A man in his 40s and a woman in her 20s led 90 Day Fiancé fans to have mixed opinions about season 7 couple Michael Jessen and Juliana Custodio. While the pair had a smoother journey to the aisle compared to most other TLC pairs, Juliana’s intentions were met with doubt, and Michael was declared selfish. However, this 90 Day Fiancé pair proved everyone wrong by living their best life off-screen, and yes, still staying happily married.
Michael, 42, from Greenwich, Connecticut, introduced himself as a self-employed wine entrepreneur on 90 Day Fiancé. His high-flying lifestyle had helped Michael meet Juliana in July 2017 who was a 23-year-old model from Goiania, Brazil. Although Michael first saw her “beautiful, amazing body” at the lavish yacht party in Croatia, he soon felt like the former seamstress was his kindred spirit. But Juliana getting denied her tourist visa twice after allegedly being accused of “nefarious intentions” made Michael get her to America on a K-1 visa instead. Michael was rumored to have spent $150k on his 90 Day Fiancé by giving her his credit card, while his ex-wife back home, Sarah Jessen was shown wary of Juliana and her future with their kids. Michael accused TLC of adding unnecessary drama in his life by amplifying a feud between his ex and Juliana that didn’t exist. And the couple easily tried the knot at a grand ceremony with Sarah, and kids Max, 8, and Cece, 6, present for support. In fact, it was Sarah who also officiated the 90 Day Fiancé stars’ wedding, thus shutting down all the nasty speculations.
Photos of Juliana and Michael's wedding day on October 12, 2019, got leaked online but the 90 Day Fiancé episode aired in February. Michael had then shared the pictures officially on Instagram captioning the post with, “No longer the worst kept secret of #90DayFiancé season 7.” In April, the two spoke to ET to announce that they were quarantining together like the “Brady Bunch” with the kids, Sarah and her new husband Sean in the same house. The Connecticut couple had also hinted at their baby-making making plans as they continue to co-parent Max and Cece. "Sarah would love for us to have a baby because also, she would feel very motherly too," Michael had added. Michael and Juliana seem to really love kids, since they also had plans of adopting her niece and nephew from Brazil in December 2019. The 90 Day Fiancé duo started legal processes for the adoption of the children who were in “dire straits” but the COVID-19 situation has currently put a hold on their plans.
But there’s no stopping the newlyweds from mingling with their 90 Day Fiancé co-stars as Michael and Juliana were recently seen hanging out with Jasmin Lahtinen and Blake Abelard in California for dinner. They’re also close friends with Tania Maduro and Syngin Colchester in hometown Connecticut and are often spotted sipping wine and beer after having spent the Super Bowl weekend together. Juliana is currently seen promoting Michael’s wine brand Licataa, and will soon be a part of what looks like a music video collaboration with recording artist and Sarah’s husband Sean Naso as per her Instagram. A few days ago, Michael and Juliana also marked a milestone in their 90 Day Fiancé journey by completing one year of marriage. “You are my love, my guiding light, and my dearest friend in life,” penned Michael in the sweet Instagram post for Juliana.
Interestingly, one of the hashtags used by Michael was also “#sorryhatersanddoubters” sending out a strong message to all those who thought their relationship wouldn’t last. Juliana becoming best friends with Sarah and fitting perfectly into the blended family proved that their reality TV relationship was not as dramatic as the genuine one they live off-screen. No wonder TLC fans now want to see Michael and Juliana in more 90 Day Fiancé spin-offs, just like David and Annie or Loren and Alexei.
Source: ET, Michael Jessen/Instagram, Juliana Custodio/Instagram