How Did Russ And Paola From 90 Day Fiance Meet?
Given the sheer number of internet hangouts available to anyone with a Wi-Fi connection, it's easy to think that the couples from "90 Day Fiance" and its ever-expanding franchise must all meet through that instant avenue. But that isn't always the case.
Sometimes, they meet while one of them visiting a foreign country, like Alan and Kirlyam Cox, who, according to Screen Rant, first met while Alan was doing missionary work in her native Colombia. Or Melanie Bowers and Devar Walters, who met while Melanie was on vacation in Jamaica, per Us Magazine.
Naturally, many couples do initially connect online, given that online dating has skyrocketed since its inception in 1995. But never rule out a good meet and greet, a much-needed vacation, or even missionary work. They can all be sources of finding your one and only. Of course, the success rate of any couple's relationship relies on other factors, too — but it's still interesting to see how all of the "90 Day Fiance" couples found each other. Here's how Russ and Paola Mayfield met.
Russ met Paola while on a work trip
As Screen Rant reports, it all started when Russ Mayfield, who worked in the oil industry when he met Paola, headed to Colombia for his job. Twenty-seven at the time, Russ was immediately smitten by 26-year-old Paola, who was outspoken and confident as ever. When Russ had to return to the U.S., he wanted to take Paola with him, and they applied for the K-1 fiance visa.
It wasn't all sunshine and rainbows for the couple, however. Paola was shocked by their move to Oklahoma and made plans to move to Miami to further her modeling and fitness career, according to Screen Rant. Paola became a certified personal trainer and also furthered her modeling aspirations, using her Instagram account to gain sponsored gigs and paid partnerships. The Colombian beauty even broke into professional wrestling after training for a year to perfect her role, per The Things.
Wrestling, modeling, and Instagram adverts aren't the only thing Paola uses to make bank. The reality TV star is also a certified personal trainer and offers fitness and nutrition advice to her clients, per her website.
Troubles come and troubles go
Married life for Russ and Paola Mayfield has had some awesome highs, like the birth of their son, Axel, in 2019, and some devastating lows, like the miscarriage they suffered before their son came along. After Axel's birth, the couple seemed to be on cloud nine for a while, basking in the newness of their little boy. However, life threw them for a loop. Russ lost his job, per Screen Rant, and the couple decided to leave Florida, where Russ had moved to be with his wife. (Paola had used her "90 Day Fiance" fame to gain more than 1 million followers on Instagram and build her personal training business in Miami.)
In August, fans picked up on a cryptic message Paola posted to her Instagram feed and worried she was separating from Russ. Paola's manager, Dominque Enchinton, stepped in to inform fans that the "90 Day Fiance" couple was "taking a break," via In Touch Weekly. "They are still together. They are just taking a break and going to therapy to work through the issues," Enchinton told the magazine.
Paola's Instagram posts have run the gamut, first fueling divorce rumors and then giving hope to her fan base that perhaps things with Russ aren't over after all. For fans of the couple, there's plenty of hope that they'll be able to figure it all out.