In the hyper-curated world of digital content creation, genuine surprise is a rare and precious commodity. Yet, Catherine Paiz, a figure who has spent over a decade documenting her life for millions, has just delivered the most unscripted plot twist of her career: a shock pregnancy. At 35, the former matriarch of the YouTube dynasty The ACE Family is expecting her fourth child, her first with new husband, tattoo artist Igor Ten. The announcement, made just one month after their whirlwind wedding, is more than just baby news; it’s a powerful declaration of a new chapter, one defined by personal fulfillment, unexpected joy, and a narrative entirely her own.
The news, which unfolded with candid authenticity on her Instagram Stories, signals a profound shift for Paiz. This isn't just about expanding her family; it's about rebuilding it on a foundation that feels, in her own words, "safe and fulfilled." For a woman whose previous life played out like a public spectacle, this quiet, personal joy feels revolutionary. It’s a story of love after loss, of finding stability in the unexpected, and of embracing motherhood with the wisdom and perspective that only life experience can provide.
A Whirlwind Romance and a Doha Surprise
The timeline of Catherine Paiz and Igor Ten’s new beginning is nothing short of cinematic. The couple married in a private ceremony in late September, a union that marked a definitive turning point in Paiz's personal life. In a move of symbolic and biological significance, she stopped taking birth control on her wedding day, embracing the future with open arms. What she likely didn't anticipate was how swiftly that future would arrive.
The moment of discovery happened not in the familiar setting of her Los Angeles home, but thousands of miles away in Doha, Qatar. It was there that a pregnancy test revealed the life-altering news. Paiz captured the raw, unfiltered shock for her followers, posting videos and photos of the positive result. “I’m pregnant!!!!! Still so shocked ahhhhh,” she wrote, her exclamation points practically vibrating with disbelief and elation. This wasn't a planned, perfectly-lit reveal; it was a spontaneous burst of emotion, a genuine moment shared in real-time.
She has since shared that the familiar signs of early pregnancy have already set in, noting she is experiencing nausea in her first trimester. For his part, Igor Ten has embraced his impending fatherhood with public adoration. His social media posts celebrated the news with photos of the couple clutching the positive test, accompanied by heartfelt messages. He expressed his unwavering belief that Paiz would be an "amazing mom," a sentiment that underscores the supportive partnership she has found.
From ACE Family to a New Foundation
To understand the gravity of this new chapter, one must look back at the one that just closed. For years, Catherine Paiz was one-half of The ACE Family, a YouTube channel that amassed a colossal following and defined an era of family vlogging. Alongside her former husband, Austin McBroom, she built an empire, sharing every facet of their lives and the lives of their three children:
- Elle
- Alaïa
- Steel
While the channel brought immense success, it also came with the relentless pressure of public scrutiny and the need to constantly perform. Paiz's recent reflections offer a poignant look behind that polished curtain. She has spoken of feeling “empty” in her recent past, a stark admission that the picture-perfect life presented online did not equate to inner peace. Her new relationship with Igor Ten stands in powerful contrast to that experience.
Her description of her current state—feeling safe and fulfilled—is the emotional core of her transformation. It speaks to a deeper sense of security and contentment that transcends public validation. This pregnancy, therefore, is not just the creation of a new life but the physical manifestation of Paiz's own rebirth. It symbolizes a move from a partnership built for an audience to one built for personal sanctuary.
The Modern Matriarch: Motherhood at 35 and Beyond
Catherine Paiz’s pregnancy at 35 also places her at the center of a significant cultural conversation about the shifting timelines of motherhood. Her journey resonates with a growing demographic of women who are choosing to have children later in life, prioritizing personal growth, career establishment, and finding the right partner before starting or expanding their families. This is not just an anecdotal trend; it's a statistical reality.
Recent data reveals a clear demographic shift. In the United States, the average age of mothers at their first birth has climbed by almost a full year between 2016 and 2023. This reflects a broader societal move away from the rigid, traditional timelines of the past. Women are increasingly authoring their own life stories, and motherhood is a chapter that they are choosing to write when it feels authentic to them, not when society dictates it should happen.
Paiz’s story is a high-profile example of this evolution. Having already experienced motherhood in her twenties, her return to it in her mid-thirties comes with a different lens—one of experience, self-awareness, and emotional maturity. This isn't her first time at the rodeo, but it is the first time she is entering this phase from her current state of hard-won peace and fulfillment. It sends a powerful message that the journey to building a family is not linear and that new beginnings are possible at any age.
A Public Journey on Her Own Terms
As she embarks on this new journey, Paiz has promised to share updates, but the chosen medium is as telling as the message itself. By announcing she will use platforms like Snapchat, she is signaling a shift in how she intends to engage with her audience. The ephemeral, less-polished nature of Snapchat stands in stark contrast to the highly edited, long-form vlogs that defined The ACE Family era.
This suggests a desire for a more direct, intimate, and controlled form of storytelling. She is moving away from the constant content machine of family vlogging and toward a more personal diary format. It allows her to share her experience without the pressure of producing a spectacle. She is no longer just a character in a sprawling family narrative; she is the sole narrator of her own story, sharing what she wants, when she wants.
This pregnancy marks the ultimate convergence of Catherine Paiz’s past and future. It honors her role as a loving mother to her three older children while celebrating the new life and new love she has found with Igor Ten. It is a testament to her resilience and her capacity for reinvention. As the world watches, she is not just preparing to welcome a new baby; she is stepping fully into a new identity—one that is authentic, empowered, and beautifully, surprisingly her own.
