Relationships on the internet are weird. One day you’re watching a couple build a life together through a 16:9 lens, and the next, they’re posting "addressing the rumors" videos from separate apartments. That's exactly what happened with Karol Priscilla and Ryan Taylor.
If you were deep in the YouTube world around 2017 and 2018, you probably remember them. They were the ultimate "it" couple of a very specific niche—the intersection of BMX culture and lifestyle vlogging. He was the reckless British BMX pro known for pranks and jumping off things he shouldn't; she was the stunning Latina influencer who brought a sense of groundedness to his chaotic energy.
Then, it all went sideways.
The Rise and Fall of the Karol Priscilla and Ryan Taylor Era
The relationship wasn't just a casual thing. It was intense. Ryan Taylor, who grew up in Walsall, England, had already built a massive reputation in the BMX world before transitionining into a full-time YouTuber. When he started appearing with Karol, fans were hooked. They looked like a power couple.
In 2017, they took the leap and got engaged.
By August 2018, they welcomed their son, Knoxx Mateo. At that point, it seemed like they were set. But the cracks were already showing, and for anyone paying close attention to the logistics of their life, the red flags were everywhere.
The Visa Disaster
Honestly, the messiest part of the Karol Priscilla and Ryan Taylor story wasn't even the relationship itself—it was the legalities. Ryan was trying to live in the United States while Karol was there, but he reportedly struggled with visa issues.
There’s a lot of talk on old Reddit threads and fan forums about how he tried to stay in the U.S. on an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization). For the uninitiated, an ESTA is for tourists. You can't just live and work in the country on one indefinitely.
The stress of potential deportation and the inability to stay with his newborn son and fiancée created a pressure cooker. It’s hard to keep a relationship healthy when one person is constantly fighting the government to stay in the same ZIP code as the other.
What Really Happened When They Split?
By the end of 2018, it was over. The breakup felt abrupt to some, but for others, it was the inevitable conclusion of a very turbulent year.
They both released videos. Karol’s "my side of the story" video became a bit of a legend in her community before it was eventually taken down or made private. In these moments, the "human" element of being a creator really shows. You have two people trying to navigate a breakup while thousands of strangers demand to know why.
They did the right thing by stating publicly that they would co-parent Knoxx. But the transition from a couple to co-parents wasn't exactly seamless. Ryan eventually moved back to the UK, and Karol stayed in the U.S. to raise their son.
Life After the Breakup: The Karol Priscilla Rebrand
If you look at Karol Priscilla now, she’s not just "Ryan Taylor's ex." She has completely carved out her own space.
She transitioned from general beauty and lifestyle content into the golf world. It’s a huge shift, but it worked. She’s now known as a "Latina Golf Influencer," merging fitness, fashion, and sport.
- Golf Content: She shares swings, tips, and "get ready with me" videos for the course.
- Motherhood: She’s been very open about the struggles of being a single mom and balancing a career.
- Modeling: She continues to work with various brands, leveraging her 300k+ followers.
She seems happier. Or at least, more in control of her narrative.
Where is Ryan Taylor Now?
Ryan didn't stay single for long, and his love life continued to make headlines. He famously got engaged to DJ Cuppy (Florence Otedola), the daughter of Nigerian billionaire Femi Otedola, in late 2022.
That relationship also ended, which sparked a whole new wave of interest in his past with Karol. People started comparing the two relationships, wondering if the same patterns were repeating. It’s a common thing for fans to do, but it usually ignores the fact that people change over nearly a decade.
The Knoxx Mateo Factor
At the heart of the Karol Priscilla and Ryan Taylor story is their son, Knoxx.
Co-parenting across an ocean is nearly impossible. Ryan has spoken in the past about the difficulty of being away from his son, and Karol has shared the "burnout" that comes with being the primary parent while maintaining a high-profile social media career.
It’s the part of the influencer life that isn't glamorous. There are no ring lights for the late-night tantrums or the logistical headaches of international visitation schedules.
Why Do We Still Care?
People still search for them because their story represents a specific moment in internet history. It was a time when YouTube "vlog squads" and couple channels were the biggest thing on the planet.
We saw them get engaged. We saw the pregnancy announcement. We saw the baby. When a relationship like that ends, it leaves the audience with a sense of "unfinished business."
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Moving Forward: Lessons from the Karol-Ryan Era
If there is anything to take away from the saga of Karol Priscilla and Ryan Taylor, it's that "Instagram goals" are rarely the full reality.
- Legal stuff matters: If you're in a cross-border relationship, sort the visas before the kids. It sounds boring, but it’s the foundation of everything else.
- Privacy is a choice: Karol’s move toward more professional, niche content (golf) shows that you can pivot away from "relationship drama" and still have a successful career.
- Co-parenting is work: It’s not just a caption on a post; it’s a daily commitment that requires putting ego aside.
Karol is busy hitting fairways and raising a son. Ryan is still doing his thing in the UK and beyond. The "couple" may be gone, but the individuals are doing just fine on their own.
If you're following Karol's journey now, the best thing you can do is support her current ventures in the golf and fitness space rather than dwelling on 2018. Check out her latest vlogs to see how she’s navigated the "mom-life" balance—it's actually pretty insightful for anyone trying to build a career while raising a kid solo.