When blonde Jamie Perskins with blue eyes married the dark-skinned model Nikki Thot, their love story seemed like a modern fairy tale.

Together, they had two exceptionally beautiful children – but a few years ago, everything came crashing down…

How did Jamie and Nikki met

In 2009, the couple Nikki and Jamie met for the first time on an old-school social media site — MySpace. Remember that one?

At the time, 19-year-old Nikki Thot was already making waves as a popular South Sudanese-Australian model based in New York, signed with one of the biggest agencies in the world, IMG. Jamie, 25 at the time, was a cinematographer stepping into the world of music video production.

The following year, in March, they got married. In January 2016, they welcomed their first child, Ava, and their second, Zoe, arrived in March 2018.

The couple also had a dog named Louis.

Together, Nikki and Jamie quickly built up their social media presence, even starting a YouTube channel where fans could follow their journey. The channel exploded, racking up millions of followers.

”We literally fell into it. It was never a planned thing,” Jamie told Daily Mail Australia back in 2018.

Their big breakthrough came when Jamie proposed to Nikki — in a way that would go viral.

Proposing video going viral

“I wanted to propose to Nikki… and she used to watch all of those amazing proposal videos online—the ones that go viral,” Jamie shared.

“So I knew I needed to do something epic. I created a video that played in Federation Square, and Nikki sat in front of it to watch. My friend filmed it, and we uploaded it to YouTube to share with the family.”

What was supposed to be a private moment for family and friends quickly blew up, amassing 4.6 million likes.

“It went crazy. And then people in the comments wanted to know who we are—so vlogging came out of that,” Jamie said.

Their wedding video did even better, with eight million likes. But for Nikki and Jamie, it was never about the views.

”People assume vloggers are sharing everything, but we keep a lot of our life to ourselves. We’re just having fun, and it’ll be great to look back in 10-20 years and see what we were doing,” he said.

For the Australian family, life became a series of likes, followers, fans, and, ultimately, a full-time job. Ava’s and Zoe’s life were carefully chronicled, every milestone captured in a never-ending stream of digital snapshots.

She never got bullied for her skin

The contrast to her mother Nikki’s childhood couldn’t be more striking. While Ava’s life is laid bare on social media, Nikki had no baby pictures to speak of.

Her past, especially her early years, was a quiet, hidden world.

Nikki was born in Khartoum, Sudan, and moved with her family to Victoria, Australia, in 1994 when she was just four years old.

Growing up in the suburbs of Melbourne, in the modest neighborhood of Moorabbin, Nikki’s South Sudanese roots shaped her upbringing in ways that would become part of her identity forever.

“Growing up, I never really realized I was different from everyone else,” Nikki told Buzzfeed. “I never really got bullied for my skin. It’s funny because the only time I was made to feel different was from my own people, because I’m darker than my mum.”

Her family valued privacy above all else, and life was centered on hard work—a lesson instilled by her father, who, after failing his veterinary science exam by just a fraction each time, took the test ten times in an attempt to pass.

Her parents had clear expectations for her: do well in school, pursue something stable, perhaps medicine or law, and build a secure, traditional career. But Nikki had different plans. Instead of following the conventional path her parents envisioned, Nikki chose to become a model and a YouTuber.

The decision didn’t come without its complications. Her family’s reaction was predictable — resistance, discomfort, and a reluctance to be involved in her new career. When Nikki first began vlogging, they avoided the camera at all costs.

One day, Nikki’s father, who had always preferred a life away from the public eye, had an experience that would highlight the difference between the private life he knew and the public world Nikki was entering. While riding the train, he was approached by a group of her subscribers.

“Oh my gosh, you’re Nikki’s dad!” they exclaimed, their recognition taking him by surprise.

“Dad was horrified,” Nikki recalled, laughing at the memory. “It’s hilarious now, but at the time, he just couldn’t believe people knew who he was from our videos.”

As mentioned, when Nikki was growing up, no one paid much attention to her skin color. But that changed once she became well-known.

