Brandi Passante is an American reality television star and businesswoman best known as an original buyer on A&E’s Storage Wars. She became a breakout personality through her disciplined bidding approach, building a sustained career across entertainment and resale.
Her public story is marked by notable personal and professional milestones. She managed independent retail operations, resolved high-profile legal matters in court, and transitioned into a solo bidder on television.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Verified Information |
| Full Name | Brandi Leigh Passante |
| Date of Birth | May 16, 1980 |
| Age | 46 years old (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Harris County, Texas, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Reality Television Personality, Resale Businesswoman |
| Breakout Role | Original Cast Member / Buyer on A&E’s Storage Wars (Debuted 2010) |
| Television Spin-Off | Brandi & Jarrod: Married to the Job (2014) |
| Former Longtime Partner | Jarrod Schulz (Together 1999–2018; never legally married) |
| Children | Cameron Schulz (Son), Payton Schulz (Daughter) |
| Former Business | Now and Then Second Hand Store (Orange & Long Beach, California) |
| Legal Landmark | Won federal defamation & privacy judgment against Hunter Moore (2013) |
| Key Controversy | April 2021 Lake Forest altercation resulting in domestic battery charge against Jarrod Schulz |
| Current Relationship | Clifford Beaver (In a confirmed relationship) |
| Residence | Orange County, California |
Who Is Brandi Passante?
Brandi Passante is an American reality TV personality who became famous as one of the original buyers on Storage Wars in 2010. In interviews with A&E, she explained that the show changed her career from running a small resale business to becoming a well-known television personality.
Before appearing on television, Passante worked in customer service and cleaning management before entering the secondhand resale market. Producers selected her after seeing her retail presence alongside Jarrod Schulz in Orange County, California. Her practical bidding strategy made her a central figure across multiple seasons of the franchise.
Life With Jarrod Schulz and Their Relationship
Brandi Passante and Jarrod Schulz were longtime partners who shared two children, but they never legally married. Brandi confirmed during the Storage Wars Season 13 premiere that they had already separated years before returning to the show as independent buyers.
Their relationship began in 1999 and lasted nearly two decades. Although their 2014 spin-off Brandi & Jarrod: Married to the Job centered around wedding planning, the pair never filed for a marriage license. They ended their relationship in November 2018 while continuing to co-parent their son, Cameron, and daughter, Payton.
The Hunter Moore Defamation Lawsuit
Brandi Passante won legal action after Hunter Moore falsely claimed an explicit video featured her. California court records confirmed the lawsuit ended with a judgment in Passante’s favor, establishing that the video did not depict her.
Passante filed a federal lawsuit in 2012 seeking damages against Moore, the operator of the website IsAnyoneUp, for privacy invasion and defamation. The federal judge granted a permanent injunction against Moore and awarded Passante statutory damages alongside attorney fees, resolving the claims in her favor.
Storage Wars Season 13 and Life After the Split
Season 13 marked Brandi Passante’s first full season as an independent buyer after her breakup with Jarrod Schulz. During the season premiere, she publicly confirmed the relationship had ended and focused on building her own identity on the show.
The season featured direct bidding competition between the former partners, with Passante pursuing lockers independently. She noted in media interviews that operating as a solo bidder allowed her full autonomy over budgeting and purchasing decisions without shared business partnerships.
The 2021 Orange County Bar Incident
A 2021 confrontation between Brandi Passante and Jarrod Schulz led to Jarrod being charged with misdemeanor domestic violence battery. Court records and news coverage show the incident became a major turning point in both their personal lives and their Storage Wars careers.
The incident occurred at a Lake Forest, California tavern on April 30, 2021, when a verbal argument escalated into physical contact. The Orange County District Attorney’s Office subsequently charged Schulz. Following the incident, Schulz did not return to film future episodes of the series.
Why the “Now and Then” Thrift Store Closed
Brandi Passante eventually stepped away from the Now and Then thrift store because operating a retail business alongside television filming became difficult. In a 2025 A&E interview, she said she now prefers selling items online and through storage auction finds instead of managing a physical store.
The original storefront operated out of Orange, California, with a secondary expansion previously launched in Long Beach. Increasing overhead costs and long production days made maintaining a brick-and-mortar facility unsustainable, prompting a permanent shift toward digital resale channels.
Life After Storage Wars: Business, Interviews, and Clifford Beaver
Brandi Passante remains active on Storage Wars while expanding her work through resale businesses, interviews, and public appearances. She has also publicly shared parts of her relationship with Clifford Beaver through social media while continuing to focus on her career.
In addition to television work, Passante has partnered with charitable organizations focusing on domestic violence awareness, including Women’s Own Worth. Her verified public appearances document her ongoing focus on personal projects, family life, and independent commercial ventures.
FAQs
Who is Brandi Passante?
Reality TV personality and businesswoman. She gained international prominence as an original cast member and buyer on A&E’s long-running series Storage Wars.
Were Brandi Passante and Jarrod Schulz ever married?
No — they were never legally married. Despite wedding planning shown on their spin-off series, they never obtained a marriage license before separating in 2018.
What was the Hunter Moore lawsuit about?
A fabricated adult video. Passante successfully sued Moore for defamation and privacy violation, securing a federal judgment confirming the material was entirely fake.
Why did Jarrod Schulz leave Storage Wars?
Following criminal battery charges. Orange County prosecutors charged Schulz with misdemeanor domestic violence battery after an April 2021 incident involving Passante.
Why did the Now and Then thrift store close?
Commercial costs and filming commitments. Balancing full-time reality television production with retail inventory management made maintaining the physical storefront impractical.
Who is Brandi Passante dating?
Clifford Beaver. Passante has shared verified social media updates documenting their relationship while maintaining an independent personal and professional schedule.
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