The 90 Day Fiancé franchise focuses on international romances, which has led to couples making an effort to get to know their partner’s culture. Though many of the American partners in particular have been blasted for failing to adapt to their partner’s culture or making an effort to understand their language, not all partners have displayed such behavior. A number of cast members stepped up to get to know their partner’s cultures, creating positive representations in the 90 Day Fiancé franchise.
While the initial concept of 90 Day Fiancé focused on foreign spouses joining their American partners in the United States on a K-1 visa, the extended franchise also includes Americans moving to their foreign partner’s country. Many of the American partners who move abroad have been more receptive to their partner’s mother tongue, culture, and way of life. Since they are willing to move around the world, they have generally been more accepting. However, some partners have still made a long move and displayed cultural ignorance.
Where partners met can also factor into their willingness to adapt. Cast members who met their spouse due to an interest in traveling and seeing other cultures are often more curious to learn. However, cast members who have been accused of bringing a foreign spouse to the United States because they couldn’t find an American partner are viewed more critically. Overall, learning the culture of one’s partner is viewed as a sign of respect even though not all of the following 90 Day Fiancé relationships are regarded in a positive light.
Angela Deem
Angela Deem is the prime example of a cast member who made an effort to adapt to her partner’s culture, though that didn’t make her a good spouse. While Angela is frequently called out by 90 Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After? viewers for her abusive behavior towards her spouse Michael Ilesanmi, Angela did show surprising acceptance when it came to trying to understand Michael’s culture. Angela is often compared to fellow cast member Lisa Hamme when it comes to cast members who have embarrassed American viewers. Unlike Lisa, however, Angela tried to understand Nigerian culture and the traditions of where Michael came from. However, Michael and Angela are heading towards a split.
Avery Mills
On the other hand, 90 Day Fiancé: Before The 90 Days star Avery Mills is applauded for making a strong effort to understand her husband Omar Albakour’s culture and for being a supportive wife. Viewers were initially skeptical of the young American woman’s plans to marry her Syrian partner and move to the Middle East with him. However, Avery proved everyone wrong by embracing Omar’s culture and gracefully adapting to life in Dubai. Though Avery and Omar share the same religion, Avery also made sure to understand Islam since she converted. Despite her young age, Avery has been hailed as one of the most respectful and culturally sensitive American partners in the entire franchise. Omar and Avery are also highly regarded among franchise fans.
Kalani Fagaata
Kalani Fagaata is another American spouse who went out of her way to embrace her partner’s culture. For Kalani, embracing her husband Asuelu Pulaa’s Sāmoan culture was not too difficult since Kalani is half Sāmoan. However, there was still more for Kalani to learn since she grew up in the United States unlike Asuelu. Though Asuelu’s family has accused Kalani of being too American, viewers find Kalani to be a spouse who is open to learning. Kalani uses her social media to highlight the Sāmoan people and Sāmoan culture. She is one cast member who is proud of her heritage and makes sure to pass her husband’s culture down to their children as well. Kalani is considered one of the most generous and kind cast members as well.
Jenny Slatten
Jenny Slatten might not have started out as willing to adapt, as the cultural differences and Sumit Singh's deceptions hit her hard when she first arrived in India. However, the older American has surprised 90 Day Fiancé: The Other Way viewers with how far she’s willing to go to make her relationship with Sumit work. Jenny and Sumit have not had an easy time due to his initial deception and his parents' outright disapproval. Teasers for The Other Way season 3 reveal that Sumit’s parents have hatched the plan that Sumit’s mother will move in with the couple and train Jenny how to be a more traditional Indian wife. Jenny and Sumit might have a complicated relationship, but Jenny is going the distance to adapt for Sumit and become his wife. The same cannot be said for many other franchise couples.
Tim Clarkson
Tim Clarkson has a historically rocky relationship with Melyza Zeta. However, the The Other Way couple has continued to make things work despite infidelity on both sides. Tim made the choice to pack up his bags and move to Colombia to be with Melyza. Although he didn’t speak Spanish, Tim began learning the language and attempting to adapt to life in a new country. Many viewers disliked the couple, though Tim avoided the stereotype of being a culturally ignorant American by embracing his partner’s culture and making an effort to learn.
Libby Castravet
Libby Castravet and her husband Andrei might be called out for many reasons, but their marriage is actually not one of them. The couple appeared as a united front on Happily Ever After season 6 even as Libby’s family caused plenty of drama for them. Libby and Andrei came across as the season’s most successful marriage because they appear to make an effort for each other. Libby has undertaken the difficult task of learning Romanian for her Moldovan husband. They have also shared that while Libby speaks to their daughter in English, Andrei talks to her in Romanian to respect his culture and share it with their daughter.
Ariela Weinberg
Ariela Weinberg proved to be one of the more open Americans to appear on The Other Way. The American fell for Biniyam Shibre and moved to Ethiopia to be with her partner. Ariela’s free-spirited attitude sometimes clashed with Biniyam, but the American has shown that she is open-minded and eager to experience different cultures. Though the couple is shown to have some potentially relationship-ending disagreements on The Other Way season 3, many 90 Day Fiancé viewers believe the couple will be able to overcome their pasts and work things out.