90 Day Fiance couple Michael Jessen and Juliana Custodio de Sousa were shown having a tense and emotional conversation about a prenuptial agreement on Season 7 of the series, so how did their relationship turn out -- did they get married and are they still together?
|
ADVERTISEMENT
|
RELATED LINK: '90 DAY FIANCE' COUPLES NOW: WHO IS STILL TOGETHER? WHO HAS SPLIT? WHERE ARE THEY KNOW? (PHOTOS)
Michael, a 41-year-old independent and self-employed wine entrepreneur from Greenwich, CT, and Juliana, a 23-year-old from Goiania, Brazil, are currently starring on Season 7 of 90 Day Fiance, which premiered in early November on TLC.
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 party 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."
Michael admitted when it became time to return to America, it was really hard to say goodbye to Juliana.
"We had such a connection -- it was just the beginning of something really beautiful," Michael noted.
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.
RELATED LINK: 'MARRIED AT FIRST SIGHT' COUPLES NOW: WHO IS STILL TOGETHER? WHO BROKE UP? WHERE ARE THEY NOW? (PHOTOS)
RELATED LINK: '90 DAY FIANCE' COUPLES NOWMichael 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.)
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.
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.
Michael said he and Sarah dated young and welcomed children young but then eventually grew apart and became very different people.
Michael worried Juliana might not accept his close relationship with his ex-wife.
ADVERTISEMENT
And 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.
The day before Juliana's interview in Rio de Janeiro for the K-1 visa, Michael boarded an overnight flight so he could be there for and support his future wife.
When the pair reunited in a hotel room, Juliana gushed about how much she missed Michael. They had spent one month apart, and Juliana was so happy to have her best friend by her side again.
Both Michael and Juliana were nervous about the interview 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."
Cameras were not permitted inside the consulate, but after the interview, Juliana said it was "bad" and they had insulted her.
"They just asked stupid questions. They asked me if I had been working as a prostitute the last 10 years," Juliana revealed in a confessional.
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."
RELATED LINK: 'BIG BROTHER' SHOWMANCES NOW: WHO'S STILL TOGETHER? WHICH COUPLES HAVE SPLIT UP?? (PHOTOS)
Michael said he had been extremely naive with women his whole life and had his fair share of heartbreak, but he didn't feel like he was marrying someone he didn't know.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
Juliana was later introduced to Michael's children. Although Michael had faith Max and Cece would like Juliana, he acknowledged Juliana can be shy and not very open about her feelings.
However, 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 was a bit nervous, however, to meet Sarah. Juliana didn't know whether Sarah would be upset to see her with Michael, and Michael acknowledged Sarah would react to someone having ulterior motives quickly.
RELATED LINK: '90 DAY FIANCE: BEFORE THE 90 DAYS' COUPLES NOW: WHO IS STILL TOGETHER? WHO HAS SPLIT? WHERE ARE THEY NOW? (PHOTOS)
Max called his mother "assertive," saying she speaks her mind, while Michael admitted she won't put up with "bullsh-t."
Sarah said while most women would probably be intimidated by such a tall, sexy, gorgeous, exotic, smart and well-traveled girl, she wasn't -- because she didn't have the need, energy or time to be jealous.
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
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.
Juliana was so excited to get married, but time was ticking.
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.
RELATED LINK: 'LOVE AFTER LOCKUP' COUPLES NOW: WHO IS STILL TOGETHER? WHO HAS SPLIT? WHERE ARE THEY NOW? (PHOTOS)
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.
Juliana didn't want to feel guilty for having a fancy, opulent wedding when her parents might look at the flowers and think, "Those would be our groceries for a week." The couple struggled with how to enjoy their new life together when Juliana's family was so poor back home.
ADVERTISEMENT
Michael thought it was a nice offer, but Juliana admitted she didn't want Sarah's face in the wedding photos. Juliana was a bit uncomfortable with how close Sarah and Michael still seemed to be, and she confessed she was also a little jealous in her heart.
Sarah then 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.
RELATED LINK: '90 DAY FIANCE: HAPPILY EVER AFTER?' COUPLES NOW: WHO IS STILL TOGETHER? WHO HAS SPLIT? WHERE ARE THEY NOW? (PHOTOS)
Sarah said she didn't mean to stir the pot, but Juliana was left feeling very confused.
In the latest episode of the series, Juliana 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."
