The reality TV cycle is brutal. One minute you're the breakout star of a hit E! spinoff like WAGS Miami, and the next, the cameras stop rolling, the contracts expire, and the public starts wondering if you’re still with that famous linebacker or if you’ve retreated into a "normal" life. For Claudia Sampedro, the transition from reality TV lightning rod to a long-term entrepreneur and family anchor has been a lot quieter than the drama-filled episodes of 2016 might have suggested.
Honestly, if you remember the show, you probably remember the "Kim Kardashian lookalike" labels and the intense scrutiny over her relationship with NFL legend Julius Peppers. But 2026 looks a lot different for Claudia than those neon-lit Miami nights. She isn’t just a former reality star; she’s a case study in how to leverage 15 minutes of fame into a decade of staying power.
The WAGS Miami Era: More Than Just a Lookalike
When Claudia first appeared on our screens, the narrative was fixed. She was the stunning, Cuban-born model who looked so much like a certain Calabasas billionaire that the internet practically broke. People tuned in for the aesthetic, but stayed for the bluntness. Claudia didn't play the "submissive girlfriend" role that some expected in the hyper-competitive world of Wives and Girlfriends of professional athletes.
She was already a veteran of the industry before the show. At 16, she was scouted by John Casablancas. She’d already been in a Pitbull video ("Don't Stop the Party") and graced covers like Mixed Magazine. By the time E! came calling, she wasn't some wide-eyed newcomer. She was a woman who had worked in a plastic surgeon’s office, studied cosmetology, and knew exactly how the "image" business functioned.
The show focused heavily on the tension between the "Wives" and the "Girlfriends." Remember the hierarchy? If you didn't have a ring, you were technically on the periphery. Claudia, despite the pressure to secure a proposal from Julius Peppers, seemed to operate on her own timeline. That independence is probably why she’s one of the few cast members people still actively search for years after the show was canceled.
The Julius Peppers Connection: Are They Still Together?
This is the question that hits the search bars every single week. Julius Peppers is a Pro Football Hall of Famer, a man who built a defensive legacy with the Panthers, Bears, and Packers. He’s also notoriously private.
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While the show tried to make "marriage talk" an awkward, central plot point, the reality is that Claudia and Julius have built a remarkably stable blended family. They’ve been together since roughly 2014. In the world of athlete relationships—which usually have the shelf life of a carton of milk—that’s basically an eternity.
They share a son, Amare, born in 2015. But what’s cooler is how they’ve handled their blended family. Both had children from previous relationships (Claudia has a daughter, Keana Skye, and a son, Elijah Fayson; Julius has a daughter). On social media, you don’t see the "WAGS" drama anymore. You see family vacations, fitness routines, and a level of domesticity that the show’s producers probably would have found "too boring" to film.
Beyond the Screen: WPOISE and the Fitness Pivot
If you want to know what most people get wrong about Claudia from WAGS Miami, it’s the idea that she’s just an influencer living off an NFL pension.
She launched WPOISE years ago, and unlike many celebrity brands that fold after six months, she actually stuck with it. It’s a fitness-heavy lifestyle brand. This wasn't a random choice—Claudia’s brand has always been built on her physique. She was doing "belfies" before the term was even a thing.
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The transition to fitness entrepreneur was a smart play. By 2026, the "glamour model" era has largely faded, replaced by the "wellness guru" era. Claudia leaned into her Cuban roots and her Miami upbringing to market a specific kind of high-energy, aesthetics-focused fitness.
- Entrepreneurship: She moved from "hired face" to "business owner."
- Consistency: She’s maintained a massive Instagram following (well over 1 million) without needing a TV show to prop it up.
- Niche: She focused on "fitness for moms" and blended families, which resonated with her aging fan base.
The "New Kardashian" Label: A Blessing or a Curse?
Early on, the comparison to Kim Kardashian was inescapable. It helped her get noticed, sure. But it also boxed her in. Fans would spend more time comparing their hairlines or outfit choices than listening to what Claudia was actually saying.
Kinda frustrating, right?
In the years since the show, she’s drifted away from that shadow. She’s leaned more into her natural Cuban heritage and a less "curated" look. While she still loves the glamour, there’s a grit to her fitness content that feels more authentic than the 2016 version of herself. She’s even been open about her love for video games—specifically Fortnite—which is a weirdly endearing trait for a "glamour model."
What We Can Learn From Her Career Path
So, what’s the actionable takeaway from following Claudia Sampedro’s journey? It’s about the "Pivot."
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- Don’t get stuck in the "WAG" box. Claudia used the platform to launch a brand (WPOISE) that outlasted the show. If you're using a platform for exposure, have a product ready before the spotlight fades.
- Blended families require work. She’s been very vocal about how she and Julius managed to merge their families. It’s not always pretty, but it’s real.
- Monetize your strengths. She knew her "abs" were her selling point, so she built a business around the routines that created them.
The reality is that Claudia Sampedro didn't need a Season 3 of WAGS Miami. She’d already gotten what she needed: a massive audience and the momentum to build a life that didn't depend on an E! Network camera crew. Whether she’s gaming with her kids or running a fashion line, she’s stayed relevant by being more than just a face in the crowd.
To keep up with her current ventures, focus on her fitness programming rather than old reality TV clips. The 2026 version of Claudia is a lot more interesting than the one we saw arguing at a Miami brunch eight years ago. Focus on her current workout releases and the WPOISE collection updates if you’re looking for the most current, relevant way to support her brand.