Ximena Cuellar Confronts Mike Berk: You’re a Farty Slob and It Disgusts Me!

January 26, 2022 Simon Delott 90 Day Fiance

Mike Berk and Ximena Cuellar have a fair number of active and potential obstacles to overcome to be together.

Financial differences. Child planning. A language barrier. Her ex was a hitman.

On Season 5, Episode 7 of 90 Day Fiance: Before The 90 Days, Ximena revealed another barrier to their being together.

Some of Mike’s habits were grossing her out. Will dirty clothes, belching, and flatulence spoil their romance?

Mike and Ximena have been enjoying a romantic vacation together.

Her kids are with her family, and now the two have had some alone time at a beautiful rental.

However, as we all saw during the episode, that “alone time” led to Ximena

When Ximena slipped out of bed to get coffee, she actually called her sister to seek advice.

She was stunned that Mike — a grown 34-year-old man with stable employment — had some repulsive habits.

Perhaps stranger was that he didn’t seem to realize that they could be off-putting, because he was doing it all in front of her.

Mike was removing his dirty clothes and just tossing them all willy-nilly onto the floor and elsewhere.

He was belching, even at the dinner table, and seemed to think nothing of it.

Finally, he was passing gas around her, including during a makeout session, which totally turned her off.

“So it’s like, oh no! It’s funny but infuriating at the same time,” Ximena expressed.

“Can you imagine three to four years from now? Oh my god. I’ll go crazy,” she predicted.

“I’m the most squeamish person in the world,” Ximena admitted. “He goes and does this in front of me. Look for a place to go let it rip somewhere alone.”

Some people would have either ignored the problem or started making plans to straight-up ghost Mike.

Ximena, however, opted to speak to him about it, telling him that there were things that he needed to change.

His bad habits — from letting out gas from both ends right in front of her to scattering dirty laundry — needed to change.

Mike expressed surprise that she brought these things up as negatives.

Firstly, because it’s not like these were intentional things that he was doing — not the flatulence bit, at least.

Second of all, Mike felt that in comparison to the literal criminals whom she had dated, this seemed like an odd hangup to have.

Ximena explained that Mike is a grown adult, and she already has two young children.

She does not want to feel like his mother (especially as someone a decade younger than he is), correcting his manners and picking up after him.

We all know that this is a fear that many women have as they date guys who are slobs. Ximena doesn’t want that life.

It’s clear that neither of the two of them have any malice for each other — in fact, they seem crazy about each other.

Mike and Ximena have enjoyed plenty of makeout sessions, some more public than others.

Ximena did the mature thing by directly telling Mike what was bothering her and what she hoped that he would change.

Honestly? We’re not blaming anyone for this, but we should remember that Mike has been living with his father and grandfather.

Without any romantic relationships, it may be that he was in an excessively comfortable home environment.

You live a certain way for long enough, and you can forget that not everyone feels the same way.

For example, while my Ximena-like discomfort with discussion of bodily gasses is palpable, some families “let it fly” in front of each other without batting an eye.

Mike may be coming from that environment, where an accidental flatus is seen as no big deal.

Plenty of people who would leave the room to “let one rip” wouldn’t think twice about belching. These are personal sensibilities, not universal ones.

However, we can guess that Mike cleaned up his act (and his dirty clothes).

Numerous online clues point to Mike and Ximena being engaged, though the engagement may have gone down after the trip.

That means that this season could be rough for the two of them, but perhaps they’ll have a happy update at the Tell All (which reportedly filmed last weekend).

Kimberly Menzies Finally Gets Usman Umar in Bed, STILL Doesn’t Get the D

January 26, 2022 Simon Delott 90 Day Fiance

On the latest episode of 90 Day Fiance: Before The 90 Days, Kimberly Menzies had waited enough.

She gifted Usman Umar a PS5 and a MacBook Pro. She took charge to salvage his music video shoot.

Now that Usman was no longer busy filming, she wanted what she came for: Usman.

Kimberly took a gamble by speaking up about her desires. They actually paid off … sort of.

“I want to see the big picture,” Kimberly told the confessional cameras on Season 5, Episode 7.

“You know, I want to see the kissing,” she stated. “I want to see him sleeping in my bed.”

Kimberly explained: “I mean, like, come on, bro, I need to know if that sexual chemistry is there.”

“I want to see how this relationship is going to work that way,” Kimberly reasoned.

After a day out of shopping and holding hands and being cozy with one another in public, Kimberly invited Usman to her room.

“You know, like, I came here to watch you and your video,” she said, “but I came here for another reason too.”