Michael and Sarah had never signed a prenup together, but Michael said they had no money at the time they wed and had student loans and such since they were so young.
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 later 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.
ADVERTISEMENT
Juliana had stopped working a few months ago, so she didn't have much money to bring into the marriage. Juliana said if Michael didn't want to share his income and assets then neither did she if she ended up making it big as a model.
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.
"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."
Juliana was feeling very helpless, and she didn't like the idea of relying on Michael for money and everything. Michael said he never would have brought Juliana to the meeting had he known it was going to be so upsetting for her.
Juliana had no money saved, and she said she felt like "a loser" since Michael had more money and the power in their upcoming marriage as a result. Juliana wanted to be able to support herself and make her own money.
RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELOR' COUPLES NOW: WHO DID 'THE BACHELOR' STARS AND THEIR BACHELORETTE PICKS ACTUALLY END UP MARRYING? (PHOTOS)
Michael said divorce was "a horrible experience" and he and Juliana had to come to an agreement or else there may be "some lingering issues" between them.
Did the prenup tear Michael and Juliana apart? Did the 90 Day Fiance couple ever get married and are they still together now?
Are Juliana and Michael still together? Did the 90 Day Fiance couple end up marrying?
After the episode in which Michael and Juliana met with a mediator aired, Michael slammed TLC and the show's production company on Instagram for alleged "bullsh-t" editing that painted himself in a bad light.ADVERTISEMENT
"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."
RELATED LINK: '90 DAY FIANCE: BEFORE THE 90 DAYS' COUPLES NOW: WHO IS STILL TOGETHER? WHO HAS SPLIT? WHERE ARE THEY NOW? (PHOTOS)
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 are definitely still together because they have decided to adopt her niece and nephew from Brazil and bring them over to the United States!
"Juliana and I, today, just initiated the process of adopting her niece and nephew from Brazil," Michael reportedly shared on December 15.
"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. 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."
RELATED LINK: '90 DAY FIANCE: HAPPILY EVER AFTER?' COUPLES NOW: WHO IS STILL TOGETHER? WHO HAS SPLIT? WHERE ARE THEY NOW? (PHOTOS)
ADVERTISEMENT
Sarah re-married and tied the knot with her boyfriend, Sean Naso, 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.
The photos provide more evidence Michael and Juliana are still together.
On November 27, Juliana confirmed she is still living in the United States when she shared a slideshow of family photos as well as one picture of her standing next to an American flag. She captioned the slideshow, "At home in the USA."
Juliana also posted a picture with Michael nearly one week earlier in which they attended a cancer-research fundraising event together and apparently showcased a "wine project" they're doing together.
Michael subsequently shared more photos from the event on his own Instagram page. He wore a suit to the charity fundraiser, while Juliana stunned in a white bodysuit with red lips. Sarah also apparently attended the party.
Around that same time, Sarah uploaded a photo of Michael and Juliana sitting at a table together at the fundraiser, and she captioned it, "Such cuties."
In the comments section, Juliana enthusiastically responded, "We love you," with a handful of heart-eye emoticons.
RELATED LINK: 'MARRIED AT FIRST SIGHT' COUPLES NOW: WHO IS STILL TOGETHER? WHO BROKE UP? WHERE ARE THEY NOW? (PHOTOS)
It's clear Sarah is still very supportive of Michael and Juliana's relationship today. Sarah even once re-posted an inspiring story about Juliana's life and childhood on her Instagram account.
Juliana also posted a video of herself giving a makeup tutorial in mid-November and Max and Cece were featured in the video!
ADVERTISEMENT
The trio seem to get along beautifully, and Max could be heard calling Juliana his "stepmom," again suggesting Michael and Juliana got married.
And according to two photos Sarah had posted on her Instagram account -- 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.
Juliana wore a ballgown with a lace bodice, long sleeves and a tiara on her wedding day, while Michael wore a traditional tuxedo with a bow tie.
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 recently leaked the same photos from Michael and Juliana's wedding.
RELATED LINK: '90 DAY FIANCE' COUPLES NOW: WHO IS STILL TOGETHER? WHO HAS SPLIT? WHERE ARE THEY KNOW? (PHOTOS)
"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.
ADVERTISEMENT
According to this person, Mike's ex-wife Sarah actually officiated the marriage ceremony for Michael and Juliana.
Want 90 Day Fiance spoilers? Click here to visit our 90 Day Fiance Spoilers webpage!
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski
