90 Day Fiance couple Michael Jessen and Juliana Custodio de Sousa have been shown about to marry on the show's most recent Season 7 episode -- so did they actually go through with their wedding? And if so, is the 90 Day Fiance couple still together?
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[90 Day Fiance Spoilers Warning: This article contains spoilers revealing if 90 Day Fiance couple Michael and Juliana are still together.]
Michael, a 41-year-old independent and self-employed wine entrepreneur from Greenwich, CT, and Juliana, a 23-year-old from Goiania, Brazil, are one of the couples starring on Season 7 of 90 Day Fiance, which premiered in early November on TLC.RELATED LINK: '90 DAY FIANCE' COUPLES NOW: WHO IS STILL TOGETHER? WHO HAS SPLIT? WHERE ARE THEY KNOW? (PHOTOS)
Michael imports and distributes wine and works at wine auctions. He's apparently a wealthy man who's part of a jet-setting social group that parties all over the world.
During a big yacht party in Croatia, Michael met Juliana, an international model, and there was an instant attraction.
"I remember when I first saw her," Michael told the camera during the debut episode of 90 Day Fiance's seventh season. "She's beautiful, amazing body -- I don't necessarily believe in love at first sight, but it's like we were kindred spirits."
Once Michael and Juliana got to know each other, Michael said he realized she was funny, thoughtful and smart. He was amazed she was only 20 years old.
"There are certainly a lot of people that may pass judgment [and] may think I'm just an old sleazy, rich guy going after a young hot woman," Michael said. "It doesn't bother me at all. I don't really care."
Juliana, a former seamstress who grew up very poor, was discovered by a modeling agency, and Michael pledged to support her financially in any way that he can.
Michael therefore gave Juliana access to his credit cards. Michael admitted he had spent no small amount of money on her, but he simply wanted to give Juliana the world. (When a producer later asked if the amount was around $150,000, Michael refused to comment. Juliana even purchased a car on Michael's credit card.)
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Michael was hoping Juliana could visit him in the United States shortly after they met, but that plan apparently fell through because her intentions were questioned and they were both denied Tourist Visas.
Michael realized obtaining a K-1 visa would be the only way she could come to America -- so he proposed marriage and planned to marry her within 90 days of her visit.
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As a result, Michael and Juliana had to wait for the K-1 visa to be approved, and both individuals almost lost hope a couple times due to the amount of time it was taking. Juliana, for instance, bought a car in Brazil although she was supposed to be moving to America soon.
The only option for the couple, however, was the United States because Michael was not about to leave his two children, Max and Cece, behind. He shares the two kids with his ex-wife Sarah Jessen, with whom he still has a great friendship.
The premiere of 90 Day Fiance's seventh season showed that Michael bought a house for his fiancee, which was close to Sarah.
Sarah was concerned Juliana was with Michael for his money, but Sarah told the cameras she'd have to trust Michael's decisions, as long as he'd keep their children as his top priority.
Juliana then had her interview in Rio de Janeiro for the K-1 visa, and both Michael and Juliana were nervous because Juliana was apparently in a "high-risk" category considering she's young and from a poor part of Brazil.
Juliana also had a lot of stamps in her passport, and so there would be concern her desire to come to America would be so she can be involved in "illicit activities."
RELATED LINK: '90 DAY FIANCE: BEFORE THE 90 DAYS' COUPLES NOW: WHO IS STILL TOGETHER? WHO HAS SPLIT? WHERE ARE THEY NOW? (PHOTOS)
Cameras were not permitted inside the consulate, but after the interview, Juliana said it was "bad" and they had insulted her.
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Michael didn't think it was right for Juliana to be asked that question, and he confirmed, "No, she's not a prostitute!" Michael said it's normal for young models to travel the world and party with wealthy people.
"I'm a model and I'm professional, so of course I've been to many countries," Juliana told the cameras.
Michael called it "ridiculous" and planned to consult with his lawyer over that "upsetting" interview.
"What does that make me? A pimp?... I don't need to [pay for sex]," Michael vented to Juliana, before she called the process "a nightmare."
But after providing a police-clearance document to show Juliana had no criminal history, Juliana's K-1 visa was approved.
Michael wanted Juliana's arrival in the United States to be as special as possible, so he bought a bouquet of flowers, champagne, and a $4,000 necklace, and headed to the airport in a big white Hummer limousine.
Juliana cried tears of joy when she saw Michael at the airport in America, and she said their wildest dreams had come true and she felt like the luckiest girl in the world.
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Juliana was later introduced to Michael's children, and the meeting went well. The kids thought Juliana was really pretty and their father was a "really lucky guy."
The kids had made Juliana a "welcome home" cake with gummy bears on it as well as breakfast. Juliana said Max seemed smart and Cece appeared to love her immediately, so all was good in the world!
Michael was so glad Juliana and his children had "bonded immediately" upon her arrival into the United States. Juliana said the experience of having two kids around her all the time wasn't new because she had been very close with her niece and nephew in Brazil.
Juliana later met Sarah, whom Max called "assertive" and outspoken.
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Juliana thought it was very unusual Michael and Sarah were still close because when people divorce in Brazil, they stop communicating. However, she was very sweet to Sarah, and Sarah, in turn, was kind and gracious.
But Sarah asked Juliana to "not parent at all." Sarah wanted Juliana to embrace her new role in the family as just a stepmom and become her friend, but Juliana didn't feel like she was part of the family yet.
Sarah later clarified on social media she just didn't want to overload Juliana with too much responsibility given she was still adjusting to a new life in a new country with a new soon-to-be husband.
Michael and Sarah were then shown going furniture shopping and moving into their new house, which Juliana found wonderful and overwhelming.
RELATED LINK: '90 DAY FIANCE: HAPPILY EVER AFTER?' COUPLES NOW: WHO IS STILL TOGETHER? WHO HAS SPLIT? WHERE ARE THEY NOW? (PHOTOS)
Michael and Juliana then found a wedding planner on short notice so they could get the ball rolling on their nuptials. At this point, Juliana had been living in the United States for about two months.
Michael told the wedding planner they'd like good food, good wine, some dancing and about a 40-person guest count. Michael and Juliana had to tell the wedding planner they had both been married once before.
Juliana apparently felt pressured to have an arranged marriage at age 19 that only lasted for one year. Juliana didn't want to marry the man but felt obligated to do so in order to satisfy her religious family.
Juliana said her first marriage was "really bad." She and her ex-husband apparently signed papers to wed and then went to lunch, during which the man allegedly complained about how expensive the lunch happened to be.
Michael was then quoted $50,000-$100,000 for a wedding at their new home by the wedding planner. Juliana couldn't believe how expensive the wedding was going to be.
Juliana expected only three people would be coming to their wedding from her side, but she was still happy. Juliana apparently didn't want her parents to see how wealthy she had become in America because they would expect a lot of financial help from Michael.
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Later on, Sarah stopped by and told the couple she'd be willing to become ordained and officiate their wedding.
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But things between family members grew tense when Sarah asked Michael if he and Juliana had a prenuptial agreement in place to ensure their children would be well taken care of financially in case something were to go wrong in their marriage.
Sarah said she didn't mean to stir the pot, but Juliana was left feeling very confused.
Juliana later asked Michael to explain a prenuptial agreement to her, and he said it's an agreement made in case of divorce to ensure his children, Max and Cece, are protected, but she still didn't understand what it meant.
The conversation upset Juliana because she never wanted to get a divorce and said she'd do anything to make the marriage work, but Michael insisted the prenup would protect her interests as well. Michael pointed out prenups tend to protect the women in marriage "heavily."
Juliana was upset she had to hear about the prenup from Sarah and not Michael, and Michael agreed it was "uncouth" of Sarah and out of character for her to bring that up.