“You know what I mean? We have to get to know each other,” Kimberly expressed.

“So, I think you should give up your room,” she suggested, “and give it to somebody in your team.”

Kimberly told Usman: “I really want you to stay with me. I really do.”

Usman was not feeling it, continuing to view Kimberly as a “potential girlfriend” and saying that she was “rushing it.”

An unamused Kimberly asked: “Well, what If you don’t decide that until the last day? Then what? That’s so crazy.”

“It’s not like I’m begging you for sex or any s–t like that. Just forget it,” an unhappy Kimberly complained. “I really don’t know what else Usman could want.”

Kimberly and Usman sort of made peace, but were uneasy, with Kimberly refusing to hold Usman’s hand.

“Not” begging for sex and being turned down is always awkward.

Having to ride back together to the same place in the aftermath of that … honestly, it sounds unbearable.

Kimberly went to bed in her own room, and we were led to believe that Usman had done the same.

However, he had a change of heart, and went to visit Kimberly in her room.

(We have to wonder if he made sure that the cameras were there for that per his contract, or as an excuse to not “go too far”)

Kimberly was giddy as a schoolgirl (actually … in context, that’s not the best comparison to make) at Usman’s U-turn.

“He’s about to stay with me, finally. I’m really surprised that Usman changed his mind,” she admitted.

“But I am so excited. I mean, tonight could be the night that I have been waiting for,” Kimberly told the camera. “Like, please let tonight be the night.”

“So do you want to, like, watch a movie?” Kimberly asked, adding: “Just want to have sex?”

She half-apologized: “I just thought I’d throw that in there. I just thought I’d try.”

Usman declined, and in fact set up a Hadrian’s Wall of pillows to prevent even the temptation of touching during the night.

“I’m really happy that Usman decided to come into my room and sleep in my bed,” Kimberly told the camera.

“It shows me that he wants to get closer to me too,” she shared.

“But,” Kimberly admitted, “I’m a little disappointed that we are not going to have sex tonight.”

“I mean, we only have this time together before he goes back to Nigeria and before I go back to the States,” Kimberly pointed out.

“So it’s annoying that I have to, like, take these baby steps with Usman when we don’t have time for that,” she noted.

After Usman fended off some attempts to touch him, the two — fully dressed — rolled over to get some sleep.

Ben Rathbun: Is HE the 90 Day Fiance Fraud?

January 25, 2022 Simon Delott 90 Day Fiance

From even before we first saw them on the show, the general vibe is that Ben Rathbun is being catfished.

90 Day Fiance: Before The 90 Days has pulled a fast one before.

There is at least some evidence that Mahogany could be partially real.

Some fans think that this is more than catfishing. Are Ben and Mahogany an actual fake couple?

why yes Ben Rathbun did "loan" Mahogany $1000

No amount of production plotting is needed for a man in his fifties to chase after a girl less than half his age.

Similarly, a possibly fake profile from a girl who never video chats doesn’t need to come from a script, especially when there’s money involved.

But between Ben’s backstory as a cult survivor, his fitness bod, and the catfishing angle, was all of this concocted to entertain viewers?

Ben Rathbun used to be a pastor in a cult

Starcasm recently did a rundown on Ben’s background and who it’s at least worth considering that things might be fake.

First of all, Ben is an actor, which always raises questions.

He’s not the first reality star on or off of this franchise to have acted, however. Also, his acting career is just local theater stuff.

Ben Rathbun prepares for flight, has booked separate hotel rooms

Ben does seem to have a real interest in, well, being in the spotlight.

That’s not necessarily a bad thing, and it more or less describes literally every reality star.

You don’t sign up for reality TV without having at least some sort of interest, direct or indirect, in doing it.

Ben Rathbun - her dad doesn't trust my intentions

Ben’s past statements about fame also suggest that he has a real interest in it and has put thought into it.

In his estimation, if you don’t have a message to share, there’s no point in having a platform.

In his case, Ben says, he hopes to spread a spiritual message of “hope.”

Ben Rathbun shows his friends a totally legit Mahogany video

So let’s look at the story, as Ben tells it, of how he was contacted by another reality show.

“One of my fitness pictures got put into a men’s magazine, and from there a couple producers got a hold of me,” Ben shared on social media.

Producers called him “and said, “Hey, how would you like to be in a reality TV show?” And I was, like, ‘Yeah! Maybe. I mean, if it’s fun. And if there’s a free trip involved.'”

Ben Rathbun breaks the news to his kids and his ex-wife

“And then they told me what it was about, and I was, like, ‘No. I’m out. Nope. Not good,'” Ben recalled.

“I got kids. They’re gonna see that,” he explained.

“I’m not gonna go on an island and be a part of that craziness,” Ben affirmed, “where you’re just, like — you’ve all seen those kind of shows.”

Ben Rathbun - but god is in control. trust your heart

“But then something else kinda came up,” Ben said, in clear reference to 90 Day Fiance: Before The 90 Days.

“And,” he continued, “I was like, “Yeah. That one I can do.”

That’s interesting, especially since he admitted it himself.

Jessica to Ben Rathbun - this does not add up

Now … maybe he and Mahogany were already talking at this point.

Or maybe he needed to find an engaging plus one ASAP to make his fame dream come true.

So, how exactly did he and Mahogany start talking?

Ben Rathbun fixes up motor cycle, insists he's not having a midlife crisis

Ben shared that a coworker had suggested a few years ago that he could make good money as a fitness model.

Companies were looking for “old dudes with abs,” and Ben certainly fits the bill.

As his pics became featured in magazines and showed up online, he says, he and Mahogany crossed paths online.

It looks like what (allegedly) happened is that Mahogany, or the account that created the “Mahogany” identity, saw a DILF model and followed him.

He sent her a handwave emoji … which is a bold first move. (Sliding into DMs is sliding into DMs)

From there, they started chatting … and just a handful of months later, he was on a plane and headed to see her.

Ben Rathbun shares messages with Mahogany

“To answer some of your questions: Is it real? Like, is reality TV real? There is a lot of realness,” Ben recently wrote on social media.

I mean, Hollywood actors spend their entire lives honing their skills to be able to cry on camera and to look real,” he observed.

“Reality TV just is real,” Ben noted. “That’s why people are so compelled.”

Ben has never actually spoken with Mahogany on video

Ben continued: “because I’m showing a part of my life that is very raw, and sometimes humiliating and embarrassing.”

“And sometimes really inspiring. And it’s just all me,” he added. “So to answer that question: Yeah. Yeah, it’s real.”

“It’s going to be an exciting story filled with drama, intrigue, and — I can’t tell everything. In fact, they said ‘no spoilers.'”

Ben Rathbun gets a ride from son, who has his doubts

“So, you’ll just have to watch,” Ben teased. “Not even my own family really knows much of what’s happening.”

Ben concluded: “But it’s gonna be — it’s gonna be crazy. So stay tuned. Not even I know the end of this thing.”

So … what are we to make of this?

Mahogany has only sent photos on Before The 90 Days

There is a real person on the other end of Ben’s messages, but Ben’s been lied to about her age and possibly much more.

As for Ben, he seems like an overly earnest and somewhat foolish man.

We don’t think that production conjured him up as part of a fake storyline. We do think that he lept at the chance to be on TV, and may have rushed things with Mahogany to that end.

Alina Kasha FIRED From 90 Day Fiance Over Racism Scandal [Report]

January 25, 2022January 25, 2022 Simon Delott 90 Day Fiance

On-screen, Alina Kasha’s romance with Caleb Greenwood has had some viewers divided, for both fair and unfair reasons.

Online, however, the 90 Day Fiance fandom is much more concerned with Alina’s past than with her love life.

Recently, Alina’s history of repulsive racist social media activity — not edgy “jokes,” but cruel posts involving costumes and slurs — was revealed.

A new report says that Alina has been fired, and that production aims to trim down her remaining air time on the rest of Season 5.

Alina Kasha still needs to tell Caleb her secret before it's too late

From Black people to Muslims to Black people again, Alina Kasha’s social media history shows some alarming patterns.

It’s true that many people have said or even believed things that they now fiercely regret.

Most did not include racial slurs or get into costumes and makeup in order to make that bigotry known.

Alina Kasha IG n-word caption beard post 2015

Even if these posts were to be passed off as edgy “jokes,” the use of slurs would still be inexcusable.

Beyond that, it’s hard to characterize something as a joke when you don’t see the punchline.

Where does this endless post about a “party” with the N-word repeating every few words get funny, exactly?

Alina Kasha FB n-word party "only in Russia"

As blogger Mommy Says Bad Words reported as the scandal first broke, Alina initially denied making the posts.

It’s hard to imagine someone forgetting multiple posts like that from just 6-7 years earlier, especially when it involved makeup and wardrobe.

Regardless, Alina later changed her tune and issued an apology, explaining that she had not understood the nuances of the racial slur that she employed.

All of this was particularly shocking coming from someone who is herself marginalized.

While slurs vary among languages (and sometimes cultures), Alina is disabled. She’s a little person.

For that matter, Russian or not, she certainly has people in her life whom she would surely not want to see mocked or called vicious slurs in this way.

Elijah has questions for Alina Kasha and Caleb Greenwood

In general, 90 Day Fiance fans are accustomed to seeing stars get away with awful things.

Yes, now-convicted Geoffrey Paschel was booted without explanation and “Baby Girl” Lisa Hamme was sacked, the latter during 2020’s historic civil rights protests.

But emotional abuse by Big Ed Brown (and sexual misconduct allegations) and ample verbal abuse by Angela Deem hasn’t scratched their reality TV careers.

Alina Kasha dated her ex for six months, isn't telling everything

It doesn’t appear that Alina Kasha will be getting off so easily, however.

The Ashley reports that Alina Kasha, whose real name is Alina Kozhevnikova, is being fired.

The decision was allegedly made over the weekend as this scandal only grew worse.

Alina Kasha comes clean about living with her ex

The report also says that editors are working to see how much of Alina and Caleb’s storyline can be cut from the show.

Obviously, what has aired has aired, and Alina and Caleb have been one of the most talked about couples on Season 5.

However, it sounds like they could take a back seat for future episodes of 90 Day Fiance: Before The 90 Days.

Caleb Greenwood and Alina Kasha wake up the morning after

It is unclear whether Alina or Caleb have been informed of this reported change in their status.

“The producers are horrified that this stuff keeps coming out, and keeps getting worse and worse,” the insider told The Ashley.

“Despite what some people think, they don’t do an extensive dive into the cast member’s backgrounds,” the source explained, “so that’s how this went undiscovered during filming.”

Alina Kasha drinks, neither guy has had a threesome

As we here at THG have noted since this scandal broke, old social media posts can be complicated.

After all, people can change and grow considerably over the years, especially when exposed to new information or explanations.

However, there are lines that should never be crossed, and even changed behavior does not automatically earn forgiveness from those wronged by past misdeeds.

Caleb Greenwood and Alina Kasha in bed (hesitation, anxiety)

There are those who feel that portions of the fandom are using this scandal in bad faith, because they dislike Alina.

Certainly, some on social media have disliked her for misogynistic or ableist reasons, such as her desire for sex or her pairing with a man of average height.

However … we need to recognize that bad faith or not, the scandal is legitimate and the anger evoked by that scandal is justified.

Alina Kasha is very honest with Caleb Greenwood about last night

Our disappointment in Alina’s history cannot be understated.

It is difficult to understand why Alina ever felt that these particular posts, mocking and degrading vulnerable minorities, were acceptable.

As much as we might be curious to hear her explain this on a Tell All or elsewhere, no explanation could make this okay.

Jasmine Pineda: Is She 90 Day Fiance’s Next Angela Deem?

January 21, 2022 Simon Delott 90 Day Fiance

On Season 5, Episode 6 of 90 Day Fiance: Before The 90 Days, Jasmine Pineda screamed and cried.

It wasn’t over a family death. It wasn’t over a breakup. Gino hadn’t said something cruel to her.

Jasmine yelled and screamed at her boyfriend over the colors of the walls of his house.

All of that raging and wailing — and the toxic motives behind it — remind some viewers of another franchise star: Angela Deem.

Jasmine Pineda wears I Am The Crazy Panamanian Girlfriend

Jasmine Pineda may think that her behavior is a joke.

But viewers are recoiling in horror as they witness verbal and emotional abuse.

Jasmine’s outrageous outbursts would be understandable from a preschooler. From an adult, it’s toxic.

Gino Palazzolo says there's no reason to talk bad about his ex

Jasmine and Gino could not be less alike in general disposition, viewers notice in scene after scene.

On Episode 6, Gino very softly defended his house’s decor when Jasmine lashed out at it.

She felt that his ex had chosen everything, but his defense — that they’d picked things out together — only set her off.

Jasmine Pineda screams over being made to "look crazy"

Jasmine’s response was to scream and wail, accusing Gino of “always” making her “look crazy.”

As countless viewers commented across social media, Jasmine does not appear to need any help.

She fled a baffled Gino to sob in another room … over paint colors in a house that she has never set foot inside.

Gino Palazzolo hears - your house is full of it

What makes her outburst interesting is that, well, we all know that some people have bad days and unhealthy moments.

Even back at the hotel room, however, Jasmine continued — not yelling, this time, but angrily packing her bags and resolvinng to leave.

