An Interview with Justine & Michael from ‘Life After Lockup’

Justine and Michael are staples of WE tv’s wildly popular Lockup franchise and their journey continues in the new season of Life After Lockup, which premieres tonight, and we here at NTG were lucky enough to sit down with Justine and Michael to discuss their time on television before tonight’s new episode. 

John Betancourt: What motivated each of you to open your lives up and participate in this franchise?

Justine: I think it was a just like a rare opportunity that just doesn't come around every day. So, I really wanted to share my experience in my love story. With the world, I think it's very special. It's very unique. It's something that not everybody can relate to. And, you know, turns out, we give a lot of people hope. So that's why I wanted to do it.

Michael: For me, it was just being able to show the world that for a person coming home, it's hard. But when you have the right mindset, it's doable. You know what I mean? So, I wanted, I wanted the world to be a part of my journey, as well, and allow them to come into my home, so that people who are incarcerated stop getting that stigma, like, they're just pieces of poop, you know what I mean? They're just, they're no good. If he just came out of jail, don't give him a job. No, he's deserved the job. So, he doesn't commit another crime and end up in there, you know, people change, and I've been around a lot of guys in there who have changed their lives. So, I thought it was a good way for me to show the world that you know, change is possible.

John Betancourt: What’s changed in your life, by being so open with the world? 

Michael: Well, what has changed the most is the scrutiny you get and being in the public eye. You know, a lot of people have a lot to say. And I honestly, I don't care about opinions, because I'm strongly opinionated myself about who I am, what I do, or what I'm capable of doing. So, when I see a negative comment, or people talking about things that they don't know, it doesn't bother me, because I know who I am. I know what's going on. I know what goes on behind the scenes. So, I'm more--we're more in control of our emotions, because we're aware of the scrutiny that comes with being in the public eye. But I mean, what's changed the most is just… I think people recognizing us, you know, everywhere we go, now, it's like, “Hey, let's take a picture!” And I tell her all the time… apart from all the scrutiny and stuff, look, look at the pros and cons of this. People want to take pictures with you, they want you to you know, they are in her inbox asking her for things. So, it's like, it's… I think it's a blessing.

Justine: I mean, going off of what he said, you know, just people recognizing you more, it lets me know that I'm way more than just ‘Justine’, the mom, the wife, you know, I can really inspire people, people want to hear what I have to say. And that really makes me feel good.

John Betancourt: Now Michael, you mentioned scrutiny there and that leads me to my next question. What kind of challenges have you each faced now that you’ve been part of this franchise? 

Justine: I think, you know, I can't please everybody, no matter what I do, it's not going to please everybody, there's going to be some people that love it, there's going to be some people that tear it apart. You know, sometimes it can be hard to pick and choose what I want to do to put myself out there, because the scrutiny does get hard at times, you know, I'm a woman, I'm pregnant. There's a lot that's going on right now. But I'm trying to handle it the best way I can. And he's been very supportive. He's really good with things.

Michael: I mean, yeah, to me, it's just being approached, this much now, makes me nervous. Because I don't know everyone's intentions. You don't know who really wants to take a picture or pose from someone who wants to throw a drink in your face just to capture that moment and go viral, you know, so it's like, I'm just a little more focused and aware of my surroundings than I was before.

John Betancourt: Now that also brings up a good point, because I don’t think people recognize the fact that you’re constantly surrounded by cameras and now I’m wondering, how do you handle that? 

Michael: You know, having cameras around… I'm used to. Before me and Justin got together, I was in the in the entertainment world. I was doing shows shooting videos. I was already very comfortable with the camera, you know. So just allowing them into my space into my home. It's just like, they're not even there. For me. They're not even there. We're just doing what we're doing. Let them record, this is our lives, let's give the public what we do on a daily basis. So, it hasn't really been that hard. Now on my kids, they don't like it, they just don’t like it… well, I'm gonna let you elaborate on that a little bit.

Justine: I think the kids, you know, they're, it's not that they're not feeling the show. It's what other kids want to say to them. Like for my daughter, for instance, she said that she lost a lot of friends, because they just wanted to be friends with her because of the show. So, she started letting go of people because she’s seen their intentions, and it became a little bit hard on her. So that that's something for sure. What it's doing with the kids.

John Betancourt: Well now I have to follow that up by asking, how do you handle that as parents?

Justine: You know, I've explained to them that this is our job now. And that there's a lot of positive that comes along with it. And it's also a good thing that it's showing them people's true intentions. So, they don't have to waste the time being friends with people who don't really have a pure heart and really don't want to be friends with them for the correct reasons. So, it's a lesson that they've had to learn early, but a good lesson to learn.