Juliana agreed to go forward with a prenup, but she appeared frustrated because she had to give up her jobs, her little dogs and her family in Brazil to come to the United States. She said it was therefore very uncomfortable to talk about divorce before they even married.
Michael and Juliana were then shown meeting with a mediator a few weeks before their wedding. Michael revealed he has two children and "business interests" and so he wanted to be "prepared for worst-case scenario."
The mediator, Carolyn Swiggart, said a prenup balances out power in a relationship and decision-making. Michael said assets would remain in his name and they'd have separate property.
RELATED LINK: '90 DAY FIANCE: BEFORE THE 90 DAYS' COUPLES NOW: WHO IS STILL TOGETHER? WHO HAS SPLIT? WHERE ARE THEY NOW? (PHOTOS)
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Carolyn told Michael to make sure Juliana would be well taken care of in the case of divorce, and Juliana felt the mediator was on her side, which Michael probably didn't expect.
Juliana told Michael that if he left her once, he'd probably be willing to do it again -- referring to a breakup they previously had in their relationship after a big fight.
Juliana and Michael apparently broke up for three months last year, when Michael allegedly called her and said he didn't want to date her anymore.
Juliana said Michael had suddenly disappeared and she couldn't afford to pay her rent. Juliana never wanted to be in that situation again, and she was angry at herself for depending on Michael so much in the United States.
Juliana said she felt like a "loser" and figured Michael would have all the money and power in their relationship.
"I'm thinking it's time for me to be independent," Juliana told Michael. "If you were in my shoes, you [would be] thinking the same thing. So don't judge."
Michael said he never would have brought Juliana to the meeting had he known it was going to be so upsetting for her.
After the mediator caused some tension between Michael and Juliana, Michael explained in a confessional Juliana was having a hard time realizing she had lost a lot of her independence and would be vulnerable in the United States.
RELATED LINK: '90 DAY FIANCE: HAPPILY EVER AFTER?' COUPLES NOW: WHO IS STILL TOGETHER? WHO HAS SPLIT? WHERE ARE THEY NOW? (PHOTOS)
"I think he always had control over everything and he wants control over me, but that's not going to happen because men [don't] control me," Juliana told the cameras.
Since Juliana was so upset over the prenup, Michael decided against signing one.
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Michael hoped for the best and was confident his future marriage would work out.
Juliana gave Michael a few kisses and appeared both happy and relieved at Michael's decision. Juliana, however, still didn't trust Michael, telling the cameras, "I don't trust anyone."
Juliana at least found a little independence when Michael bought her a bicycle for her birthday so she could get around on her own.
Juliana had to wait three or four months to work and model again.
She then opened up to Sarah about how she had joined a church after her modeling career failed when she was a young teen.
"I think the church was a cult... and for any reason, you could go to hell," Juliana said.
The church's pastor apparently introduced Juliana, who was 17 years old at the time, to a 34-year-old man whom she later married. Juliana said they married after dating for only four months, and in the same day they wed, "he changed."
Juliana's ex-husband demanded Juliana that she stay home, not work and clean their house -- and she said the pastor did not believe her when she complained about his behavior.
"[We] didn't sign divorce or anything. [I] left," Juliana shared.
After Juliana escaped the bad relationship, she moved to Sao Paulo to start modeling again as a stronger and more confident woman. Juliana wasn't going to let anyone bully her again, and then after four months, she filed for divorce and forced her ex to sign the papers.
Sarah applauded Juliana on having overcome so much in her life and she cried after listening to her story. Sarah realized there was "indescribable" depth to Juliana.
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Sarah said she and Juliana "filled in the gaps" together in terms of what would make an excellent mother, and she told Juliana that she was glad she chose Michael as a partner.
"When I first met Sarah, maybe she was thinking that I was taking advantage of Michael and [had] all the reasons to think that I'm bad," Juliana told the cameras.
"Opening up to her about my life was very important to me, because now I feel like she knows me and understands... I think Sarah likes me -- I hope."
