Summary
- The original pitch for 90 Day Fiancé was rejected by multiple networks before it found success, as the show was considered too male for female networks and too female for male networks.
- Most 90 Day Fiancé cast members are not paid much for their appearances on the show, with some only earning $1,000 to $1,500 per episode. International partners do not receive any payment without a work permit.
- Some scenes on 90 Day Fiancé are scripted or manipulated to create drama, and producers are known to provoke the cast off-camera to capture intense moments. Conversations and confrontations can also be edited to create a certain narrative or context.
The 90 Day Fiancé franchise has become a success since the original series premiered in 2014, but there are many fascinating secrets and unknown facts to be uncovered. Over the years, 90 Day Fiancé has expanded to introduce hundreds of international couples through spin-offs like 90 Day Fiancé: Before The 90 Days, 90 Day Fiancé: The Other Way, and 90 Day: The Single Life. While many flames fizzle once they attempt to integrate their lives, others successfully marry and become parents.
With enough entertainment and drama to last for years, 90 Day Fiancé and its multiple spin-offs have continued to produce new seasons at a rapid pace. 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days season 6 is currently airing, and 90 Day Fiancé: The Other Way season 5 premiered July 10. While the premise of 90 Day Fiancé may appear simple on the outside, a lot more goes on behind the scenes. Here are some facts and secrets about the 90 Day Fiancé franchise that may surprise casual viewers and long-time fans.
Related: 90 Day Fiancé: All Cast Members Who Were Absent From Tell-All Reunions
Multiple Networks Originally Rejected 90 Day Fiancé
Although 90 Day Fiancé has become one of reality TV's most successful franchises, it almost didn't make it on television. In 2017, executive producer Matt Sharp revealed to Kate Casey on her podcast, Reality Life With Kate Casey, that 90 Day Fiancé was first pitched with the titles International Love and Bachelor Wars: Russia, but predominantly gendered networks weren't sold until the idea caught the attention of Matt's friend, a producer. "We went around town to all the different networks…all the female networks looked at [90 Day Fiancé] and thought it felt too male, and all the male networks thought it felt too female," Matt explained.
90 Day Fiancé Cast Members Don't Get Paid Much (Or At All)
While several 90 Day Fiancé stars like David Murphey and Darcey Silva are reported millionaires, most cast members' net worths are nowhere near six figures. However, other reality shows like the Real Housewives franchise are known to pay cast members up to $1 million per season; multiple sources like Radar Online report that 90 Day Fiance stars are only paid $1,000 to $1,500 per episode. In comparison, those on Before The 90 Days get even less at $500 to $1,000 per episode. If that isn't bad enough, only the American 90 Day Fiancé cast members are paid this amount; their international partners don't get paid without a specific work permit.
Several 90 Day Fiancé Stars Had Previous TV Experience
Although the 90 Day Fiancé franchise is known to showcase cast members' tumultuous personal lives, it's not unusual for reality personalities to exaggerate or force their actions when the cameras turn on. 90 Day Fiancé and its popular spin-off shows have introduced hundreds of individuals who were unknown to the public before they appeared on the hit TV show.
Still, there have also been several stars who had previous film and television experience. Geoffrey Paschel, sentenced to 18 years in prison, appeared in several crime dramas before he met Varya Melina. Other 90 Day Fiancé stars with acting credits before being cast include Elizabeth "Libby" Potthast, Stephanie Matto, and Natalie Mordovtseva.
Many 90 Day Fiancé Scenes Are Partially Scripted
While several unexpected moments have been filmed throughout 90 Day Fiancé, such as when Karine Staehle was mugged in Brazil, not every scene is as authentic. Since 90 Day Fiancé's debut, multiple cast members like Mohamed Jbali, Larissa Dos Santos Lima, and Deavan Clegg have called out the franchise's many scripted scenes. Whether the 90 Day Fiancé stars must film the same scene or conversation multiple times or are edited to be portrayed differently than what happened, many funny, emotional, or awkward moments on 90 Day Fiancé may seem genuine but are reshot until the producers are satisfied with the material.
90 Day Fiancé Producers Intentionally Provoke The Cast
90 Day Fiancé is one of the most dramatic franchises out there, and when it comes to conflict, some of the worst traits of cast members are filmed. Over the years, many 90 Day Fiancé stars have engaged in some serious verbal and physical altercations, such as Larissa's arrest for domestic battery days before she married Colt Johnson, as well as Bilal Hazziez's treatment of Shaeeda Sween throughout 90 Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After? season 7.
However, producers are thought to provoke the cast off-camera to capture some of the most significant 90 Day Fiancé moments. It was shocking when Biniyam Shibre's sister, Wish, threw a glass of wine on Ariela Weinberg. After the scene aired, Biniyam's other sister, Mimi, alleged in an Instagram Story reshared by In Touch that they were egged on.
Conversations On 90 Day Fiancé Are Edited To Create Drama
There's no doubt the crew puts in a lot of work to produce, but one aspect that slides under the radar is the dialogue. While several conversations and confrontations throughout 90 Day Fiancé and its spin-offs are authentic, such as when Anfisa Arkhipchenko discovered Jorge Nava visited a divorce lawyer, several cast members have complained that their words were being taken out of context. David Toborowsky's friend Chris Thieneman was criticized after he appeared to ask David's wife, Annie Suwan, for massages in exchange for a place to live. In a YouTube video from 2018, Chris and his wife, Nikki Cooper, claimed that the director told Chris to ask this when they reshot the scene.
90 Day Fiancé Cast Members Pay For Their Own Flights
There's a lot of travel that goes into the 90 Day Fiancé franchise. However, cast members pay for those trips themselves. The network doesn't just pay the 90 Day Fiancé stars a meager amount per episode, but multiple sources and cast members have confirmed in reports that the network only covers plane tickets for the dramatic 90 Day Fiance Tell-All reunions.
Deavan claimed in a now-deleted YouTube vlog from 2020 that the 90 Day Fiancé cast members must pay out of pocket to travel. Even Karine and Paul Staehle alleged they don't pay for "travel, lodging, or on-screen translators" in a 2018 GoFundMe shared by In Touch. While many 90 Day Fiancé stars have the franchise to thank for their popularity, much more happens behind the scenes than viewers think.
Sources: Reality Life With Kate Casey, Radar Online, In Touch, Nikki O/YouTube, In Touch