Gino being a human being who existed before they met and has paint on his walls was seemingly something that she could not handle.

Jasmine Pineda - they don't exist to you

Jasmine then laid out her demands to Gino.

If he wants her to remain in his life, then his exes have to stop existing in his mind.

Wanting your man to stop talking about his exes is normally okay, but … Jasmine is the one who brought it up.

Jasmine Pineda - I thought I was gonna kill her

There have been other major red flags, including Jasmine’s controlling behavior and past fits.

Gino also met Jasmine’s friend, who had witnessed her rage firsthand.

Jasmine, by her own admission, had attacked a hair stylist who had burned her hair. That is not an appropriate reaction.

We also know that this is not the end of Jasmine’s fury, because previews have shown her yelling at Gino in the future.

It’s possible, even very likely, that her anger is fully justified — but that is not the issue.

How Jasmine handles that anger, whether it’s like a human being or an unhinged and feral creature, is the question.

HEA s06 Tell All preview - Angela yells at the camera

Jasmine’s pattern of behavior is actually very familiar to viewers of the 90 Day Fiance franchise.

Angela Deem is one of the most notorious villains to appear on any of the shows, and has proven — unfortunately — to be ratings gold.

Watching an older-than-she-looks grandmother yell and scream at the slightest (often imagined) provocation makes headlines and gets people to tune in.

Angela Deem screams obscenities at her husband over the phone

Like Jasmine, Angela’s explosive rage appears uncontrollable — but actually has a purpose.

She keeps her long-suffering husband, Michael Ilesanmi, on his toes.

The constant verbal and emotional abuse has him walking on eggshells, afraid to displease her. That’s the whole point.

Angela Deem stands up, yells into wrong camera

Obviously, part of Angela’s motive at this point is to continue to be rewarded by Sharp Entertainment, TLC, and Discovery Plus.

Her disgusting behavior does well for the show, so they want to see more of it.

But we have all seen and heard about enough of Angela’s toxic antics off-camera to know that some, or even most, of what we see is genuine.

Angela Deem screams that she's an American "land of the free"

Angela wants to terrify Michael until he is afraid to speak up for himself as a human being and will remain obedient.

This classic abuse tactic is painful to watch play out on screen.

It appears that Jasmine is trying to do the same thing with Gino, even if she leans more towards tears than vicious insults.

Jasmine Pineda says she has given him more BJs in a few days than his ex gave in 7 years

Though their tantrums and the abusive motives behind them are similar, there are differences.

Jasmine seems to balance out her screaming fits with moments of kindness.

She praised Gino’s sexual stamina, and has apparently gone above and beyond in bed.

Gino Palazzolo awkwardly watches Jasmine Pineda work out

But those good moments of peace and happiness serve as the counterpoint to the tantrums, and they’re part of the manipulation process.

Being on your best behavior doesn’t count for much when you act like a loaded gun, ready to terrify your partner into giving in to your every demand.

Don’t like your partner’s behavior and just asking won’t fix it? Break up with them. Don’t act like a howling, maddened beast just to get your way.

Betty Gibbs is indignant when confronted

From toxic narcissistic moms (pictured) to catfishers and more, 90 Day Fiance is home to many types of bad people.

Of course we’re going to see awful people on our screens, but there are lines that should not be crossed. Abusive partners should not be rewarded.

Maybe Jasmine hasn’t gone as far as Angela has yet. But we hope that she can improve her behavior, and soon, or she’ll cement her status as a villain.

Is Ben Rathbun Being Catfished on 90 Day Fiance? Mahogany Roca Might Be Real

January 19, 2022January 19, 2022 Simon Delott 90 Day Fiance

On this season’s newest episode of 90 Day Fiance: Before The 90 Days, viewers finally got to “meet” Ben Rathbun.

He’s a divorced dad. He’s a fitness model. He insists that he’s not in a midlife crisis. He’s a cult survivor.

Ben’s girlfriend is a 24-year-old girl named Mahogany who lives in Panama, never video chats, and edits her photos beyond recognition.

Cyber-sleuth superfans think that they tracked down the “real” Mahogany, but things just get weirder from there.

When Ben Rathbun introduced himself, it was only on the sixth episode of the season.

Viewers got their first glimpse of him as he showed off his incredibly fit body.

It was his fitness modeling that led him to “meet” Mahogany, but he had a long journey before that.

Ben grew up in a toxic, repressive cult.

Despite marrying (very young) and becoming a pastor in that cult, he and his wife eventually escaped.