Later on, Sarah brought Juliana to a store where Juliana could try on her wedding dress after alterations, and Juliana hoped to become best friends with Sarah because she thought she was really nice.
Sarah just advised Juliana to keep ahold of her own money and not become a house servant, cooking and cleaning everything for Michael.
Juliana cried in her dress because she couldn't wait to marry her love. But a part of Juliana feared she'd get hurt again.
"Don't be nervous. You're part of a big family now," Sarah assured the future bride.
The latest episode of 90 Day Fiance featured the start of Juliana and Michael's wedding day, with Juliana getting her hair and makeup done and then putting her beautiful ballgown wedding dress on.
But Juliana only had two guests at the wedding and they were just friends, so that felt a little lonely for her.
Juliana wished her mother could be there to see her in a wedding dress, and she wished she had their support. Juliana never even received a text message from her family members.
"Not hearing from my family, I can't explain the feeling," Juliana said in tears. "I'm supposed to be walking down the aisle, but I can't stop crying. I don't know if I can do this right now."
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So are Michael and Juliana still together? What's the 90 Day Fiance couple's status now?
According to two photos Sarah had posted on her Instagram account late last year -- but since deleted -- Michael and Juliana did in fact get married!Sarah shared two families photos from Michael and Juliana's wedding, but they can no longer be found on her account.
One photo featured Michael, Juliana, Sarah, Max, Cece and Sarah's now-husband Sean Naso.
RELATED LINK: '90 DAY FIANCE' COUPLES NOW: WHO IS STILL TOGETHER? WHO HAS SPLIT? WHERE ARE THEY KNOW? (PHOTOS)
In the other photo, the bride and groom posed with Sarah and Sean only.
Everyone was all smiles, and in another picture Sarah subsequently posted, Michael was kissing Cece on the cheek at what appeared to be the wedding reception.
"Best daughter, best daddy, best day," Sarah wrote alongside the sweet image.
A pal of Michael's high-school friend leaked the same photos from Michael and Juliana's wedding around the same time last year.
"Mike and his now wife Juliana, 20 year age difference, are on 90 Day Fiance... Clay will be on some episodes including the wedding which they also filmed," the person wrote of Clay, who's apparently Michael's high-school friend, on social media.
"Mike told Clay they originally tried to make him a villain and he said no then I'm not doing the show so they didn't do that to him. Clay said it's pretty staged... Clay is going to Mike's house Sunday for a viewing party."
According to this person, Mike's ex-wife Sarah actually officiated the marriage ceremony for Michael and Juliana.
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RELATED LINK: '90 DAY FIANCE: BEFORE THE 90 DAYS' COUPLES NOW: WHO IS STILL TOGETHER? WHO HAS SPLIT? WHERE ARE THEY NOW? (PHOTOS)
In mid-January 2020, Michael posted several photos of Juliana in a bathing suit hugging and kissing her little black dog in their house.
"This is love," Michael captioned the image.
"EDIT: FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT FOR SOME REASON HAVE HAD A HARD TIME UNDERSTANDING AND/OR QUESTION WHY JULIANA IS WEARING A BATHING SUIT SHE WAS GIVING @howardthedog87 A HAIRCUT AND A BATH. @julianacustodiooo @howardthedog87 #love #puppies #puppiesofinstagram #puppy #puppylove #heartmelting #90dayfiance #2020 #michaelandjuliana #love."
And Juliana confirmed around the same time she's currently living in Connecticut, which means she definitely went through with the wedding and is still with Michael.
"First winter of me in Connecticut and hard get use to the cold," Juliana captioned a photo of herself in a bikini. "Thinking of summer being here. #summer #bikinilife #babyitscoldoutside #90dayfiance #michaelandjuliana #tlc."
Juliana has also remained very close with Sarah, and it appears she gets along beautifully with Max and Cece.
Juliana revealed she was hanging out with Sarah in her Instagram Stories on January 14, and she captioned one photo of them both growling, "Men don't control us."
