The early 2000s brought about the beginnings of the social media boom with websites like MySpace and subsequently Facebook gaining popularity. Since then, platforms like Instagram and TikTok have made significant strides, allowing for an expansion of the types of content that creators post. As the realm of content stretches its legs, communities have begun to grow online as like-minded people - with similar algorithms - are led to one another, enabling them to share their stories, uplift each other, and combat the forces against them.

One such influencer who has found solace in the online LGBTQIA+ community is Jesse Sullivan, a trans creator who has publicly shared his journey on social media. TheThings talked with Jesse about his rise to social media fame, his experience with parenthood, and his relationship with reality tv star, Francesca (Frankie) Farago.

When Jesse Met Frankie

For those readers who are familiar with Francesca, you'll likely recognize her from her time on Netflix's Too Hot to Handle, or more recently, Perfect Match. With an Instagram following of over 6 million individuals, Francesca has become quite the celebrity.

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Yet, upon meeting her, now-boyfriend, Jesse - who is not an avid viewer of reality television - had no idea who she was.

"We met back in 2021. It was basically 13 people inn the category of LGBTQIA+ who blazed trails on TikTok that year, so you get nominated, and after I got nominated I got interviewed by a celebrity... We had to practice for hours the day before the live [show] and it happened to be FRancesca who was the interviewer. Instantly when I saw her I thought, "oh my god who is this"... I was mesmerized by her beauty and how sweet she was."

After their chance encounter, Francesca direct messaged (DM'd) Jesse on Instagram and the pair began their long-distance courtship through video and phone calls.

A fast and furious love, Jesse and Francesca's relationship has received support and admiration not only online, but at home with Jesse's teen, Arlo. Jesse tells us about the heart-warming relationship Arlo has built with Francesca.

"Arlo is my toughest critic when it comes to me dating. With Fran there's a huge difference I noticed quickly... Francesca cracks Arlo up... Sometimes when people come into my life they try to baby Arlo, so Fran was really good at treating them like an equal. Now Arlo just sees us as a family."

As we began discussing the topic of family, we had to ask Jesse: are wedding bells going to be ringing in the near future?

"There is a ring currently in the process of being designed. I have been planning it all the way back since last August."

Now, Jesse did give us a timeline, but just in case you're reading, Francesca, we're going to keep that under wraps. Let's just say we might propose you should sure your nails are engagement ready over the next few months.

Jesse's Thoughts On 'Perfect Match'

While Jesse and Francesca have proven to be a perfect match, the online community became hysterical as the first season of Netflix's Perfect Match aired in February of 2023.

Speculators began to wonder about the timeline of Jesse and Francesca's relationship, accusing the two of having been dating while Francesca was in Panama filming the show. Jesse set the record straight, telling us,

"Me and Francesca broke up for a while when she got deported to Canada and I was in LA...it was just so hard because there was no date when she could come back to LA, it could've been in a year. When we did breakup she got her visa and came back to LA... but she already knew she was going to be on the show, so she kept her distance... She did the show and the second she had her phone back she texted me and asked if I was still single... The second she came back it was like, "we're in love, we're exclusive." A lot of good came from [her doing the show]."

TL;DR, no, Francesca and Jesse were not together during the filming of Perfect Match. And despite the persistence of the Internet trolls to paint Jesse as disappointed by his partner's reality show appearance, Jesse tells us when the show's trailer aired, rather than storm out of the house as some speculated, he went and bought Francesca roses.

Oh, and if you're curious about the couple's relationship with Francesca's Perfect Match cast member and ex-match, Dom Gabriel, Jesse says,

"I met Dom at the premiere, and we just hit it off. He's a cool guy, I don't really care what happened on the show... He was instantly my friend, no weirdness."

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Jesse's Rise To Influencer Status

Before there was Francesca, there was Jesse and Arlo, a mother-child pair who took to social media to share their experience as a queer, single-parent family. Having gained recognition on Tumblr, Twitter, and Instagram, Jesse began to grow his following as people from around the globe flocked to his page.

Eventually, Jesse came out to his followers and began his transition.

"It was one hundred times more difficult than I anticipated. I never expected it to be as hard and to get as much hate as I have but I have this thing inside of me that knows I'm doing what I should do."

While inundated with hateful, vicious comments from those who choose not to be open-minded, Jesse continues to stay positive, hoping to educate those folks by continuing to be vulnerable and focusing his attention on those individuals who thank him for sharing his experience as it's helped them through their own.

"I've had so many stories along the lines of, "I'm 13-years-old and didn't think I was going to make it much longer but watching you and Arlo has changed my life"... it's the thing that keeps me going... There's not even words I can say that can describe how much they have helped me. Every trans person is going to tell you that it's not easy. The process you go through with family members and friends, you're going through physical changes, your emotions can be all over the place, but you're also doing something you've wanted to do your entire life."

As our interview concluded, we asked Jesse to share more about his mission and how we, as allies, can help to further the message.

"I hope to accomplish not only solidarity and comfort for people who are queer, but also to change the minds of people who don't understand me... I really believe if they understood me and other trans people - or any gender non-conforming people - it would change things... There's always donating to organizations and signing petitions... If you see a trans person being disrespected online, leave that comment... be respectful of pronouns, support them when others don't. There are a lot of ways to be an ally."

Along with Jesse and those in the LGBTQIA+ community, we hope to see changes that only continue to better and heal the world. Educate, learn, act.