João Franco's Dating Life Has Changed Since Below Deck Down Under

Nearly four years after he last appeared on Below Deck Mediterranean, João Franco is back on our screens as a bosun on Below Deck Down Under Season 2.

A lot has changed for João since he last worked with Captain Sandy Yawn — including becoming a captain himself — and a few major things have shifted in his personal life since he worked alongside Captain Jason Chambers in Australia. 

João Franco's Dating Life Today

Though João was single and exploring his connection with Chef Tzarina Mace-Ralph on Below Deck Down Under Season 2, he is now in a relationship with Domi Tiesi.

Domi is a member of the yachting industry as well, and she's currently working alongside João on the same boat. The duo celebrated their first anniversary as a couple on June 12.

"[One] YEAR ** I fell for you so quick and so strong, there was no turning back even after the first week and I feel the same way now," Domi wrote on Instagram to commemorate the relationship milestone. "I never thought a year can pass by so quickly. If you love every moment of it, it just flies by... we have traveled to over 20 countries, lived in 2 and are now exploring the seas together working side by side. I love you and our adventures and can’t wait for all the years to come."

In July, João shared a relationship update of his own — which also doubled as a work update. 

"[Sixteen] hour passages between Italy and Montenegro made easy with this lady's company," João wrote in the caption of his post, which was a selfie of him and Domi. "[T]ook the vessel for her maiden voyage!! We could have done it in 9 hours but we took it easy[.] Let the season begin!"

João Franco's Past Engagement

When João traveled to New York City to film the Below Deck Mediterranean Season 3 reunion back in 2018, he met a dental hygienist named Michelle Dicu.

The pair began dating, and João popped the question in March of 2020. Due to travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, João and Michelle weren't able to see each other for a while after they got engaged. 

Fast-forward to June 2021, and João revealed that he was no longer engaged.

"It feels so good to be back on track," he wrote in the caption of an Instagram post at the time. "As I am sure most of you have gathered, I am no longer engaged. I haven’t been for a long time and also haven’t felt the need to share it until I was ready. Firstly, I absolutely loved the bombshell of a lady I was with. She was nothing short of extraordinary and so crazy beautiful!!! She truly deserves the world. Through the hardships of COVID, career paths and distance we didn’t make it through. I truly wish we could have and will never regret nor forget the love we had for each other. It is sad to be strangers after being so close but, it is what it is, isn’t it.  Happy is she and happy am I. That’s all that matters."

Now, just a few years later, João is happily in love with his girlfriend Domi!