When Brandon Gibbs and Julia Trubkina first appeared on season eight of 90 Day Fiancé, they caught viewers' attention with their clashing lifestyles, intense family dynamics, and cross-continental romance. Since their franchise debut, fans have closely followed their trajectory from a Virginia farm to married life and expanding their family.
Brandon Gibbs was born on September 10, 1993, making him 33 years old. Julia Trubkina was born on October 16, 1993, making her 33 years old as well. They are the same age, separated by just over a month. Brandon grew up in Dinwiddie, Virginia, where his family operated a farm, while Julia grew up in Krasnodar, Russia, working professionally as a go-go dancer and fitness instructor.
How Brandon and Julia Met
The cross-continental relationship started through a casual digital connection. One of Brandon's friends spotted Julia dancing in a video online and introduced her to Brandon via a video chat. Sparks flew immediately, prompting Brandon to travel to South Korea to meet Julia in person since it was an accessible meeting point that didn't immediately require complex visa hurdles for travel.
After spending time together abroad, Brandon proposed, and Julia applied for her K-1 visa. Her arrival in the United States set the stage for their dramatic television debut on TLC.
Reality TV Timeline and Spinoffs
Their journey across the network has spanned multiple years and several franchise iterations.
- Season 8 (2020–2021): Featured Julia's arrival in America, the culture shock of living on Brandon's parents' farm, strict household rules (including sleeping in separate bedrooms), and their eventual wedding in April 2020.
- Happily Ever After? (Seasons 6–9): Documented their efforts to move out of the farm, financial struggles, apartment hunting, and the ongoing friction with Brandon's parents, Ron and Betty.
- Pillow Talk and Bares All: Featured the couple as commentary guests and interviewees, where they offered unfiltered thoughts on fellow franchise cast members.
Careers Beyond Reality Television
While reality television introduced them to a global audience, both maintain careers outside of the TLC cameras.
Brandon spent years working as a pest control technician alongside helping on his family's farm. Over time, he transitioned into managing various local service jobs and supporting their digital footprint.
Julia built a robust social media presence with hundreds of thousands of followers on Instagram, leveraging her background in dance and fitness to secure brand partnerships. She has frequently shared workout routines, modeling content, and glimpses of her personal life. The couple also moved away from the restrictive farm environment to establish an independent home base in Virginia, with future relocation plans pointing toward warmer climates like Florida.
Expanding Their Family
One of the most significant chapters in their timeline unfolded as they navigated fertility challenges and pregnancy. During the Happily Ever After? season nine Tell All, Julia revealed that she was six months pregnant, a milestone they kept private due to past miscarriages and high-risk medical concerns.
They officially announced the pregnancy publicly, and welcomed their baby boy. Fans can track occasional updates regarding their parenting journey through TLC's official site or the couple's verified social media channels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Brandon and Julia still together?
Yes, they remain married. Despite frequent online rumors and challenges shown on television, they celebrated multiple years of marriage and welcomed their first child together.
Where do Brandon and Julia live now?
After spending their early married life balancing time on the family farm and local rentals, they established independent living quarters in Virginia, with long-term aspirations of relocating to a warmer state.
Did Julia ever return to Russia to visit her family?
Yes, Julia has traveled back to Russia to visit her family and friends when international travel allowed, though visa constraints and global events have occasionally complicated her travel plans.
What was the controversy with Brandon's parents during the Tell All?
During the season nine Tell All, Julia revealed that they didn't inform Brandon's parents about her pregnancy until she reached the six-month mark. She explained that past fertility losses created severe anxiety and a need for absolute privacy, which hurt Ron and Betty's feelings but was necessary for her peace of mind.
