Married At First Sight: I'm Disappointed In Juan Franco's Casting (He's Shockingly Proven He Was On Season 18 For The Wrong Reasons)

I am appalled that Juan Franco was cast on Married at First Sight season 18 amid his ulterior motives coming to light. Juan, 36, is originally from Colombia, and has strong ties to his heritage and family. Juan works as a Sales Representative and is also trying to get his start-up tech company off the ground. He married Karla Juarez, 33, who is a Hairdresser, Pilates Instructor, and Sound Bath Healer in MAFS season 18. Karla came off as very whimsical, and she didn't get a positive reception from viewers at first. Juan came off as more charismatic, but that has since changed.

Season 18 was plagued by scandal as one couple, Ikechi Ojoré and Emem Obot ended their marriage on bad terms with Emem going on to get engaged to someone else within a week of the breakup. Then there was an affair between David Trimble and Madison Myers, who ditched their original partners in favor of starting a relationship with each other. While these major blunders were already jarring enough, I've found Juan's post-show behavior and dubious intentions to be the most troubling part of Married at First Sight season 18 and its obvious casting mistakes.

Juan Tried To Throw Shade At Karla

He Came For Her On Instagram

Juan and Karla did see the eight-week-long experiment through to decision day, although they never kissed or showed affection other than on their wedding day. They both requested a divorce, but remained friendly. At the reunion, Karla called Juan out for his shortcomings, but the two still seemed to be on good terms. However, while the reunion was airing, Juan made several Instagram Stories and posts (via @mafsfan) alleging that Karla was a bully, immature, blackmailing him with her family, and refusing to sign the divorce papers.

Karla made public videos condemning the claims and saying that Juan was deflecting his own poor behavior. She called Juan "calculated" and slammed him for trying to destroy her integrity "without proof." I think Juan's attacks on Karla are without merit and showcase how he's grasping at straws and I see him doing a lot of damage to his character as a result while trying to stay relevant.

Juan Revealed He Met His Current Girlfriend Before Filming

Juan Wasn't An Eligible Single

Juan also made it exceedingly obvious to me that he should have never been cast on Married at First Sight because he finally revealed the secret he alleged Karla was keeping for blackmail. Juan went on Auntie's Advice Podcast (via u/Jaded_Science_2512 on Reddit) and said that he met a Brazilian woman, in Brazil prior to filming and formed a romantic connection with her.

They started their relationship when Juan got greenlit for the show, so he got married to Karla while he already had a girlfriend, which I find abhorrent.

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Juan Saw MAFS As A Business Opportunity

& Has Been Facing Backlash Online For Juancho's Panchos

Since Juan went onto Married at First Sight already having a girlfriend, his motivations for going on the show are now clear to me. In the podcast, Juan also stated that he thought of the experience as a business opportunity, and I've seen him waste no time treating it as such. Juan promoted his tech app during his appearances, and also showed up to MAFS' After Party wearing swag from his company. Then, he started Juancho's Panchos with Karla before there was bad blood.

Juan said he was going to buy Karla out with the profits, but he's got bigger issues. He is getting called out on social media for faking five-star reviews for his products which aren't even available for purchase yet. I see Juan for who he is, which is an opportunist, a shady person, and a clout chaser.

Juan Should Have Never Been Cast On MAFS

He Was The Opposite Of A Good Candidate

I think based on the evidence that Juan came onto the show with a girlfriend, was a shameless self-promoter, tried to come for Karla personally, and is allegedly faking reviews on Juancho's Panchos, Juan shouldn't have been cast. Production is at fault for not digging deeper into Juan's love life and realizing he was going to self-promote, but everything that came after the show is all reflective of Juan. I feel Juan has done Married at First Sight's credibility harm, and I'm disappointed in his participation.

Source: @mafsfan/Instagram, u/Jaded_Science_2512/Reddit,Auntie's Advice Podcast