Over a decade ago, Amber Rasmussen met Brandon Johnson on Tinder and instantly fell for him. Despite his ex-wife, Athena Klingerman, constantly causing drama, Rasmussen overlooked the warning signs and married Johnson in 2017. However, their marriage quickly unraveled as Johnson’s true colors were revealed.
Paramount’s latest true-crime docuseries, “Don’t Date Brandon,” delves into Johnson’s web of lies and deceit. From pretending to work for Nike to faking cancer and engaging in numerous affairs, Johnson’s manipulative behavior knew no bounds. He even went as far as creating a fake coparenting app to deceive both Rasmussen and Klingerman about his interactions with his daughter.
The three-part docuseries follows Rasmussen’s journey of uncovering Johnson’s lies, leaving him, and facing harassment post-divorce. Despite years of alleged suicide threats, stalking, and legal battles, Rasmussen and Klingerman eventually connected to expose the truth about their shared ex-husband. They launched the podcast “Ex-Wives Undercover,” which led to more victims coming forward and shedding light on Johnson’s dark past.
In a surprising turn of events, Johnson was arrested in 2023 and sentenced to 10 years in prison for assault, attempted kidnapping with intent to sexually assault, and multiple counts of attempted first-degree theft in a fraud case. Rasmussen and Klingerman sat down with Variety to discuss the docuseries and their feelings about Johnson’s potential parole in 2027.
Despite concerns about Johnson’s release, Rasmussen and Klingerman are determined to spread awareness about his abusive behavior. They hope that by sharing their story, they can prevent others from falling victim to someone like Johnson. While they cannot change the legal outcome, they believe that shedding light on his actions may lead to a more vigilant approach by law enforcement in the future.
Ultimately, Rasmussen and Klingerman feel that they have fulfilled their mission by warning others about Johnson. Their podcast and docuseries serve as a cautionary tale for anyone considering a relationship with a manipulative and abusive individual like Johnson. By sharing their experiences, they empower others to prioritize their safety and well-being above all else.