On January 13, it appears Juliana did a "closet challenge" with Sarah's new husband Sean Naso and Michael's daughter Cece in which Sean had to pick out feminine clothes blindfolded from a closet and then try them on.
RELATED LINK: '90 DAY FIANCE: HAPPILY EVER AFTER?' COUPLES NOW: WHO IS STILL TOGETHER? WHO HAS SPLIT? WHERE ARE THEY NOW? (PHOTOS)
Michael also posted photos of Juliana meeting a guitar craftsman he finds remarkable on January 9, and four days earlier, he shared a photo of his love and gushed about her on Instagram.
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"#lovehersomuch #nofilter #mensdoesntcontrolher #90dayfiance #2020 #homestudio #selfportrait #michaelandjuliana #beautiful #thankful #grateful."
On January 4, Juliana and Michael both shared photos from when they celebrated a friend's 50th birthday at what appeared to be a fancy black-tie affair.
Michael also took to Instagram on December 25, 2019 with photos of Juliana, his children and their dog.
"Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones from the Jessen/Naso family @maxwell.jessen @julianacustodiooo @keathley76 @the_real_naso @howardthedog87 @dogpercythe #gusgusthedog," Michael captioned the slideshow.
"We wish you a wonderful and safe holiday season and hope that you enjoy much love, happiness, and health in 2020."
After the episode aired earlier this season in which Michael and Juliana met with a mediator to discuss a prenuptial agreement, Michael slammed TLC and the show's production company on Instagram for alleged "bullsh-t" editing that painted himself in a bad light.
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"It's something where I feel like I need to call a little bit of bullsh-t because it's not really who we are. It's not really reflective of our reality," Michael said in a series of videos posted to his Instagram Stories in mid-December, according to In Touch Weekly.
"I think we're all a little upset that it's kind of cut out the kindness that we truly share together and it was something that was a part of the narrative of our 90 Day Fiance experience that was departing from who we really are... We're all upset about the harshness for which we were portrayed. It hurts our feelings... We're not paid actors. This is still our real lives."
Michael also shot down criticism he's selfish in his relationship with Juliana.
In the process of defending himself in the video clips, Michael revealed he and Juliana had decided to adopt her niece and nephew from Brazil and bring them over to the United States!
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"They're 8 and 6 years old. And they're in [a] dire situation. The only way to give them a chance at a good life is to bring them to America. We've reached out to my lawyer, we're bringing them over here."
For Juliana's part, she posted a video on Instagram Stories of herself walking around New York City with Michael at the time. The couple was shown hugging and then the video ended with the pair lying in bed together with Michael shirtless.
Juliana also gushed about Michael and defended him following the episode of their prenup dispute.
"I love this guy. I just wants to share how much I love this man, and so many sacrifices he made just to be with me, isn't fair he being attacked just for what people seem on tv, the fact that I haven't been smart with my own stuff have nothing to do with him," Juliana wrote on Instagram.
"He doesn't deserve all this hate, he is a prince, I'm so happy that on the real life he is the most amazing human being I have ever met and has a beautiful soul, love you @michael_jessen_77 #90dayfiance."
Michael later re-posted the video and wrote, "Here's the real love that isn't being shown on TV."
Juliana also posted a series of funny photos of Michael, Sarah, Max and Cece on her Instagram Stories around the same time, showing she's still living in America and has a relationship with all of them.
As for Sarah, she re-married and tied the knot with Sean in early December, and based on a photo Max posted on Instagram, Michael and Juliana attended the small and intimate wedding reception at a waterfront restaurant in Greenwich, CT, together.
And when Sarah posted an Instagram photo of Sean, Max, Cece and herself on her wedding day, she tagged Michael and Juliana in her post.
On November 27, Juliana confirmed she considers the United States her home now. She shared a slideshow of family photos as well as one picture of her standing next to an American flag and wrote alongside the slideshow, "At home in the USA."
More pictures of Juliana, Michael and their blended family date back to November, and at one point, Max called Juliana his "stepmom."
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About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski