You’ve seen the headlines, right? DeVon Franklin is officially off the market. Again.
It feels like just yesterday the internet was collectively mourning the end of his marriage to Meagan Good. They were the poster couple for "The Wait," the duo that made celibacy and faith look like a Hollywood blockbuster. But things change. People grow. And sometimes, they grow apart.
The Hawaii Proposal That Started It All
So, here’s the tea on how it went down. DeVon Franklin got engaged to Maria Castillo on December 27, 2024.
He didn't just do a casual dinner or a quiet moment at home. No, he went full "Hollywood producer" on the vibe. They were in Maui, staying at The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua. He told Maria they were just doing a romantic photoshoot.
Classic move.
While the cameras were clicking and the Hawaiian sun was setting, he dropped to one knee. Maria, who is a celebrity fitness trainer and honestly seems like a breath of fresh air, was completely caught off guard. She later told People magazine she was still in awe of how it all happened.
DeVon called her one of "God’s greatest blessings." You can tell he’s smitten. It’s that kind of deep, intentional love he’s always talked about in his books, but this time it feels different. It feels like a second chance he wasn't sure he’d get.
Who Exactly is Maria Castillo?
If you aren't scrolling through fitness Instagram, you might not know Maria.
She isn't just "the new fiancée" (and now wife). She’s a powerhouse in the wellness space. She’s Afro-Latina, specifically of Dominican descent, and she brings a whole new cultural energy to DeVon’s life.
Honestly, it’s kinda cool to see him embrace this. He’s been learning Spanish and even mentioned that he wants their future kids to be trilingual—English, Spanish, and French.
They met through a mutual friend, Mike Trusdale, over brunch. It wasn't some high-profile red carpet meet-cute. It was just two people getting introduced by a friend who thought they’d click. They were inseparable pretty much from day one.
The Timeline of Their Romance
- Late 2023: Met through Mike Trusdale.
- October 2024: First public appearance at The Pink Awards.
- November 2024: Confirmed the relationship at the Merge Awards.
- December 2024: The Maui engagement.
- August 2025: The big wedding in Beverly Hills.
Moving Past the Meagan Good Chapter
You can't talk about DeVon Franklin being engaged without mentioning Meagan. It’s the elephant in the room.
Their divorce in 2021 was a shock to the system for a lot of folks who looked up to them. Meagan has been pretty open lately, saying DeVon was the one who actually initiated the split. She’s moved on too—she married Jonathan Majors recently.
It’s a lot. Hollywood is small, isn't it?
DeVon didn't just jump into this new thing. He’s talked a lot about the "nights alone in a West Hollywood hotel" and the therapy it took to get his head right. He admitted his belief system was shaken. When you're a preacher who wrote the book on relationships, a divorce feels like a public failure.
But he’s been adamant that the marriage wasn't "unsuccessful." It just finished its season.
The Wedding: Beyond the Engagement
While the world was still buzzing about him being engaged, DeVon and Maria didn't wait long to seal the deal.
They got married on August 2, 2025, at Casa Lago in Beverly Hills. It was a lakeside ceremony that was "deeply spiritual," which is exactly what you’d expect from him.
The coolest part? The "culinary fusion." They served a mix of Southern soul food and Dominican dishes. Think fried chicken meets mangu. It sounds incredible.
They also had a "hora loca" at the reception. That’s a Dominican tradition—a "crazy hour" with stilt walkers, dancers, and wild lights. It’s a far cry from the more buttoned-up image we saw of DeVon in years past. He seems… lighter.
What This Means for Your Own Relationship Goals
DeVon is still the "relationship guy," even if the path he took wasn't a straight line.
If you’re looking at his journey and wondering what to take away from it, it’s basically this: healing isn't optional. He didn't just find Maria and magically feel better. He did the work.
He’s also leaning into the idea of "verbalizing commitment." He famously said that calling someone "my girl" is a vow in itself. It’s not just a casual label.
He’s showing that you can experience a massive, public "failure" and still find something beautiful on the other side.
Actionable Takeaways for Your Life
- Audit your healing. If you're coming out of a breakup, don't rush. DeVon took years to process the Meagan split before he went public with Maria.
- Embrace new cultures. Whether it’s learning a language for a partner or trying new food, being open to your partner’s world changes the relationship dynamic for the better.
- Don't fear the "second act." Just because one version of your life ended doesn't mean the next one can't be even more vibrant.
- Keep it private until it’s solid. Notice they were together for a while before the big "engagement" announcement? There's wisdom in that.
DeVon and Maria are currently navigating married life, but the story of how they got engaged remains a testament to the fact that love usually finds you when you're actually ready for it, not just when you're lonely.
Stop looking for "the one" and start looking at how you can be the best version of yourself. The rest usually follows.