A couple with an age gap of 33 years has defended their relationship after being subjected to widespread mockery and condemnation on social media.
In 2018, Nicole Downs joined the popular dating app Tinder in the hopes of finding her love-at-first-swipe. Aged 18 at the time, Nicole matched with Michael, a then 51-year-old man who also lived in the US state of Michigan.
Despite their 33-year age difference, Nicole took Michael up on his offer and the two met for a date, which quickly progressed into a full-fledged relationship.
Four years later the couple are still going strong, with the two frequently sharing snippets of their seemingly happy partnership on social media. Nicole currently has over 640,000 followers on TikTok, where she often comments on the realities of age-gap relationships and showcases her lifestyle as a self-proclaimed "stay-at-home girlfriend" with a "sugar daddy".
But their romance has proved controversial, with the commentary on their relationship ranging from supportive to savage. While the naysayers often question Nicole's intentions, branding her a "gold digger", others have criticised Michael for pursuing a then-teenager, with some likening it to grooming.
"I legit thought he was your grandpa," one user has commented on her content, with a second adding: "He looks like a child groomer."
"This is so sad, she is clearly using him," another weighed in, with a fourth writing: "Poor guy literally only being used for money, he deserves someone who actually appreciates him and wants him for him... he deserves more."
"I don't think the age gap is the issue, it's the fact you were freshly 18 [at the time]," another opined.
Despite the backlash, Nicole has continued to flaunt her romance and clap back at critics in a bid to prove the age-old mantra, 'age is just a number'.
"I couldn't imagine my life if we never met," Nicole shared in one clip. "We started dating in 2018, living together for 3.5 years. We have one cat, Grizzy, together.
"We also have a 33-year age gap. We're happy together despite what other people might think."
She has also continued to shares insights into their dynamic, with Michael often taking her on shopping sprees, out for expensive dinners and funding her regular beauty treatments. In one clip, she admitted a perk of her relationship is that she's "not expected to do any work".
In another clip, she showed off the results of a BBL - a dangerous surgical procedure known as a Brazilian butt lift - that Michael had funded.
But the constant criticism can inevitably get under their skin at times, with Nicole admitting one of the comments she finds most challenging is when strangers assume he is her father - or even grandfather.
"You can't date a 50-year-old without people thinking it's your dad," she said. "But no, that's my man."
She has also shared that the start of their flirtation was marked by Michael showering her with lavish dates and romantic holidays, with the then-51-year-old whisking her away to Puerto Rico after just a handful of dates. Their first meeting also saw Michael spend US$800 on food and drinks, she claimed.
Despite initially being concerned about how her family would react to her age-gap relationship, Nicole said her mother has been supportive since the beginning, even revealing she had taken a romantic vacation with an older man when she was her daughter's age.
And the criticism is offset by messages of support, with many of the couple's fans and followers offering their encouragement, urging the pair to ignore the cynics.
"You guys are so cute, I'm really invested in this," one said, with another adding: "They're both consenting adults, age shouldn't be an issue - and you are adorable together."
According to Nicole, Michael has never married and doesn't have children, but the pair see a bright future together.