The 90 Day Fiancé franchise has showcased a number of problematic relationships over the years, leading viewers to accuse numerous cast members of indulging in mental manipulation. Since the franchise focuses on international couples, there are many instances of cultural differences that have led to misinterpretations and arguments. However, there have also been clear cases of 90 Day Fiancé franchise mind game manipulation. This type of devious conduct has been called out by audiences.
Initially, the franchise took a realistic look at the K-1 visa process that international partners joining their fiancés or fiancées in the United States were going through. Now, it's known for its drama. Some cast members have even been accused of physical violence over the years, including Larissa Lima and Anfisa Arkhipchenko. Others, such as Geoffrey Paschel, have disturbing criminal pasts that could point to future relationship issues. Additionally, family members are known to meddle in 90 Day Fiancé franchise relationships.
Physical violence has been rightfully condemned by audiences, and mental mistreatment is also a recurring theme. Most recently, 90 Day Fiance: Happily Ever After? cast member Angela Deem was put on blast for verbally abusing (and attempting to spy on) her husband. Tiffany Franco Smith also earned herself a bad rep after she consistently blasted her husband online and onscreen. Discover which franchise cast members get dragged for their mental manipulation tactics.
Big Ed Brown
Big Ed Brown is one cast member known for his perennially bad behavior. The older American enjoyed toying with his significantly younger partner, Rose Vega, on 90 Day Fiancé: Before The 90 Days. While courting the single mother, Big Ed would frequently be shockingly rude to her. He waited until there were cameras around to tell Rose her breath smelled bad and say that he didn’t like her hairy legs. Though Big Ed was trying to date Rose, he also insulted her family’s living situation on numerous occasions. Many viewers accused Big Ed of mistreating Rose, as he appeared to be "negging" her on a regular basis. To try to have a better shot at a romance with the younger woman, Big Ed attempted to lower her self-esteem. Fortunately, Rose saw through Ed’s games and broke up with him.
Tania Maduro
Tania Maduro is another cast member known for her chronically bad behavior. The wife of Syngin Colchester displayed consistently insensitive conduct towards her South African partner and has been accused of being manipulative and deceitful. The American woman was insensitive when it came to Syngin’s issues and acted as though she was better than him. Some viewers speculated that she was projecting a false image of being better than Syngin in order to manipulate him into feeling inadequate and staying with her. Viewers were also skeptical of the many tests that 90 Day Fiancé franchise star Tania put Syngin through. She forced her husband to prove himself to her.
Jesse Meester
Jesse Meester became a franchise villain due to the way he treated his now ex-girlfriend Darcey Silva on Before The 90 Days. Jesse and Darcey were a mismatched couple from the start, and their chaotic energies clashed over and over again. Though Darcey was no saint, Jesse appeared to manipulate his partner on multiple occasions. He worked to belittle Darcey with his words so that she would feel insignificant and dependent on him and his affection. Disturbingly, Jesse knew how to mistreat Darcey and also knew how to reel her back in before the two (fortunately) split for good. Many viewers found Jesse’s actions on Before the 90 Days concerning, rather than entertaining.
Andrew Kenton
Andrew Kenton showed his true colors once his relationship with the French beauty Amira Lollysa ended. The American daycare worker launched a smear campaign against his ex in an attempt to turn audiences against her. Andrew shared dozens of screenshots full of messages and personal information as he tried to paint Amira as a villain and brand her a fame-hungry user. Regardless of Amira’s behavior, viewers were disturbed by how intensely Andrew wanted viewers to dislike her. Many thought that he was displaying manipulative tactics since he wasn’t satisfied until he felt he had sufficiently exposed his ex-partner.
Stephanie Matto
Stephanie Matto made history for being part of the first same-sex relationship on 90 Day Fiancé: The Other Way, but many viewers accused her of lying to and misleading her partner Erika Owens. Stephanie proclaimed herself to be bisexual, yet when she arrived in Australia, she was shockingly cold to Erika. She didn’t want to engage in any physical intimacy. Since Stephanie was focusing on YouTube, many viewers speculated that she had feigned her sexuality in order to advance her Internet career. These rumors, as well as Stephanie’s frosty treatment of Erika, caused many viewers to dislike Stephanie and her storyline.
Paul And Karine Staehle
Paul and Karine Staehle are arguably the most troubled couple in the extended franchise. The married couple has split up and reconciled multiple times, with shocking allegations being made during their breaks. Each half of the couple has obtained a restraining order against their spouse, while Paul has accused Karine from HEA of cheating on him and fathering their boys with other men. Karine alleged abuse before retracting her statement and admitting that she lied. Many fans believe that Karine cannot stand her husband due to the way she acts around him on social media. Now, few franchise fans believe anything Paul has to say about himself, his wife, or his family.
Mike And Trish Youngquist
Not only is Mike Youngquist known for being mentally manipulative towards his wife Natalie Mordovtseva, but so is his mother Trish Youngquist. Trish memorably couldn’t stand Natalie long before the couple announced their split at the Happily Ever After Tell-All part 1 on Sunday. Natalie has tearfully had to deal with her mother-in-law's rude behavior, while Mike refused to believe his wife when she voiced her concerns. Viewers thought that 90 Day Fiancé franchise stars Mike and Trish were a very manipulative mother-son duo.