In the late 2000s, you couldn't turn on a TV or walk past a newsstand without seeing them. Kat Von D and Nikki Sixx. It was the ultimate goth-glamour power couple. He was the legendary bassist for Mötley Crüe, a man who had survived everything the 80s threw at him, and she was the breakout star of LA Ink, a woman who was single-handedly making tattoo culture mainstream.
They looked like they belonged on top of a wedding cake made of black velvet and leather.
But then, it just... stopped.
The relationship between Kat Von D and Nikki Sixx lasted roughly two years, from 2008 to 2010. While it might seem like a lifetime ago in the fast-moving world of celebrity gossip, the impact they had on each other—and the way it ended—still fascinates people. Honestly, it wasn't just another Hollywood fling. It was a collision of two very intense, very creative people who were both trying to navigate sobriety and massive fame at the same time.
The Honeymoon Phase: "The Most Fruitful Relationship"
When they first got together in early 2008, it seemed like a match made in heaven. Or at least in a very high-end tattoo studio. Kat was 25 or 26; Nikki was 49. Despite the age gap, they shared a deep connection over art, music, and recovery.
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Nikki even appeared on an episode of LA Ink in 2008. If you remember that episode, Kat tattooed a portrait of Mick Mars (Nikki’s Mötley Crüe bandmate) on his leg. It was an intimate moment caught on camera, and the chemistry was undeniable.
Kat didn't hold back when talking about him to the press. In 2009, she told Fox News that it was the "most fruitful relationship" she’d ever had. They weren't just partying. In fact, they weren't partying at all. They were reading self-help books together. Kat mentioned they were big fans of The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz and A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle.
They were basically trying to be the healthiest version of themselves. They were two former "wild children" trying to find some peace.
Why the Kat Von D and Nikki Sixx Romance Fizzled Out
So, what went wrong? By January 2010, the cracks were showing. Nikki Sixx released a statement on his MySpace page (yeah, that's how long ago this was) saying they were taking a break. He was classy about it. He called her "Katherine" and said she had "loved and inspired the hell outta me."
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But "taking a break" usually means the end.
The real drama started a few months later. In late 2010, Kat moved on to Jesse James, the motorcycle mogul who had just gone through a very messy, very public divorce from Sandra Bullock.
Nikki wasn't exactly thrilled.
He told photographers at the time that it was "hard" to see her move on so quickly, especially after being told he was the "love of her life." It’s that classic post-breakup sting. You think you’re both mourning, and then you see your ex on the news with someone else.
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The Factors That Pulled Them Apart
- Public Scrutiny: Both admitted that being in the limelight made it nearly impossible to have a "normal" relationship.
- Intensity: They were both high-energy, creative types. Sometimes two fires just burn each other out.
- Timing: Nikki was focusing on his family and his radio show, Sixx Sense, while Kat’s career with Sephora and her TV show was exploding.
Where Are They Now?
A lot has changed since 2010. Nikki Sixx eventually found lasting love with Courtney Bingham. They got married in 2014 and have a daughter together. Nikki seems more settled than ever, living the life of a rock elder statesman who's traded the chaos for photography and family.
Kat Von D’s path has been even more transformative. After a string of high-profile relationships (Jesse James, Deadmau5), she married artist Rafael Reyes in 2018. They have a son, Leafar.
Perhaps the biggest surprise for fans has been Kat’s recent lifestyle shift. She’s moved to Indiana, closed her famous tattoo shop, and publicly shared her journey toward Christianity. The woman Nikki Sixx dated in 2009—the one reading A New Earth and filming reality TV in Hollywood—is a world away from the Kat Von D of today.
Lessons from a High-Profile Breakup
If you're looking for a takeaway from the Kat Von D and Nikki Sixx era, it’s that "perfect on paper" doesn't always mean "perfect for life." They shared a lot of common ground, but they were in different seasons of their lives.
If you're going through a breakup where your ex moved on faster than you expected, take a page out of Nikki's later handbook: focus on your own growth and your own "family," whatever that looks like for you.
How to Move On Like a Pro
- Stop the Public Commentary: Nikki eventually stopped talking about Kat in the press, which is the only way to truly heal.
- Focus on Your Craft: Both used the pain of their breakup to fuel their work—Nikki with Sixx:A.M. and Kat with her art.
- Accept the "Season": Some people are meant to be in your life for a season of growth, not for the whole journey.
The Kat and Nikki era was a specific moment in pop culture history—a mix of eyeliner, ink, and early-internet drama. It didn't last, but it definitely left a mark.