Mike Berk from 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days has been the subject of intense criticism throughout season 5, but whether he earned it or not, the 90 Day Fiancé franchise star feels like he’s reached his “breaking point.” Though he used to partake in some of the lighthearted memes that were made about him, Mike’s controversial words and actions during his breakup with ex-fiancé Ximena Morales sparked a new wave of disapproval. It appears he’s having trouble facing the backlash, and he spoke out about it on Instagram.
At the start of 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days season 5, fans enjoyed making jokes about Mike because he was awkward and clueless but seemed ultimately harmless. However, as the season progressed, viewers began to see a darker side to Mike. In recent episodes, Ximena made it clear to Mike that she is no longer in love with him and has zero interest in continuing their relationship. Despite being told multiple times he's not wanted, Mike pitched a fit and refused to leave Ximena’s apartment because he paid her rent. Mike got nasty with Ximena and condemned her previous work as a cam girl, despite the fact that he met her as one of her paying customers. Fans were understandably disgusted with Mike’s behavior and have been mercilessly criticizing him ever since.
Viewers may be enjoying their Mike roasting, but the reality star definitely isn’t. On Instagram, he claimed that the constant criticism is impacting his mental health. “Dear God: I’m not okay, I’m not myself, I’m drained,” Mike said in one of his Instagram Stories. He also stressed the importance of mental health and the way his has been affected as a result of appearing on the show. “All the memes and Internet jokes have lasting effects,” he commented, adding that the “ridicule and abuse” from “blogs, socials, TV and articles” were breaking him down.
The fan response to Mike has gone from light roasting to vicious condemnation, and it appears that the whiplash from becoming the Before the 90 Days season 5 villain is taking a toll on Mike. Every aspect of his behavior on and off the show has been scrutinized by viewers and the media, which can be very difficult to endure. Nothing in Mike’s previous life could have prepared him for being the target of the 90 Day Fiancé franchise fandom’s judgment and rage. It’s understandable that Mike is having trouble coping, and he’s not the first franchise star who has dealt with hostile fans.
However, there are many viewers who would argue that the criticism Mike has received is entirely deserved. Though Mike may feel used by Ximena, that doesn’t excuse his unreasonable behavior and comments. Fans thought Mike was disrespectful and intimidating by refusing to leave Ximena’s apartment, and he was called out for hypocritically judging Ximena’s past work. Mike has also caught a lot of heat for his extremely offensive past social media behavior, for which he still has not apologized. Mike is feeling the sting of fans’ barbed jokes and heated discussions, but most of it was prompted by his own problematic actions.
It’s no doubt difficult for Mike to endure the disapproval crashing down on him, and the 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days star is understandably having a hard time. Mental health is an important thing to maintain, and right now the constant criticism is taking its toll on him. However, these struggles probably won’t gain him much sympathy from fans who feel Mike has made his bed and must now lay in it.
90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days airs Sundays at 8 p.m. EDT on TLC.
Source: Mike Berk/Instagram