Married at First Sight star Karla Juarez has explained her "challenge" being married to Juan Franco, who allegedly said he's not going to be a "traditional" husband.
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On Married at First Sight: Afterparty, which aired Wednesday night on Lifetime, Karla watched back a Season 18 clip of her friend Jess asking Juan if he complimented Karla during the couple's housewarming party.
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"I do compliment her, but I don't go too far," Juan replied. "I think I could do better in that department."
Jess then revealed that, according to Karla, Juan rarely complimented his wife and so Karla didn't feel like he was in the marriage 100 percent. Jess asked Juan to give Karla more attention and affection.
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Karla explained to Afterparty host Keshia Knight Pulliam how "there was a lot of chemistry" between Juan and herself at the wedding.
"It was as if we had known each other for so long," Karla shared.
"So obviously [Jess] expected that to continue on. So I have kind of shared with her how there's not really that romantic, like, factor.
Karla added, "Juan also stated on our honeymoon that he's not a traditional husband who will check in and compliment."
Keshia joked about how Juan couldn't know that since he's never been someone's husband before, but Karla clarified, "Maybe he's just not a traditional partner."
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Karla suggested that her needs and desires weren't really being met in her marriage to Juan.
"I feel like what's going on in our relationship is that I'm just supposed to be, like, the tag-along," Karla explained.
"Because regardless if that's what I want to do or not, he's still going to do it."
When reflecting on her dating history and experiences, Karla apparently faced a similar challenge before.
"A challenge for me is, in the past, I've given my partner 100 percent and if I had plans, I would alter those plans to accommodate him," Karla admitted.
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"And I don't want to just follow someone around."
Karla therefore said she needed Juan to step it up, even with just a tiny gesture.
"Honestly, in this moment, it could be as small as something, like, 'Let's go for a walk together and just talk,'" Karla said.
Karla also suggested that Juan was extremely busy and so it was difficult to spend time with him.
"He's just always on the go. He wakes up like a bat out of hell. He sleeps [on his back], and as soon as his alarm goes off, he pops up," Karla shared.
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"There are times when he will definitely hit the Snooze, but when he's up, he's up and on the go."
But Karla said she was "aware" of her energy -- and not bring bad energy to the table -- and she did a good job of reading how Juan was feeling on any given day.
"[It's] about holding space for that person," Karla concluded.
On Married at First Sight's latest Season 18 episode, Juan explained how he worked two jobs and went to the gym every day and so it was hard to put his time into his relationship with Karla.
Juan also admitted to the other Married at First Sight grooms that while he thought Karla was genuinely attractive, he was lacking an organic and natural chemistry with her.
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