Austin McBroom’s Post Divorce Media Metamorphosis: A Lifestyle Unraveled from Family Man to…?
I chose to focus on the ACE Family for this project because they were one of the first YouTube channels I ever consistently watched. The Ace Family once dominated online spaces, their YouTube channel brimming with family vlogs, extravagant challenges, and glimpses into their seemingly perfect life. In 2016, they gained a dedicated following of over 18 million subscribers, expanding their influence beyond YouTube with carefully curated Instagram and TikTok feeds, branded merchandise, and even their fan event, “Ace Fest.” However, cracks began to show in 2020. Criticism arose for their flaunting of wealth amidst social unrest, and accusations of scamming fans through an NFT project and legal troubles surrounding their dream mansion construction tarnished their “wholesome family” image. November 2023 marked a turning point: their highly publicized divorce sent a shock to their audience. While citing “irreconcilable difference,” rumors of infidelity fueled the media frenzy, with Austin’s denial further amplifying speculation. The Youtube channel, once buzzing with daily uploads fell silent in June 2023, leaving the future of their online presence uncertain.
In my video made with screen-o-matic, I chose to focus specifically on Austin McBroom, the husband and father, and the lifestyles, values, and points of view that are represented through his media presence. Austin McBroom, once the face of the squeaky-clean Ace Family YouTube empire, has undergone a dramatic media shift since his highly publicized divorce from Catherine. Austin’s pre-divorce media presence revolved around portraying the ideal family man. Vlogs showcase him as a loving husband, playful father, and successful entrepreneur. Since the divorce, his media presence has undergone a significant transformation. He has become more active on social media, particularly Instagram and Snapchat, where he shares cryptic messages, workout routines, and glimpses into his post-divorce bachelor lifestyle. In my video, I show the difference in content from before and after the divorce to portray the drastic change in his media presence.
This project proved to be a valuable learning experience. Some problems I faced were navigating platforms like screen-o-matic and medium. This initial unfamiliarity eventually transformed into a rewarding opportunity to expand my digital skill set. I also had a hard time when it came to recording my assignment. After figuring out how to navigate screen-o-matic, I was struggling to sort out what information would be best for each section. Overall, this was a good experience and I would do it again!
Youtube Channel: youtube.com/channel/UCWwWOFsW68TqXE-HZLC3WIA
Instagram: @austinmcbroom https://www.instagram.com/austinmcbroom?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
My Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/HJoeK4-Ssuo