Her skin color and their interracial relationship became frequent topics of discussion, and she began facing criticism in the comment sections. And Jamie’s role as Ava’s father has often been met with judgment and misunderstanding.

On one occasion, a doctor asked Jamie how he knew Ava, assuming they weren’t related. Jamie described the encounter as more “confronting” than “racist,” but it was a moment that highlighted the misconceptions they faced.

Nikki’s skin color has also become a frequent topic in the comments on her beauty channel side-project.

While she appears on both her family and beauty channels, the reaction from the audiences couldn’t be more different. On the family channel, where their life is showcased, diversity is celebrated. One comment reads, “You guys bought [sic] a smile to my day!” But Nikki points out that “all the trolls hide in the beauty section,” where the comments are often filled with negativity and harsh criticism.

Why did Jamie and Nikki divorce

For Nikki and Jamie, the challenge was always about finding the right balance between sharing their family and marriage moments with their followers, and preserving some semblance of privacy.

But by 2023, keeping things private became nearly impossible, and Jamie publicly announced that he and Nikki had separated.

According to Page Six, the couple actually parted ways in 2019, but their divorce wasn’t finalized until four years later. Their separation was a far cry from the loving images and the tight-knit family dynamic they once shared.

In a revealing YouTube video posted by Jamie, he broke his silence about the end of his six-year marriage to Nikki Thot. He spoke candidly about the ”abuse,” ”violence,” and infidelity that, according to him, occurred during their time together.

”I’ve been quietly struggling for a really, really long time, and I’ve just been in fear, living in fear, living in survival mode, pretty much on autopilot for a really long time just trying to maintain my place as a father in Ava and Zoe’s lives,” the father of two shared. He went on to reveal that since the split, he has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, situational depression, and severe social anxiety.

“The reason Nikki and I broke up was I discovered she had been unfaithful,” he claimed. “She’d been going behind my back with her ex-boyfriend, and I’d been warned about him being an issue before. … The first year of our marriage, I discovered that she’d been secretly keeping in contact with him.”

In response to the allegations, Thot took to her Instagram Story, expressing that she was “extremely disappointed” in her ex-husband, claiming he was attempting to ”slander” her character.

She explained that she had hoped to keep the matter private for the sake of their daughters but now felt the need to address the accusations and share her side of the story.

”I have no contact with him since he posted that video, nor have I threatened legal action. Jamie removed the video simply because he saw that people wasn’t buying this story. He blamed me for absolutely everything. Nothing I could do was right and I was at fault for anything that went wrong in his life,” Nikki wrote.

Today, the couple lives apart, but Jamie continues to work as an influencer. He describes himself as a YouTuber, adventurer, car lover, and, above all, a single parent. ”I’m just trying to be the best dad I can be,” he says.

Today, the couple’s daughters are 6 and 8 years old, and it’s clear they are two adorable little ones!

Despite the challenges and ups and downs they’ve faced, Jamie and Nikki’s journey shows resilience and growth. Through it all, their love for their daughters remains unwavering, and they continue to build their lives, each finding their own path.

We wish them all the best as they move forward, embracing new chapters and creating happy, lasting memories with their family. Here’s to brighter days ahead

Jamie Lee Curtis was wow. But I never knew she was so wow – until I recently rewatched her in True Lies.

This 1994 movie blended action, comedy, and drama in a way that captivated audiences and made it a cult classic.

But did you know that the film nearly killed its lead character, Arnold Schwarzenegger? And did you catch Jamie Lee Curtis’s unforgettable revealing underwear bloopers?

True Lies has always been one of my favorites. Being born in the ’80s, I’ve probably seen it over 10 times. Great storyline, awesome action, and fantastic actors. It might even be my favorite Arnold Schwarzenegger film. For those who haven’t seen it, here’s a quick recap:

The film follows Harry Tasker, a seemingly ordinary man who leads a secret life as a government spy. When his bored wife, played by Jamie Lee Curtis, unknowingly gets caught up in his dangerous world, it leads to a mix of action, suspense, and comedy.

