When blonde cinematographer Jamie Perkins met South Sudanese-Australian model Nikki Thot on MySpace in 2009, it was the start of a modern fairy tale. Married a year later, they welcomed daughters Ava (2016) and Zoe (2018), sharing their life on YouTube where proposal and wedding videos went viral, attracting millions of followers. Nikki’s childhood in Melbourne was private and modest, a stark contrast to the public life she later lived. She rarely faced prejudice growing up, but fame brought scrutiny over her skin color and her interracial marriage. Jamie recalled even being asked by a doctor how he knew his own daughter.
Despite fame, the couple kept parts of their life private—until 2023, when Jamie announced their separation. He claimed they’d split in 2019 due to Nikki’s alleged infidelity and described years of “abuse,” “violence,” and emotional strain, later revealing he’d been diagnosed with PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Nikki denied his claims, accusing him of trying to “slander” her and insisting she had no contact with her ex.
Now divorced, both focus on co-parenting. Jamie continues as an influencer, and Nikki remains active on social media. Their daughters, now 6 and 8, remain at the center of their lives. Though their marriage ended, their shared dedication to Ava and Zoe endures—proving that while love stories can change, family bonds can still hold strong.