career of vlogging and sharing milestones.

Nikki’s upbringing in suburban Melbourne, after her family’s move from Sudan at age four, stood in stark contrast to the very public lives of her daughters. While Ava and Zoe’s childhood was openly documented online, Nikki’s early years were marked by privacy and a strong emphasis on hard work and traditional career paths, as envisioned by her parents. Initially resistant to Nikki’s unconventional career as a model and YouTuber, her family gradually navigated the shift into the public eye, experiencing firsthand the recognition that came with their daughter’s online presence. However, as Nikki’s fame grew, both her interracial relationship with Jamie and her skin color became subjects of public commentary, sometimes attracting negative and judgmental remarks, particularly on her beauty-focused side channel.

Despite their online success and seemingly happy family dynamic, the pressures of balancing public sharing with private life eventually took their toll. By 2023, Jamie publicly announced his separation from Nikki, revealing that they had actually parted ways in 2019, with their divorce finalized four years later. The split starkly contrasted with the loving online persona they had cultivated. In a revealing YouTube video, Jamie made serious allegations of “abuse,” “violence,” and infidelity during their six-year marriage, stating he had been living in fear and survival mode to maintain his role as a father. He also shared his diagnoses of PTSD, situational depression, and severe social anxiety following the separation, claiming Nikki had been unfaithful with her ex-boyfriend.

Nikki responded to Jamie’s accusations on her Instagram Story, expressing her “extreme disappointment” and asserting that he was attempting to “slander” her character. She stated her initial desire to keep the matter private for the sake of their daughters but felt compelled to share her side of the story in response to his public allegations. Nikki claimed she had no contact with Jamie since his video and denied threatening legal action. She further alleged that Jamie had blamed her for everything that went wrong in his life and that nothing she did was ever right in his eyes.

Today, Jamie and Nikki live separately, with Jamie continuing his work as an influencer, identifying as a YouTuber, adventurer, car enthusiast, and a single parent dedicated to his daughters, now 6 and 8 years old. Despite the public unraveling of their marriage and the serious allegations exchanged, their journey is portrayed as one of resilience and individual growth. While their romantic relationship ended, their shared focus remains on their “adorable little ones,” as they navigate their separate paths while co-parenting.