’90 Day Fiancé’: It’s Time for TLC to Fire Angela Deem
Has Angela Deem finally gone too far?
Angela, a 58-year-old Georgia grandmother, has been a divisive figure ever since she first appeared on 90 Day Fiancé back in 2018. But in the latest season of 90 Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After?, her outrageous behavior toward her Nigerian husband Michael Ilesanmi hit a new low. Her onscreen antics, including snatching her husband’s phone and hiring a PI to investigate him, culminated in serious off-screen drama. Just months after he arrived in the U.S., Michael fled his wife’s home. The two are now embroiled in a nasty legal battle that should put an end to their time on the TLC show.
Angela Deem is a controversial ‘90 Day Fiancé’ star
Angela has been stirring up controversy in the 90 Day Fiancé universe for years. From giving Michael a MAGA hat when she first visited him in Africa to her DUI arrest to her generally erratic and aggressive conduct toward her husband and other people, she’s been a lightning rod since day one.
But Angela’s brash, larger-than-life personality also makes her an ideal reality TV star. Though her shocking behavior often raises eyebrows, the show tempered those moments with scenes that highlighted her more funny, lighthearted side. She quickly became the kind of cast member that fans loved to hate. Despite all the criticism and demands from some viewers that she be fired, it’s hardly surprising that TLC kept her on the air. Though 90 Day Fiancé (and its many spinoffs) is purportedly about finding love that transcends international borders, it’s the crazy drama that keeps many people tuning in.
Michael has accused Angela of physical and mental abuse
Unfortunately, sometimes the 90 Day Fiancé drama goes too far. Over their years on the show, viewers watched as Angela verbally berated Michael whenever she got angry with him, sometimes throwing food and drinks in his face. Even when she had reason to be upset – such as when she learned he’d been unfaithful – her explosive reactions only made a bad situation worse. And despite continuing to work to bring Michael to the U.S., she made it clear she didn’t fully trust him. In Happily Ever After? Season 10, she hired a private investigator to look into Michael’s behavior after she came to believe he was scamming her for a green card. But the PI found no evidence Michael was conning his wife. Instead, he said Angela was the one showing red flags.
Through all the drama with Angela, Michael remained remarkably even-keeled. But during the Happily Ever After? Season 10 tell-all, it became clear he was struggling.
“I love her. I’m here for the right reasons,” he said after Angela stormed offstage, screaming that the PI hadn’t had enough time to fully investigate Michael. “But she doesn’t give me a chance to talk. You all can see this. Anytime I talk, she yells at me. That’s why I always keep quiet. And it’s really affecting me mentally, because I don’t talk. You know, it’s really affecting me.”
Soon after, Michael left Angela. In June, she filed for an annulment on the grounds that the marriage was fraudulent. Michael responded by requesting a divorce. He said their 2020 marriage was valid. He also claimed that Angela had “committed both physical and mental abuse” throughout their marriage.
“This abuse has occurred both privately and publicly,” Michael said in his filing. “Some of this abuse was documented while the parties were present and filming reality television show.”
Angela should no longer have a platform on TLC
For anyone who has seen Angela and Michael’s relationship play out on 90 Day Fiancé, Michael’s claims that he was a victim of Angela’s abuse likely ring true. But for years, the show has tolerated – and even embraced – her toxic behavior because it makes for good television. Following the pair as they engage in what is sure to be an ugly divorce battle will inevitably result in more queasily compelling trainwreck TV. People will watch, even if they feel that they shouldn’t. But continuing to feature Angela only rewards her ugly behavior. It also gives a platform to someone who has been accused of domestic abuse. It’s long past time for her to be cut from the show’s lineup of recurring cast members.
As for Michael, he’s hinted he’d be open to participating in The Single Life, the franchise’s spinoff for former cast members searching for love post-breakup. Seeing him find a supportive and loving partner would certainly be satisfying for viewers. But who could blame him if he chooses to retreat from reality TV entirely after his experience with Angela?
How to get help: In the U.S., call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788.
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