They divorced, but at least they and their children got out. His ex-wife, Ben says, holds bitterness about that divorce.

Ben is 52 years old, rides a motorcycle, and believes that he is in an online relationship with a 24-year-old.

Despite that, he insists that he is not having a midlife crisis.

But as he explains Mahogany, it’s clear that there is much more going on than a man trying to make up for lost time.

Ben apparently met Mahogany on social media after he began posting modeling photos.

According to him, dating has been difficult because most women do not want to pursue a relationship with him after learning that he won’t have sex until marriage.

Mahogany, he assures everyone, is different, and shares his devout Christian faith and desire to remain chaste.

Ben Rathbun sits down for lunch with friends

Ben met with some friends on camera to tell them about his relationship.

His friends are clearly pretty leery of his mysterious online girlfriend whom he’s never met.

His friend Jessica has a particularly enjoyable reaction when hearing that Mahogany only recently turned 24.

Jessica reacts correctly to Ben Rathbun dating a 24-year-old

Ben has never video chatted with Mahogany due to alleged “shyness.”

(That’s fine for many online people … but not if you’re making concrete plans to meet up)

As evidence that she is “real,” Ben shows a short and heavily filtered video of Mahogany.

Absolutely none of this is adding up to sound like a real person.

Heavily filtered photos, no video chatting, one short and filtered video, and a huge age gap?

Ben has been catfished before — by a Nigerian man — and his friends know that he is desperate for companionship.

They ask the most obvious question: has this alleged girl asked for money?

Ben blushes and laughs, which is never a good sign, admitting that she has.

He tries to say that since the $1,000 is a “loan,” it’s different, but his friends shut down that attempt.

Here’s the thing: 90 Day Fiance has shown real catfishes before, but also fake catfishes.

After all, whatever Lana was really up to with David Murphey, she was a real human being … they just waited to show her.

Editing is a powerful tool, and can make smart people appear foolish — making fools out of viewers in the process.

A Reddit post reported to have found someone who appears to be Mahogany.

At the very least, this tells us that there are photos of this girl outside of Ben’s DMs.

It doesn’t tell us whether or not she’s real. And it also makes it appear that she is lying to Ben pretty blatantly.

On Facebook, there is an account under the name Mahogany Roca.

It’s social media, so the entire thing could be a dummy account created to find dupes like Ben in the first place.

The filtered-beyond-recognition photos are certainly consistent with the borderline-inhuman photos that we’ve seen of Mahogany so far.

FB comments to Mahogany Roca (her replies deleted)

Mahogany appears to have since deleted several comments, including one in which she told a commenter that she is 22 years old.

Ben’s story would have been filmed last year, so that would make her 21 or 22 at the time, not freshly 24 like Ben believes.

Mahogany also lists herself as “single” on social media. So … what should we believe about all of this?

Anyone could take a series of photos of themselves, of a friend, of a model, doctor them heavily, and create fake social media profiles.

These profiles could then be used to generate the illusion of a real person, to lure gullible people into giving them attention, money, and more.

We have no idea if Ben ever meets Mahogany or if she really exists, but now we can at least see the dubious accounts that she used to speak with him.

Alina Kasha Canceled? 90 Day Fiance Fans Unearth Racist Social Media Posts

January 18, 2022 Simon Delott 90 Day Fiance

Many viewers of 90 Day Fiance: Before The 90 Days are invested in Alina Kasha and Caleb Greenwood’s future.

Their friends-to-lovers storyline is compelling. Caleb is eccentric, Alina is disabled, and Elijah is a delight.

Right now, a number of fans are calling for Alina to be fired from the franchise.

It has nothing to do with her on-screen behavior and everything to do with her old, racist tweets.

On screen, Alina Kasha seems relatable, funny, and horny.

While some elements of the fandom dislike her because she’s a woman and because she speaks about her sexual desires, most viewers liked her.

Liked, past tense … because of recent jarring revelations about her.

Alina Kasha introduces herself on 90 Day Fiance: Before The 90 Days

In 2015, Alina Kasha took to social media to share her makeup job, but it was not a “glam” look.

She wore a fake beard, drawn on with either marker or makeup brush, with her eyebrows matching, alongside a bandana.

While she (thankfully) did not include Blackface, her caption was nearly as vile.

“Yo n—a gotta do sum gold diggin,'” she captioned the photo.

At the time, she did write the N-word using the letter Q in place of the letter G.

Whether that makes it better, or simply shows that she knew that what she was doing was wrong, is a troubling thought.