It’s worth noting that True Lies also features a strong supporting cast, including Tom Arnold, Bill Paxton, Art Malik, and Tia Carrere, all of whom deliver memorable performances that add to the charm of this classic film.

Schwarzenegger’s near-fatal accident on set

During the intense horse-riding scene in True Lies, Arnold Schwarzenegger had a terrifying near-miss that could’ve ended in disaster.

As the cameras rolled, his horse suddenly got spooked and bolted out of control. With no time to react, Arnold had to think fast — he managed to slide off the saddle, but in the worst possible spot, just inches from a 30-foot drop.

The chaos started when the crew set up a shot where the horse had to stop at the edge of a building. To give it more room, they built a small ramp. But while measuring the new distance to the camera, someone accidentally dropped the camera arm — right onto the horse’s nose. The startled animal panicked, spinning and rearing on a ramp that was only four feet wide, with no railing.

”I realized it was a bad situation and slid off the horse right away, and a stuntman grabbed me,” Schwarzenegger later recalled. ”If the horse stepped a foot the wrong way, we would have fallen 90 feet onto a cement floor.”

The funniest lines in True Lies

One of the funniest lines in True Lies has a surprisingly real backstory.

When Harry Tasker confides in his partner Gib about suspecting his wife of having an affair, Albert Gibson, played by Tom Arnold, responds with a bitter rant about his own divorce. He recalls how his ex-wife took everything when she left — ”even the ice cube trays from the freezer!”

What makes this moment even better is that it wasn’t just a scripted joke — it was inspired by real life. At the time, Tom Arnold was going through a messy divorce from Roseanne Barr, and, as it turns out, she really did take the ice cube trays when she moved out.

Arnold had vented about it to director James Cameron on set, saying, “What kind of sick bitch takes the ice cube trays out of the freezer?” Cameron found the line so hilarious that he decided to work it into the script.

The audition joke that won Tom Arnold a role

Speaking of Tom Arnold, many might not know that he never actually expected to land a role in True Lies. He only went to the audition for a chance to meet director James Cameron.

During the audition, he read some scenes with Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Cameron immediately picked up on their natural chemistry. Afterward, Tom jokingly told Cameron, ”[Schwarzenegger]’s not that big, I think I can take him.” That unexpected comment cracked Cameron up — and just like that, Tom had secured the role.

Tom Arnold later mentioned that he had the same great chemistry with Arnold Schwarzenegger off-screen as they did on-screen. They became good friends during the filming of True Lies.

Tony’s little girl

When it came to casting Helen Tasker in True Lies, James Cameron had his heart set on Jamie Lee Curtis, but Arnold Schwarzenegger wasn’t immediately on board.

Cameron had known Curtis for years, having previously worked with her on Blue Steel (1990), directed by his ex-wife Kathryn Bigelow. Cameron always admired her talent and was eager to work with her again. However, when he brought her up for the role, Schwarzenegger wasn’t convinced. The iconic action star wasn’t sure Curtis was the right fit for Helen, and in an effort not to upset his friend, Arnold had his agent relay the message to Cameron.

Respecting Schwarzenegger’s opinion, Cameron auditioned many actresses for the role, but after watching Curtis’s memorable performance in A Fish Called Wanda (1988), he was certain she was the one. Cameron, trusting his instincts, decided to make his bold move. He went to Schwarzenegger and simply asked, “Do you trust me?” When Arnold confirmed, Cameron told him, “It’s going to be Jamie.” Despite his initial reservations, Arnold reluctantly agreed.

In hindsight, it’s been said that the age gap was a concern for the Terminator star. Arnold was 11 years older than Jamie Lee Curtis, but what truly mattered to him was the deep respect he had for Jamie’s father, the legendary actor Tony Curtis.

”I think he knew me as Tony’s little girl. I think it might have been a little weird for him having to  make out with Tony’s daughter,” Jamie Lee Curtis once explained.

