Thomas, a star of the reality TV show 90 Day Fiancé, has threatened to call off his upcoming wedding to his fiancée Paula after a heated argument over her use of perfume and deodorant. The clash, which unfolded on the latest episode of Season 12, has cast doubt on their future together just days before they are set to tie the knot.
Background: A Cross-Continental Romance
Paula, 41, relocated from São Paulo, Brazil, to Long Beach, California, to be with Thomas, 31, after the couple met while she was on a trip to Los Angeles. Their relationship, however, has been strained by Thomas’s acute sensitivity to artificial scents—a condition he describes as a serious issue that affects his daily life.
The tension came to a head during a cake-tasting outing ahead of their wedding. What began as a lighthearted moment quickly soured when Thomas made a sarcastic remark about Paula’s enthusiasm. “You should be a writer. You describe it with so much emotions and feeling. You go deep. Like, it’s just a cake,” he said, dismissing her detailed thoughts on the cake selection.
The Perfume and Deodorant Dispute
Later, Paula apologized for wearing deodorant, explaining that the hot weather and plans to be outdoors for most of the day made it necessary. Thomas, however, rejected her apology and expressed his frustration, calling her deodorant “the most pungent and obscene thing I’ve ever smelled.” He insisted that avoiding artificial scents is a non-negotiable boundary in their relationship.
“I really need Paula to come up to speed on this and just accept that this is a boundary that I need in a relationship for us to be together,” Thomas said, emphasizing that his sensitivity is not a trivial matter but a condition that can trigger allergic reactions.
Thomas also refused to accept Paula’s apology, accusing her of not taking his concerns seriously. “Everything you just said, you’re saying to be funny, and news flash, I’m not laughing,” he said, signaling that the issue was far from resolved.
Family Visits Add Fuel to the Fire
The couple’s disagreement escalated when Paula revealed her plans to invite eight members of her family to their wedding, with the relatives staying at their apartment. Thomas objected to the arrangement, suggesting that they should stay in a hotel instead. He argued that the apartment was too small and criticized Paula’s closeness with her family, saying, “Paula never cut the umbilical cord from her parents.”
The argument took a sharper turn when Thomas said he would throw away her mother’s deodorant if she used it in their home. “I need my apartment to be my safe place where I don’t have to be worried about invasive smells that give me an allergic reaction,” he explained, highlighting the severity of his sensitivity.
Thomas’s Criticism of Paula’s Fragrance Choices
Thomas didn’t stop there. He launched into a critique of Paula’s choice of fragrances, describing them as some of the worst he had ever encountered. “You don’t need to have a perfume on to feel normal. And you pick some of the worst artificial smells of all time. Like, I don’t know where you find this stuff. Like, it’s bottom of the barrel — worst I’ve ever smelled in my life,” he said.
He also questioned why Paula didn’t consult him before using scented products, suggesting that she should have asked for his opinion. “Why don’t you ask my opinion and say, ‘Hey, before I spray this, maybe I should consult my fiancé, who I’m going to be living with for the rest of my life about spraying this to see if he’s going to be sensitive to this?’” he asked, underscoring his expectation that Paula should prioritize his comfort.
Paula’s Response: Accusations of Control
Paula, however, saw things differently. She accused Thomas of being controlling and said his behavior made her question their future together. “Thomas never lets anything go. Like, he’s trying to control every little thing that I do. He’s micromanaged me like a kid and I’m not happy at all,” she said. In a moment of frustration, she even compared him to a cockroach during the argument.
Thomas remained firm, stating that the issue was a dealbreaker and giving Paula an ultimatum. “You have the option to not get married with me. You have that option,” he said, making it clear that he would not compromise on his boundaries.
Paula’s Doubts About the Future
In a confessional, Paula expressed her deep uncertainty about the relationship. “The way he’s managing our relationship and the way he’s trying to control every single step that I do, I really don’t know if I can commit with this for the rest of my life,” she said, revealing that she felt trapped by the dynamics of their relationship.
The couple’s future now hangs in the balance as they navigate this significant conflict. With the wedding looming, it remains to be seen whether they can find a compromise or if the scents issue will prove to be the final straw.
