DeVon Franklin's love story takes a new turn as he proposes to his girlfriend in a dreamy tropical setting, but netizens can't ignore her striking resemblance to his ex.
DeVon Franklin is engaged! The preacher and producer proposed to his girlfriend, celebrity trainer Maria Castillo, during their tropical getaway in Hawaii on December 27, 2024. According to People, he planned the special moment outside The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua.
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Castillo described the moment as a dream come true. Franklin also reflected on the proposal, sharing how he carefully planned the surprise. “Finding Maria has been one of God's greatest blessings in my life, so I wanted the proposal to be as special as our love,” he said.
“We went to Maui for vacation, I told her we were gonna do a photo shoot and during the photo shoot I surprised her with the proposal! It was truly a magical moment and I can't wait to spend a magical life with Maria!” he added.
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Franklin went on to describe how the proposal unfolded. They enjoyed a scenic walk along the beach, dressed in coordinated white outfits. As they posed for photos at various locations, he led Castillo to a grassy cliff overlooking the ocean. There, he revealed that the entire photo session was a surprise proposal.
Stunned by the unexpected moment, Castillo reacted with shock before dropping to the ground. Franklin knelt down and presented her with an engagement ring designed by Carlotta Sarenas.
After he placed the ring on her finger, she jumped up and down in excitement before kissing Franklin and calling him “a beautiful human.” Franklin responded, “We're beautiful together.
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Castillo was over the moon as she reflected on the special moment. “I'm still in awe of how it all happened! It was such a beautiful surprise, and I can't even put into words how happy I am! To know I'll be spending the rest of my life with this incredible man is a dream come true. Here’s to forever with the love of my life!” she said.
While many congratulated the couple, some social media users couldn't help but notice Castillo's striking resemblance to Franklin's ex-wife, actress Meagan Good. One user commented, “Ummm Megan's twin. Omg lol. Oh well..Congratulations [sic].”
Another wrote, “So he has a type 😂 copy and paste of his ex 👀,” while a third remarked, “He wasted 10 years of Meagan Good's life and then got a younger version of her……just one opinion.” Some fans expressed happiness for Franklin, noting that he clearly has a type and seeing no issue with it.
However, not everyone agreed with the comparison, with one person noting, “She is pretty and looks nothing like Megan to me they are just both light skinned. Congrats to them [sic].” Others playfully referred to Castillo as “Meagan 2.0,” emphasizing her resemblance to his ex.
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Many simply congratulated the couple, sending well wishes for their future together. Meanwhile, some dismissed the comparisons, emphasizing that both women are simply beautiful in their own way.
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Some users reflected on how both Franklin and Good have moved on, hoping they each find lasting happiness in their new relationships.
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Despite the online buzz, Franklin and Castillo remain focused on their future. They met in the spring of 2024 through trainer Mike Trusdale, a mutual friend who arranged a brunch for them. Since then, they have been together.
The couple made their red carpet debut at The Pink Awards in Georgia in October 2024, followed by an appearance at the Merge Awards Gala, which honors individuals blending faith with entertainment.
Before his relationship with Castillo, Franklin was married to Good for nearly a decade. The former couple tied the knot in June 2012 but separated in August 2021. Franklin filed for divorce in December 2021, and their split was finalized in June 2022, with both parties settling privately. Neither was required to pay spousal support.
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At the time, Franklin and Good released a joint statement emphasizing that their split was a mutual decision made with deep thought and respect. They expressed gratitude for their time together, describing their bond as “eternal” and viewing the separation as a natural step in their relationship.