Thomas, one of the stars of TLC's "90 Day Fiancé," has threatened to cancel his upcoming wedding to Paula, citing her use of deodorant and perfume as a dealbreaker just two weeks before their planned nuptials.
Paula, 41, who moved from São Paulo, Brazil, to Long Beach, California, to be with Thomas, 31, has been struggling with his strong aversion to artificial scents. The couple's conflict came to a head during a cake tasting for their wedding, where the discussion shifted to Thomas's sensitivities.
"Everything you just said, you’re saying to be funny — and news flash, I’m not laughing," Thomas told Paula after she apologized for wearing deodorant due to the heat. He described the scent as "the most pungent and obscene thing" he's ever smelled and stated it as a crucial boundary for their relationship.
Adding to the tension, Paula informed Thomas that eight of her family members would be attending the wedding and staying at their apartment. Thomas expressed concern about the limited space and his desire for the apartment to be a "safe place" free from "invasive smells." He also commented negatively on Paula's choice of scents, suggesting she consult him before using them.
Paula felt that Thomas's reactions were a sign of controlling behavior. "He’s micromanaged me like a kid and I’m not happy at all," she told cameras, expressing doubts about committing to a lifetime with him if he continued to micromanage her actions.
Thomas, however, remained firm, calling her decision to wear deodorant "reckless" and telling her she had the "option to not get married with me" if she could not respect his boundaries. Paula conveyed that she felt "in a trap" due to his management style.
"90 Day Fiancé" airs Sundays at 8 p.m. ET on TLC.