Truth about the erotic dance

One of the most iconic and hilarious moments in True Lies happens when Helen tries to do an erotic dance and ends up tumbling to the ground. To spice up their marriage, Harry convinces Helen to join him on a fake spy mission at a hotel.

This leads to the famous striptease scene, where Helen thinks she’s seducing a fictional spy, which turns out to be her husband Harry.

First, Jamie begins dancing seductively to the romantic ballad “Alone in the Dark.”

But as the tension builds, her hand slips off the bedpost, causing her to unexpectedly fall to the floor mid-dance.

It turns out that while most of True Lies was carefully scripted and rehearsed, the striptease scene wasn’t quite as polished.

In a podcast interview, Curtis shared, “The thing that nobody knows: There was no rehearsal, there is no choreographer. Jim [James Cameron] said to me, ‘What do you want to dance to?’” She chose John Hiatt’s “Alone in the Dark” and explained that she danced in the scene the same way she would if she were at home alone.

A deliberate decision

After deciding the song, Jamie Lee Curtis actually rehearsed the iconic dance scene extensively with director James Cameron before shooting it.

During these rehearsals, the idea for Helen’s fall in the middle of the dance was conceived — not as a spontaneous accident, as many have believed, but as a deliberate decision made ahead of time. Arnold Schwarzenegger, however, wasn’t informed about the planned fall before filming.

In the scene, there’s a subtle moment when Harry (Schwarzenegger) briefly sits up in shock, quickly realizes he’s breaking character, and then relaxes. This reaction wasn’t planned, making it clear that the fall was a surprise for him.

For example, Arnold Schwarzenegger wasn’t supposed to drop the tape recorder, but James Cameron liked the moment so much that he decided to keep it in the film.

When they filmed another take of the same gag, Schwarzenegger’s response didn’t feel as genuine, which highlights the true spontaneity of the moment.

This behind-the-scenes insight adds a layer of magic to the scene, proving that while the comedy was carefully crafted, the surprise for everyone — especially Schwarzenegger — was very real.

”I hated every hour of it”

Speaking of that iconic scene, which is arguably the most famous in the whole film, did you know that the bra and matching panties worn by Helen Tasker during the striptease scene were actually Jamie Lee Curtis’s own? Bet you didn’t expect that!

Another fun detail is when Arnold Schwarzenegger was asked in an interview if his wife was bothered by him sitting there watching Jamie Lee Curtis strip, he humorously replied that she did ask him about it.

Arnold reassured her, saying, ”Honey, I hated every hour of it!”

Less revealing underwear

Although Helen is still wearing the same outfit she had on when she was kidnapped after her striptease for Harry in the hotel, when she’s in the back of the limo during the bridge demolition scene, she’s suddenly wearing less revealing underwear.

Looks like a quick wardrobe change somehow slipped in during the chaos —definitely not something that happens every day! It’s a small but funny continuity hiccup in all the action.

A dance of nerve and dedication

Jamie Lee Curtis won a Golden Globe for her role as Helen Tasker, but the striptease scene in True Lies followed her for a long time.

The scene faced some criticism, with some viewers seeing it as misogynistic. However, director James Cameron later revealed that Curtis played a significant role in shaping how the scene unfolded. Initially, the plan was for Helen to strip completely in the dark, showing only her silhouette.

Curtis, however, suggested doing the scene in full light while keeping her underwear on. She even demonstrated this approach to Cameron, who remarked that it reminded him of why he loved his job. Interestingly, while many men criticized the scene, most female reviewers found it empowering and even liberating for Helen.

Jamie Lee Curtis has called True Lies “without question, the greatest experience of my professional life so far.” However, filming the iconic striptease scene took quite a toll on her.

“Please, to say I wasn’t neurotic as any woman would be who was going to do that dance! To say I didn’t diet. To say I didn’t go to the gym. I did a lot of leg lifts, squats, anything to firm up my body, because I was about to be photographed for the rest of time in my G-string and bra!”