In 2014, in a Facebook post, Alina did not even use the letter Q, writing out the racial slur repeatedly.

She had, she wrote, been invited to a “n—a party,” which she joked could happen “only in Russia.”

Her description of the “party,” with numerous references to Black skin and hair, sounds so repulsively vile that it’s difficult reading.

Alina Kasha (preview) was living with her ex

Initially, Alina denied that the screenshots circulated were genuine, accusing critics of using photoshop.

It is possible that she genuinely did not realize that the screenshots were genuine at first.

Since then, however, Alina has clearly come to understand that they were very real and very wrong.

“I sincerely want to apologize to those whose feelings have been hurt,” Alina wrote.

“I never intended to offend anyone,” she continued.

“I am and always will be against any form of discrimination,” Alina affirmed.

“My English is okay,” Alina understated, “but I am Russian, and there’s a lot of nuances that you learn over time.”

She explained that she had previously assumed that the N-word, with its -a suffix, was a word akin to “fella” and did not understand the history behind it.

Parts of what Alina is saying make a lot of sense. Parts of it do not.

Alina Kasha (preview) knows she has to tell Caleb

It is certainly the case that the vast majority of Russian citizens are not fully aware of the history of the N-word as a slur.

Truth be told, a shocking and shameful number of Americans — who live here! — sometimes struggle to understand slurs.

It seems that every time that a celebrity is rightfully shamed for using the n-word, a middle-aged white person has to ask “why” Black people can say it.

In reality, this is easy to understand because that is how literally all slurs work.

If a slur against you is used by you, it is robbed of its social intent and historical weight and is not harmful.

Alina may understand this now but not then … but does that mean that she is off the hook?

Alina Kasha watches happily as he removes his shirt

Well, no, and I say that as someone who is a big fan of Alina’s on-screen story this season.

First up, in 2015, she substituted the letter G with a Q, which seems to indicate that she understood that something was not okay.

Second, the intention behind both posts seems very linked to an extremely unflattering portrayal of Black people, and specifically Black Americans.

Alina Kasha (preview) wants a serious conversation

Alina is Russian, yes, so perhaps this just seemed like an edgy joke to her at the time and not like something despicable and hateful.

But I am a white person — in no position to offer Alina any kind of forgiveness or let her off the hook, because I am not the afflicted party.

While these are old social media posts — seven years old, now — the Black community is fully entitled to feel however they might about Alina.

Baby Girl Lisa Hamme - duct tape on IG 02

One thing that we can say with certainty is that, no matter what Alina knew in 2014 and 2015, her actions were not as bad as Baby Girl Lisa Hamme’s.

Why? Because Lisa is from the United States and could not plausibly “not know” what a slur is.

More to the point, because Lisa directly called her ex-husband, Usman Umar, the N-word, ending with the hard R.

Ximena Cuellar Warns Mike Berk: My Ex is a Hitman Who Threatened My Life!

January 18, 2022 Simon Delott 90 Day Fiance

From the premiere, fans have wondered what kind of future Mike Berk and Ximena Cuellar have together.

The 90 Day Fiance: Before The 90 Days Season 5 couple has a lot of differences, including a major language gap.

On the latest episode, Ximena followed up her tearful confession with a warning to Mike about a man from her past.

She once dated and briefly lived with a hitman. When she dumped him, he threatened her life.

On Season 5, Episode 6, Mike and Ximena were still working through some things.

Ximena had shared with Mike that her fallopian tubes had been severed and cauterized after her second C-section.

She’d thought that she’d never meet a guy worth having another kid with. Then she met Mike.

Ximena expressed certainty that there was no way that she could have children.

(Perhaps it’s just the language barrier, but tubal ligation prevents natural conception but not the implantation of an embryo)

Still, Ximena wanted to know if her difficult confession — long overdue — was a dealbreaker for Mike.

Mike had, very honestly, told her that he needed to give it some thought.

He had dreamt of having his own, biological, child.

But Mike told Ximena that he looked forward to helping her raise her children.

He understood how difficult this confession was for Ximena to make.

With this in mind, Mike did ask Ximena to agree to something.

Let there be no more secrets between them.

Ximena would keep that promise as the two spoke on a romantic vacation together.

Finally getting out of the house (where Ximena’s family lives), they got to have some real alone time in a gorgeous rental.

The view of the valley was stunning, but they were more focused upon each other.

Editors didn’t extend Mike and Ximena’s makeout session as memorably and uncomfortably as they did with other cast members.

After some not-so-public display of affection, the two soaked in the water and took in the ambiance.

