It’s not often that a 90 Day Fiancé cast member is beloved by fans, but Juliana Custodio de Sousa seems to be the exception. The 90 Day Fiancé season 7 star’s journey with Michael Jessen wasn't easy, but it did end at the altar. Despite multiple visa denials and the pressure of pleasing Michael’s family, Juliana managed to marry her true love. Michael and Juliana are enjoying a happily ever after experience and it's time to learn about the Brazilian 90 Day Fiancé star’s life and times, before and after the K-1 visa.
When 42-year-old wine entrepreneur Michael spoke about getting his 23-year-old fiancé to America, many TLC fans predicted a doomed relationship. 90 Day Fiancé’s Michael, a seasoned traveler, had met Juliana at a big yacht party that his friend had thrown in Croatia. The Connecticut-based Michael (who didn’t really believe in love at first sight) felt that he and Juliana Custodio were kindred spirits. Upon getting to know the beauty, Michael soon realized how funny, thoughtful, and smart she is. Her attributes are something that 90 Day Fiancé fans keep getting a glimpse of every day via her social media. Meanwhile, Michael didn’t care that he would be judged for being “the old sleazy rich guy” who was going after “the young hot woman.” This is because he trusted their connection. However, a couple of hiccups cropped up, regarding Juliana allegedly wanting a visa for “nefarious intentions.” Another issue is that Michael’s ex-wife Sarah was seemingly skeptical about Juliana's motives. By the season finale, Juliana had won Sarah and her two kids over. Sarah officiated Michael and Juliana's wedding. Now, fans want to know 90 Day Fiancé’s Juliana’s background and what she's up to.
As mentioned by Michael on 90 Day Fiancé, Juliana came from humble beginnings. She was born on September 6 in Amazonia, in very impoverished surroundings, and she barely had any education. The TLC star Juliana was working with her mom and sister as a seamstress, but along with that, was a “naturally beautiful woman.” This, as Michael adds, leads to Juliana getting discovered by a modeling agency. Upon Michael’s confession that he allowed Juliana to use his credit cards, many TLC fans accused her of using him for wealth. Some viewers felt that he was taking advantage of a woman 18 years his junior. In the end, 90 Day Fiancé's Michael and Juliana clearly proved everyone wrong. See the happy couple below:
It was also later revealed by Juliana that she’d once slept in a room full of chickens and that she worked as a child while growing up. The Things notes how, at just 8 years of age, Juliana was employed at a sweatshop and was a victim of “exploitation and human trafficking as a child.” In a post by @themodelmanifesto, as reposted by Michael on his Michael Jessen Instagram, it was reported that 8-year-old Juliana was sent to model in China. She was kidnapped by her agency “to lose weight,” and in spite of working “three jobs per day for a month, never received any of the money she earned.” However, the 90 Day Fiancé star grew up to become a successful model, who was “supporting her entire family” by staying in Europe. See a very young Juliana below:
Juliana, who dreamed of becoming a doctor, is now associated with modeling agencies such as The Society Management and Time Model International. Women Management notes that the 90 Day Fiancé star’s height is 5 feet 9 and a half inches and that she has naturally dark brown hair and brown eyes. While Michael and Juliana do not have any children yet, she had hinted at adopting her 6-year-old niece and her 8-year-old nephew from Brazil and bringing them to America. However, the children, who reportedly are in “dire straits” back home, haven’t been adopted yet due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Juliana once said that she wants “2” babies of her own with Michael. See Juliana in a bikini below:
Currently, Juliana lives in Greenwich, Connecticut with Michael. She spends time with his kids Max and CeCe, his ex Sarah, and her husband Sean Naso. The 90 Day Fiancé star is also supposedly studying for her GED, which would certainly better her chances of getting work in the United States. It may have been a difficult childhood for Juliana, but with Michael by her side, the young Brazilian beauty is certainly reaching for the stars!
90 Day Fiancé season 8 airs Mondays at 8 pm ET on TLC.
Source: Michael Jessen/Instagram, Juliana Custodio/Instagram