Schwarzenegger’s unexpected gesture

Schwarzenegger, ever the professional, didn’t let his initial reluctance affect his attitude toward Curtis on set. In fact, Arnold was so impressed with her performance that when it came time to finalize the billing for the movie, he surprised everyone by showing a lot of class.

Originally, Arnold was slated to have top billing, followed by the title, then Jamie Lee Curtis’s name. However, after watching the final cut, Cameron realized the film wasn’t just about the action — it was fundamentally about the relationship between the two lead characters.

He saw it as a “domestic epic” that revolved around a marriage, making Jamie Lee Curtis an equally important part of the story. So, Cameron called up Schwarzenegger and asked if he would be okay with placing Curtis’s name before the title, right next to his.

Without hesitation, Schwarzenegger agreed. As Curtis herself put it, in the cutthroat world of show business, credit is everything, and for Arnold to make this move was a “real mensch move on his part.” In an industry where actors can sometimes be protective over their billing, Schwarzenegger’s gesture was a rare and admirable display of respect and generosity.

This behind-the-scenes story not only speaks to the chemistry between Arnold and Jamie Lee Curtis on screen but also highlights the kind of camaraderie and respect that often goes unnoticed behind the scenes.

”They’re both good with comedy; they’re both very physical. They seem to somehow balance each other out very well,” Cameron said after he did the movie.

Shaping the character

Jamie Lee Curtis was deeply involved in shaping her character from the early stages of the script. Two key suggestions she made helped enhance Helen’s role and storyline. First, she pushed for Helen to remain unaware of Harry’s double life. In the original script, Helen was already in on Harry’s spy antics. Curtis believed that keeping Helen in the dark would make the revelation more comedic and surprising, adding an extra layer of conflict and humor to their relationship.

Second, Curtis advocated for more scenes showing Harry and Helen bickering and arguing over his deceptions, with eventual moments of reconciliation. She felt that these emotionally honest moments would give their relationship greater depth, making it resonate more with the audience.

Director James Cameron agreed with her vision and reworked the script to incorporate these changes. As a result, Helen’s character became more dynamic, offering a blend of comedy, drama, and genuine emotional conflict as she processed the shocking truth about Harry’s secret life.

The hanging from a helicopter-scene

Curtis also insisted on doing her own stunts. While Arnold Schwarzenegger dealt with his own dangerous stunt work involving runaway horses, Curtis faced her own high-flying challenges. One of the most memorable stunts involved her hanging from a helicopter, 250 feet in the air at 60 mph.

Initially, James Cameron was hesitant, but Curtis was determined.

“I was willing to do all of it,” she said of the experience. “I’m willing to do almost anything, I have no fear of heights.”

On the day of the shoot, Curtis was suspended from a helicopter skid with no safety nets, while Cameron filmed her with a handheld camera from outside the aircraft. Both director and actress were willing to risk their lives for the shot, creating one of the most intense, heart-pounding action sequences ever filmed.

Third-highest-grossing film of 1994

True Lies was a massive blockbuster success, raking in over $378 million worldwide, making it the third-highest-grossing film of 1994, trailing only The Lion King and Forrest Gump. Not bad for a film that saw Jamie Lee Curtis stepping out of her usual roles and Arnold Schwarzenegger delivering some seriously iconic lines!

Interestingly, it was during the production of True Lies in 1993 that James Cameron met his future Titanic and Avatar co-producer Jon Landau. In July 2024, Cameron shared that Landau, who was the studio ”suit” overseeing True Lies, played a key role in making the film even better through some crucial rewrites.

True Lies certainly sparked a lot of debate over the years—whether it’s about its portrayal of gender roles, the balance between comedy and action, or the intense stunts that are hard to forget. Some argue that the striptease scene was empowering, showing Helen’s willingness to take control of a dangerous situation, while others believe it played into a tired trope of women being objectified for the sake of humor.

And of course, there’s the action! Was it a bit too far-fetched or was it one of the most thrilling action-comedies of the ’90s? Was Arnold Schwarzenegger’s portrayal of a loving yet secretive spy relatable, or did it lean too much into the typical action hero persona?

