You remember them as the "Young Guns." For over a decade, Brandi Passante and Jarrod Schulz were the bickering, lovable heart of A&E’s Storage Wars. They had this specific dynamic—Jarrod would want to overspend on a locker full of literal trash, and Brandi would roll her eyes so hard you’d think they’d get stuck. It felt real.
But behind the scenes? Things were messy.
Honestly, the timeline of their split is where most people get confused. On screen, they looked like a package deal well into 2018. Then, suddenly, they weren't. If you’ve been wondering why Jarrod vanished from the show or if they ever actually tied the knot, you aren't alone. The truth involves a quiet breakup, a bar fight, and a complete rebranding for the woman who spent twenty years in a shadow.
The Breakup No One Saw Coming
Here is the thing about reality TV: it’s delayed.
Brandi Passante and Jarrod Schulz actually called it quits back in 2018, right after they finished filming Season 12. We didn't find out for two years. While fans were watching reruns of them bidding together, they were already living separate lives.
When Season 13 finally premiered in April 2021, Brandi just dropped the bomb in a confessional. "I'm not with Jarrod anymore," she said. Simple. Brutal.
They had been together since 1999. Think about that. Twenty years is a lifetime, especially in the spotlight. Even though they starred in a spinoff called Married to the Job in 2014, they never actually got married. No rings, no legal paperwork, just two decades of shared history and two kids, Cameron and Payton.
Why the Split?
Brandi has been surprisingly open about how she felt during those final years. In a few interviews, she hinted at feeling like she didn't have an "identity" while she was with Jarrod. Basically, she was half of a duo rather than her own person.
The house was reportedly "calmer" after he left. That’s a heavy word to use about a long-term partner.
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The Bar Incident and Jarrod’s Exit
If you’re wondering why Jarrod isn't on the latest seasons of Storage Wars, it isn't just because of the breakup. Things took a turn for the worse in April 2021.
Reports surfaced that Brandi was at a bar in Orange County with friends when Jarrod showed up. A massive argument broke out. According to law enforcement reports at the time, Jarrod allegedly shoved Brandi twice.
He was eventually charged with misdemeanor domestic violence battery.
A&E never put out a massive press release about it, but Jarrod hasn't been a main cast member since Season 13. The "Young Guns" brand was dead. While the show moved on with old favorites like Barry Weiss and Dave Hester returning, Jarrod became a footnote in the show's history.
Where Brandi Passante is Now in 2026
Fast forward to today. Brandi is effectively the face of the franchise.
She’s lean, she’s smiling, and she’s dating someone new. Her current partner, Clifford Beaver, is a guy she’s been posting about quite a bit. He owns a spot called Our Place Bar & Grill, and by all accounts, he’s the polar opposite of the "grumpy" persona we saw from Jarrod on TV.
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- Primary Caregiver: Brandi has mentioned she has the kids "24/7."
- The Look: Fans have noticed a total style shift—she’s more colorful, more relaxed.
- Career: She’s still a staple on the show, which moved to an hour-long format recently to keep up with streaming trends.
She’s also dealt with some heavy stuff, like the loss of her father and a bizarre "revenge porn" lawsuit years ago where someone tried to claim she was in a video she never filmed. She won that case, by the way, though the payout was famously tiny.
The Reality of Reality TV Relationships
It’s easy to judge from the couch. We see 22 minutes of edited footage and think we know how a couple works. But the Brandi and Jarrod story is a reminder that the "playful bickering" we find entertaining can sometimes be a mask for real tension.
The show made them famous, but it also probably made it harder to leave. When your paycheck depends on you being part of a couple, you might stay in something longer than you should.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're looking to catch up or see where the former couple stands today, here is the best way to navigate the "post-breakup" era of the show:
- Watch Season 13: This is the "cringe" season where they both show up to auctions but refuse to speak to each other. It’s a fascinating, if slightly uncomfortable, look at how exes handle a shared workplace.
- Follow Brandi’s Socials: If you want the truth about her life, her Instagram is much more authentic than the show. She posts about her kids (who are basically adults now) and her travels.
- Check the Credits: Jarrod still owns business interests, but don't expect a TV comeback anytime soon. The industry has a low tolerance for the legal issues he faced in 2021.
Ultimately, the saga of Brandi and Jarrod is a classic "life happens" story. People grow apart. Sometimes that growth is loud and messy, and sometimes it's just a quiet realization that you're better off on your own. Brandi seems to have found her footing, and the storage units are still being auctioned off, with or without the "Young Guns" tag.