When Nova Hawthorne and her sugar daddy James first met he was paying for bills, extravagant dinners and luxe weekend getaways.
But the pair flipped the script – the 63-year-old quit his high-flying job as a business development consultant and is now Nova’s assistant.
The Aussie couple with a 33-year age difference met on a sugar daddy website in 2019 and had a ‘typical sugar relationship’ whereby James paid for all the expenses.
Their bond quickly grew deeper after the two moved in together when Nova was having issues with her landlord.
Now five years on, the Melbourne couple are in love and keep their relationship private.
Friends and family have been supportive despite the age difference – and Nova is in James’ will.
‘When I first met James my main income came from dancing in strip clubs, escort work, and sugaring,’ Nova said, who’s an online sex worker.
‘Our dates were meticulously planned by James, often involving elaborate experiences like dining at restaurants offering full vegan degustation menus with paired wines.
Nova Hawthorne and James met in 2019 in a sugar daddy website but it didn’t take long for their relationship to blossom
‘He would also arrange luxurious weekend getaways complete with spa treatments. Our dates were always centred around enjoying each other’s company in an atmosphere of comfort and indulgence, with good food and great wine.’
Nova, 30, told FEMAIL the pair quickly realised they had something more than an ‘arrangement’ after moving in together.
‘James kindly said I could stay until I finished my university degree. Pretty quickly, it just started to feel like two people who like each other living together,’ she said.
‘When our relationship transitioned from a sugar arrangement to a traditional dating dynamic in 2019, our financial dynamic naturally had to change,’ she added.
While the ‘allowance’ arrangement ceased, James continued to pay for all Nova’s expenses – including her phone bill, beauty upkeep, hair appointments, nails, dining out, entertainment and shopping.
‘During this time, I continued to work as a dancer in a club, earning my own money, while James ensured that all my bills were paid. This new financial dynamic allowed us to support each other in different ways,’ she continued.
James financially supported Nova’s business ventures by investing a staggering $400,000 to purchase an investment property for adult streamers and content creators to film in.
Within a couple years, Nova was earning more than $300,000 which meant James could step away from his career to join her company.
Now he’s her ‘right-hand man’ and acts as the content editor, business liaison, scheduling assistant, photographer and videographer.
‘This change means that I am not only the higher earner but also responsible for paying his wages,’ Nova said.
‘This shift has brought new dynamics to our relationship. As the roles have reversed, we’ve had to navigate and redefine our relationship boundaries and expectations.
‘The most significant change has been in our communication and partnership. We’ve had open and honest discussions about our financial roles and how they impact our personal and professional lives.’
