Ariana Biermann Celebrates Birthday Amid Fresh Breakup
Ariana Biermann, star of Next Gen NYC, recently marked her 24th birthday just days after announcing her split from longtime boyfriend Hudson McLeroy. “Thank you for all the birthday wishes,” Biermann shared on Instagram alongside a photo of herself blowing out birthday candles. Her celebration came at a bittersweet moment as she navigates this significant life transition, expressing gratitude for those who celebrated with her and acknowledging feeling “blessed to see another year.” The reality star’s birthday festivities represent a fresh start during what has clearly been a challenging period of personal change.
The young couple publicly confirmed their breakup just days before Ariana’s birthday, with both sharing heartfelt statements on social media. Ariana initiated the announcement, writing, “Hudson and I have decided to go our separate ways. While these things are never easy, we both know it’s what’s best for us right now.” She expressed appreciation for fans’ support throughout their relationship, adding the philosophical note that “Sometimes, life takes you in different directions and that’s OK.” McLeroy followed with his own perspective the next day, emphasizing that he “still and always will love Ariana,” crediting her for supporting him through difficult times, while acknowledging personal healing he needs to undertake independently. Their thoughtful statements suggest a mutual, though difficult, decision.
The breakup has prompted immediate practical changes, as Ariana revealed she was moving into her first solo apartment in New York City. “Today is moving day, again,” she shared in a video posted October 16th. “I’m moving into my own apartment… First ever apartment in New York City. I’m the sole person on the lease. I’m excited, but also a very bittersweet thing.” The move marks a significant milestone in her independence journey, particularly meaningful as she and McLeroy had only relocated together to Manhattan in July 2024 as part of their participation in Next Gen NYC. Meanwhile, McLeroy appears to have left New York entirely, posting from Atlanta, Georgia just days before Ariana’s birthday celebration, suggesting a complete geographical separation for the former couple.
Their relationship journey had been documented on Bravo’s Next Gen NYC, which followed the high school sweethearts during their first year living in Manhattan. Interestingly, Ariana had previously expressed concerns about showcasing their relationship on television, telling Us Weekly, “It’s a little nerve-wracking bringing somebody onto a TV show with you and putting your whole relationship out for the world to see.” Her foresight proved accurate as she acknowledged the potential challenges: “We’re very young, you never know. I feel like it would suck to have to watch that back if we weren’t together.” This vulnerability about their relationship in the public eye adds another dimension to their recent separation, as they now face processing their breakup with the added complexity of having shared their love story with viewers.
Beyond her romantic relationship, the show also highlighted Ariana’s reconnection with childhood friend Riley Burruss, daughter of The Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kandi Burruss. This friendship renewal carries particular significance given the history between their mothers—Ariana’s mom Kim Zolciak and Riley’s mother Kandi had a notable falling out during their time on RHOA. The young women expressed pride in demonstrating how they could forge their own relationship independent of their mothers’ drama. “I’m so happy we can show the world that it doesn’t matter when you stop being somebody’s friend or what happens between your families—you can still pick up and have a friendship outside of all the bulls***,” Ariana told Us Weekly, with Riley adding that despite initial nervousness, they “became best friends in two hours.”
As Ariana embraces her 24th year, she faces a time of significant transition—establishing herself independently in New York, navigating the end of a meaningful relationship, and building new friendships while in the public eye. Her birthday celebration serves as both an ending and a beginning, symbolizing her resilience during personal change. For viewers who followed her relationship on Next Gen NYC, the breakup represents the reality of young love and the challenges of growing up in the spotlight. Meanwhile, her friendship with Riley offers a positive counternarrative about moving beyond family legacies and creating authentic connections. As Ariana steps into this new chapter, she embodies both vulnerability and strength, qualities that have endeared her to fans who will undoubtedly continue following her journey of self-discovery in the big city.