Do you think True Lies holds up today, or has the world changed enough where its themes could be seen differently? Would love to hear what everyone thinks

Despite declining masculinity when she changed her gender to become a woman, A trans influencer slammed society, boldly suggesting that men today are too sensitive and that they need to stop expecting the “princess treatment.”

Arizona’s Ali C. Lopez is no stranger to controversy. As a proud, plus-size transgender woman and social media influencer, she fearlessly shared her journey, captivating audiences with her raw honesty and bold perspective.

Lopez’ popularity was launched after an appearance on the Whatever podcast, where topics like feminism, gender roles and traditional values are fiercely debated.

Her candid responses during the podcast, particularly when asked to rate her attractiveness, sparked online attention.

Lopez famously declared herself “a fat f***ing ten,” a statement that led to the creation of the now-viral meme “Gorlock the Destroyer.”

Though the moniker initially stung, Lopez admits she’s trying to embrace it but still finds the Gorlock label unsettling.

“If I’m 100% honest, there are days where it still bothers me that I get called that…There was even a time I was like, ‘should I just even embrace [‘Gorlock the Destroyer’] at this point?’ I don’t even care,” Lopez told Fox News Digital.

But, the 25-year-old is enjoying the attention. “I feel like [it’s]… a little bit of an out-of-body experience, or you’re just, like, there’s, ‘No way that’s me.’ It’s a crazy feeling. And honestly, I’m still fairly new to [being viral],” she said about her online fame. “There’s good, bad, exciting, nervous. It’s just all over the place.”

‘Princess treatment’

The hype surrounding Lopez doesn’t stop at her Gorlock identity, and her 502,000 TikTok followers can’t get enough of her content, many posts that collect millions of likes.

From beauty tutorials and lifestyle tips to heartfelt videos on her transition, Lopez – who calls herself a “certified baddie” – offers a unique blend of relatability and inspiration. However, it’s her candid discussions about dating and relationships that have sparked the most heated debates.

The transgender woman has been vocal about her challenges and observations when it comes to dating, faulting the decline in traditional masculinity, which she says impacts modern relationships.

“It’s getting out of control,” Lopez told Fox News, explaining she wants to find a man who can handle tasks that in the past were labelled as traditionally masculine.

But that’s not easy to find these days, according to Lopez.

“At least for me, you better be able to do more than what my dad can do. Because if I have to call my dad to do something for me and not you. Why are you here?” Lopez continued, “I feel like a lot of [men] need to start being [men]. When it comes to the male world…men nowadays are expecting princess treatment.”

She adds, “I just see a lot of men expecting women in the relationship…to go above and beyond and like them to almost do nothing…I also love when there is a little bit of a gender role in a relationship. I’m not a big fan of toxic masculinity [but] I like when there’s a little bit of that, like ‘I’m the man and I’m going to take charge.’”

What people are saying

Lopez’s views on the world were met with some praise and a lot of hostility.

One netizen writes, “Well – I don’t quite know where to start – why would anyone be influenced by anything coming from this person – maybe she should indulge in some inner reflection about dating issues.”

A second, associating her physique to Humpty Dumpty, shares, “…and all the king’s horses and all the king’s men…”

@al.weeezy♬ Tu Boda – Oscar Maydon & Fuerza Regida

In the comments section of a TikTok clip that has 9.8 million views, one troll references Jabba the Hutt from the Star Wars franchise: “Jabba will not make it past 40 with that lifestyle,” the troll writes. A second adds, “The confidence is amazing. Jabba I’m proud of you.”

Meanwhile, others jumped in and defended the plus-sized trans influencer.

“Girl, you look great! Don’t let these ppl bring you down!!!” writes one, while a second shares, “I’m sorry people are so mean you’re so pretty.”

Ali C. Lopez is more than just a social media influencer – she’s a trailblazer challenging societal norms and her story is a reminder of the strength it takes to be unapologetically yourself, especially in a world that often resists change.