Interview by Paul Salfen
In a world where reality TV thrives on heartbreak and redemption, few stories burn brighter than that of Michael and Justine Persaud. What began as a chance connection through a prison pen pal program has blossomed into a whirlwind of love, seven kids (plus one tiny new addition), and a spotlight on We TV’s addictive franchise Love After Lockup and its gripping spin-off, Life After Lockup. On a recent Zoom call—yes, the same platform where fans have tearfully confessed their love for the couple—Michael and Justine opened up about the highs, the hate, and the unbreakable bond that’s carried them from a chapel wedding behind bars to building a legacy on screen.
Picture this: It’s August 5, 2022, in a stark prison chapel in Pennsylvania. Justine Persaud, a 38-year-old nursing assistant from Pawtucket, Rhode Island, born in 1987, stands at the altar in a simple white gown, exchanging vows with Michael Persaud—known to fans and foes alike as rapper Montana Millz. For the former prisoner, it’s his first marriage; for Justine, fresh off a divorce in August 2020, it’s a bold second chance at forever. The couple, who “instantly hit it off” via letters, now juggle a blended family of seven children from previous relationships. But just when fans thought their plates were full enough, they dropped a bombshell: the arrival of their daughter, Manhattan Barbie, announced with bubbly TikToks that racked up millions of views.
Michael’s path to this chapter hasn’t been easy. The Pennsylvania native, who’s been in and out of prison since age 15, landed behind bars in January 2018 on drug charges. Released on October 7, 2022—the same day his debut album Z Roller Coaster of Life drops this month—he’s channeled his experiences into raw, introspective rap that’s as much therapy as it is entertainment. “This is not about money,” he tells me, his voice steady over the glitchy connection. “It’s about long-term opportunities, connections. Money comes and goes, but experiences? Those stick.”
Justine, no stranger to reinvention herself, traded scrubs for the spotlight after her nursing gig took a backseat to family life. With three kids in tow when they met, she’s the rock of the household, navigating not just motherhood but the relentless scrutiny of reality TV. Enter Life After Lockup, the series that peels back the curtain on their post-release chaos: co-parenting marathons, in-law drama (Justine’s mother-in-law is on a mission for DNA tests to “confirm” paternities), and the everyday perils of blending two worlds into one very full home. “This is really my life,” Justine says, her Rhode Island accent softening the edges of a tough truth. “I’ve had to be so vulnerable—talking about my kids, my mom, my son. People comment on your children, and that’s never easy.”
Our chat kicks off with the elephant in the room: the internet’s unfiltered opinions. From tearful fan encounters (“We love you! Can we take a picture?”) to outright vitriol (“Hey, you’re a shitty father”), the Persauds have heard it all. Michael, ever the philosopher, brushes it off like morning fog. “Comments are like a fucking cloud—they show up, then five minutes later, they’re gone, buried by someone else’s positive vibe,” he says with a laugh. “You’ve got 99 amazing comments and one hater. Do the math—the average looks pretty good.” Justine nods, admitting the early barbs stung more for her as the “sensitive” one in the duo. “I’m a girl, naturally more emotional,” she confesses. “But I started asking myself, ‘What would Kim do?’ Kim Kardashian’s been in this game forever—she wouldn’t care. She’d be on to the next.”
It’s this tunnel-vision mindset that’s kept them sane amid the “smoke and mirrors,” as Michael calls it. Season one? They devoured every comment, riding the high of newfound fame. By season three? “I’m a rockstar. I work,” he quips. The key, they both stress, is thick skin—or don’t sign up at all. “If you’re thinking about doing a show like this, you need real tough skin,” Justine warns aspiring cast members who flood her DMs. “Normal relationships don’t have a random lady from Texas telling you how much she hates you. If you’re not ready, it’ll tear your relationship apart.” Michael’s advice is equally blunt: Know your endgame. “The TV show’s one thing, but now you’re gaining momentum. What’s next? Don’t squander it thinking you’ll be on reality TV forever.”
For those dipping a toe into the Lockup universe, the Persauds hope viewers bring more compassion to the couch. “If fans were a little more supportive, you’d get way more vulnerability,” Michael urges. “A lot of cast members, including us, hold back because we don’t want your opinion—we need support.” Justine echoes that, revealing how the good has far outweighed the bad: opportunities, recognition, and a documented life their kids can cherish someday. “Our favorite part? Ten years from now, our children will watch this and see themselves,” Michael says, his voice warming. ” ‘Look, that’s when Mary was one year old.’ It’s not hitting me yet, but it’ll be huge.”
When I toss out my co-host Drew Pearson’s signature question—the “Hail Mary” moment, that do-or-die leap that paid off—Justine demurs: “Mine’s still brewing.” But for Michael, it’s crystal clear: right now. “Big things are happening in the next few weeks—a dream come true. Whether we’re on the show next season or not, you’ll see us as a legacy.” Teasing his album drop, he adds with a grin, ” Z Roller Coaster of Life—it’s going to be everywhere. Check it out.”
What surprises them most about this roller coaster? For Michael, it’s Justine’s natural star power. “She was born for this shit,” he beams. Justine recalled her mom’s childhood prophecy: At preschool drop-off, little Justine turned and declared, “I’m going to be a movie star.” “Michael said, “When I see her doing interviews, it’s like, yeah—this is her thing.”
As our call wraps, the Persauds sign off with easy gratitude, their chemistry palpable even through pixels. From prison pen pals to parents of eight, they’re proof that love doesn’t follow a script—but it makes for one hell of a show. Catch Life After Lockup on We TV, stream Montana Millz’s album on October 7, and remember: In the game of opinions, the real winners play their own rules.
Paul Salfen is a senior editor at AMFM Magazine, where he covers entertainment, music, and the unfiltered side of fame. Follow him on X @PaulSalfen for more behind-the-scenes scoops.