Michael: I tell my children that, once again, what I've realized in life is, no matter what you do, there's always going to be someone to say something, whether it's positive or negative, you know, in life, you're going to gain friends, and you're going to lose friends, you know, but one thing that you never change is who you really are. Whether you’re on a show, whether you're a millionaire, whether you're broke, whether you're poor, you continue to be you. So that whoever is there, or whatever, friend, you have, whatever sibling, whatever is there, they're there because of your true soul. And they're not there because of who you are, or what you got, what you can do for them. You know, relationships are not supposed to be based on incentives, you know, so I just kind of like coach them into that, you know, like, don't fall for everyone who comes around and wants to come to your house now. Because now they know, there’s cameras over here.

Justine: They want to meet, you know, meet us. So, they're like, “Oh, can we come over? Can we come hang out?” And it's like… no.

John Betancourt: What has it meant to each of you to be part of a franchise that is so popular?  

Michael: I mean, it's a blessing, you know, shout out to WE tv, Sharp Entertainment, for giving us the opportunity to share our story with the world. You know, it's also helping me on my music, my music side, you know, I'm gaining more followers, more fans, I'm able to showcase what I've been working for my whole life. So, it's definitely become a platform for me, in that aspect. And I'm just, you know, I thank God every morning when I wake up that I'm able to, you know, I'm able to do something with it, that they’re just not recording me. And I'm just the guy sitting on the couch. 

Justine: As for me, I enjoy the platform, there's a lot of things that I go through as a woman, I'm just like everybody else. So, it really gives women a chance to look at me and see where I'm going and see the things, I can do see the opportunities that are in front of me, you know, they could do it too. You know, I'm just like everybody else. So, I like the fact that I can give a lot of women hope, and you know, help them push through. 

John Betancourt: What it means to you each of you to have your journey and what you want to accomplish, shared with the world?  

Justine: That's a big one. You know, I just hope that I reach a lot of women that are in my same situation, you know, it's… dating a guy that's been in jail is not an easy task. It can be very lonely. It can be very taxing; it can be expensive. It can be a lot of things, you know, and a lot of women reach out to me, a lot of women are going through it. And it makes me feel really good that they can come to me, I don't just ignore people in my inbox, I actually sit there, and I really try to get to everybody.
 
Michael: She reads everybody’s messages. 

Justine: I spent a lot of time reading… I read everybody's messages and I spend a lot of time on my responses. I like to be personal and make sure that you know, I'm answering everything that they want. So that's been a big plus.

Michael: For me, it's… the same thing, I just want to show… I just want to show the world and you know; we make mistakes. And as humans, we all make mistakes. Some mistakes are not publicized. You know, a lot of people break the law. I mean, you break the law, if you're driving over the speed limit, that is considered breaking the law, but you didn't crash into anybody. You didn't get pulled over, so you got away with it. So, I feel like people are quick to judge and point the fingers and put people down because they've never been through that experience. You know, other people who are more open to the fact that I just got released from prison and stuff are people who have dealt with that. Who have been in prison themselves, who have family members who've been in prison. Or are dealing with someone who is in prison, they're more receptive to you because they're going through your experience, you know, so I just want to show the world like, “Look, man, you know, I don't gotta go back to selling drugs, regardless of what anyone thinks.”  I have a platform. Now I'm using it for something positive. And I want to set an example, I want to set example for everyone who's to come home to say “Hey, I might not be on a TV show. But listen, I could do the right thing.” You know what I mean?

John Betancourt: What do you ultimately hope people take away from your time on this series?  

Michael: What I want people to take from this is that, like I said, I'll elaborate on it a little more, you know, for a guy to come home, after doing six years and have seventeen different crew members with cameras and mics and stuff can be overwhelming, I was willing to put myself through that. I didn't even have an hour with her alone. In the beginning. Like literally from the time, I walked out the door, our embrace has been on camera. So, you know, I was willing to sacrifice, because that's a sacrifice, I was willing to sacrifice these moments, and share them with the world, to inspire people. That's all it’s about. It's not about trying to get my music, because I'm gonna make a point here. And they can vouch for that. When I first got on the show, I told them, “I don't want to mix the music with the show, I want the show to be about our family. And I want the music thing for me to do it separately.” Because I didn't want people to think the only reason, he got on this thing was for the music, which was what a lot of people would think, you know? So, I just want people what I want people to take from this is just that, you know, change is possible. And then when you have your mind set on things and you execute, you see results.

Justine: I would just like to say, you know, not to give up on love, not to give up on our loved ones, our men or women that are in the system, you know, they're there, they've done their time, let's give them an opportunity to grow. Let's give them the benefit of the doubt at this point. You know, love can be found in some crazy places. And I'm really glad that I found mine.

John Betancourt: The last question I have for you today, what are you most proud of when it comes to your time in this franchise? 

Justine: I'm most proud of me being able to put out there how I am as a mom, how much I love my children. You know, the type of woman that I am. The fact that I was able to sit here for three and a half years, do the right thing, have his back, support him. Do all those things that can be really rare nowadays.

Michael: I mean, I'm most proud of… just to show how much I love her, just to show that you know that a man can treat a woman like a queen. And that it's part… like I said it's possible, to get out of the system and change your life. You know, once you have a strong woman behind you, the world is yours. I tell you that much. I tell you that much.

This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity. 

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