Hollywood is a weird place where a single afternoon at the beach can turn into a decade-long mystery. You've probably seen the name Catherine Paiz pop up whenever people talk about Michael B. Jordan and his dating life. It’s one of those internet artifacts that refuses to go away.
Honestly, the "Michael B. Jordan and Catherine" saga is basically a masterclass in how fans can turn a grainy paparazzi photo into a full-blown cinematic universe. But what’s the real story? Did they actually date, or was it just two people enjoying the Miami sun before their careers absolutely exploded?
The 2014 Miami Sighting That Started It All
Let’s go back to January 2014. Michael B. Jordan was just coming off the massive success of Fruitvale Station. He wasn't quite the "Creed" or "Killmonger" superstar we know today, but he was definitely the "next big thing."
He was spotted on a beach in Miami with a then-model named Catherine Paiz. The photos were exactly what you’d expect: two attractive people looking "cozy," as the tabloids like to say. They weren't making out or holding a press conference about their undying love, but they looked comfortable.
At the time, Catherine wasn't the social media powerhouse she is now. This was before the ACE Family, before the YouTube millions, and before her high-profile marriage to Austin McBroom. She was just Catherine, a model trying to make it, and he was the rising star.
Why the Rumor Still Lives in 2026
You’d think a beach trip from twelve years ago would be buried. It’s not. In fact, it's gained a second life recently because of Catherine’s memoir, Dolores: My Journey Home, which dropped in 2025.
In the book, Catherine mentions an actor ex she refers to as "Kire." Internet sleuths—who basically have PhDs in celebrity tracking—immediately pointed the finger at Michael. Why? Because "Kire" is just a letter away from "Erik," the name of Jordan's iconic Black Panther character, Erik Killmonger. Or maybe it’s just a random nickname.
When asked about it point-blank in a July 2025 interview with TooFab, Catherine didn’t confirm or deny it. She just said, "It doesn't matter who's who. It really doesn't. It's a story."
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That’s basically celebrity-speak for "I’m going to let you keep talking about this because it helps book sales." It’s smart. It’s also incredibly frustrating if you’re looking for a straight answer.
The Viral "Ignoring" Incident
Then there’s the 2021 basketball game. This is the "evidence" people love to cite on TikTok. Catherine was at a game with her husband, Austin McBroom, and Michael B. Jordan was sitting just a few seats away.
Fans caught a clip where Catherine seemingly ignores Michael entirely. No nod. No "hey, how’s it going?" Just a cold shoulder. Of course, the internet decided this was proof of a messy breakup from years prior.
Or, you know, maybe she just didn't see him? Or maybe it’s weird to talk to your rumored ex while your husband is sitting right there?
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The Lori Harvey Factor
It’s also worth noting that Michael B. Jordan's most public relationship was with Lori Harvey. They were everywhere from late 2020 until mid-2022. That relationship was so public—Instagram official, red carpets, the whole deal—that it made his past "maybe-relationships" like the one with Catherine look like footnotes.
Since the Lori breakup, Michael has been pretty vocal about being single. Even at the 2026 Golden Globes just a few days ago, he was cracking jokes about his dating life—or lack thereof. He actually brought his mom, Donna Jordan, as his date.
Nikki Glaser, the host, even made a pretty raunchy joke about him playing twins in his new movie Sinners, which led to his mom giving a viral eye-roll. If he were secretly seeing someone like Catherine again (which some conspiracy theorists claim), he probably wouldn't be leaning so hard into the "guy who brings his mom to work" vibe.
Michael B. Jordan and Catherine: The Reality Check
Look, here is what we actually know for sure:
- They were together on a beach in 2014.
- Neither of them ever officially confirmed a relationship.
- Catherine is now a mother of three and recently divorced from Austin McBroom.
- Michael B. Jordan is currently focused on his "Acting Icon" era, fresh off a win for Sinners.
There is zero concrete evidence that they are in contact today. The "Kire" character in Catherine's book is the closest thing we have to a "link," and even that is speculative. Catherine has built an entire brand on her personal life, while Michael has spent the last decade trying to keep his private life behind a curtain. They are on two completely different wavelengths.
What This Tells Us About Celebrity Culture
The obsession with Michael B. Jordan and Catherine Paiz is really about our desire to connect dots that might not even be there. We want there to be a secret history. We want the "one that got away" narrative.
But sometimes, a beach day is just a beach day.
If you're looking for the "actionable" takeaway here, it’s this: don’t believe everything you see in a 15-second TikTok edit with sad music. Celebrity memoirs are designed to be vague to generate buzz, and old paparazzi photos are just snapshots of a moment, not a lifetime.
Moving Forward in 2026
Michael B. Jordan is currently at the peak of his career. Between his work on Sinners and his growing production empire, he's busy. Catherine is navigating a high-profile divorce and a successful book launch.
If they did have a thing back in the day, it’s clearly ancient history to them.
Next Steps for the Curious:
- Read the book: If you want to judge for yourself, check out Dolores: My Journey Home. Look for the chapters on her early modeling days in Miami and see if the "Kire" details actually line up with Michael’s life at that time.
- Watch the Interviews: Look at Catherine’s 2025 interview with TooFab. Her body language says a lot more than her words do when Michael's name comes up.
- Ignore the "Shippers": Fans on X and TikTok will always try to pair them up. Stick to the facts: they haven't been seen in the same room—willingly—in years.