But it was time for a serious discussion, as Mike hoped to learn more about Ximena’s past.

Mike of course wanted to know about the father of Ximena’s children, and what sor tof relationship she had with him.

It was not, she explained, a real or healthy relationship — she got pregnant by him, but that was it for her and her sons.

Ximena was young — and, at 24, still is. She experienced a lot of bad men in her life.

Another ex, Ximena revealed, turned out to be a hitman.

She did not know that he was — he was, she thought, just a tattoo artist as he appeared to be.

Just days after moving in with him, she realized what his true profession was.

Ximena broke up with him, which is when things got a lot worse and a lot scarier.

He sent her a voicemail telling her to treasure these next few days of her life, for they would be her last.

She sent the voicemail to a police officer, and has not heard from the hitman ex since.

Mike very naturally asked an important question, for himself and for viewers — was there a chance that this guy will go after them?

Ximena told him that there was not, because this all went down about two years ago, and she hasn’t heard from him.

That is honestly frightening. It is heartbreaking to think of how Ximena’s life has been before now.

Jasmine Pineda SCREAMS at Gino Palazzolo for Making Her "Look Crazy" on 90 Day Fiance: Before The 90 Days (Recap)

January 17, 2022January 17, 2022 Simon Delott 90 Day Fiance

Somehow, it took half a dozen episodes for 90 Day Fiance: Before The 90 Days to introduce part of its cast.

But the introduction of Ben Rathbun and his wild backstory was only part of the drama on Season 5, Episode 6.

Gino and Jasmine are still recovering from Gino’s aggressively thoughtless lack of gifts.

It’s Jasmine’s turn to be the villain, as she works herself up into a tearful screaming fit over … paint colors.

The show introduces Ben, a 52-year-old fitness model and a cult survivor who believes that he is dating a 24-year-old.

However, he seems to be the only person who doesn’t think that he’s being catfished by Mahogany.

Caleb and Alina wake up the morning after, discussing how their sleeping together was fun but also a learning experience.

Alina dishes to Elijah, who then reminds her that she has something important to tell Caleb — or he will.

Kimberly goes with Usman to where he’s going to film the music video for “Zara,” and he still hasn’t confessed who the song is about.

But issues arise on set, and Kimberly is not the cause of the problems. In fact, she helps fix some of them.

Memphis opens up to Hamza about her tragic childhood story.

She then learns that he has been lying to her about his age, and wonders what other nasty surprises are in store.

Finally, Mike and Ximena are still processing their last conversation, and she asks if he regrets coming to Colombia since she can’t have more kids.

When they finally get some real alone time, however, she has some scary news to share.

1. Gino Palazzolo and Jasmine Pineda

In the aftermath of Gino visiting Jasmine for Christmas but not actually having any gifts for her (except for an electric toothbrush and a pregnancy test), things are tense. Jasmine has a very fit body and goes to work out while Gino, as instructed, sits and watches.

2. Jasmine knows how Gino can redeem himself

She has planned a romantic vacation for the two of them, and everything is set … except for the money. She wants Gino, who has been out of work for about seven months, to pay the $2,500.

3. Jasmine brings up his exes

Jasmine pineda im not worthy as they were

Apparently, he took various trips with his ex-wife and others. Jasmine is wildly insecure that Gino has ever been in any relationship, ever, and clearly feels like she is still competing with these ghosts from his past.

4. Gino agrees to it

Whether they had planned this beforehand or Gino really was that desperate to please her, he agrees … at which point, Jasmine praises him for being “obedient.”

5. Jasmine wants something else

Jasmine pineda i want you to set on fire all the stupid things

She wants Gino to purge his home of every trace of his ex, right down the paint on the walls.

6. SHE wants to pick the wall color!

Jasmine pineda says she has given him more bjs in a few days tha

While it is not unusual to want some input in what color the walls are, Jasmine’s argument is pretty unique. She thinks that she has earned the right to paint his walls because she has fellated him more times in the past few days than his ex did in seven years. Yes, that’s what she says.

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Memphis Smith Discovers Hamza Lied AGAIN on 90 Day Fiance: Before The 90 Days

January 14, 2022January 14, 2022 Simon Delott 90 Day Fiance

Viewers are still unsure of what to think of these two as this season of 90 Day Fiance: Before The 90 Days unfolds.

Even before Memphis arrived in Tunisia, Hamza lied to her about her sleeping arrangements.

She took that in stride, even if it led to the two getting busted by Hamza’s mom. Awkward!

Now, Memphis is learning that Hamza has been lying to her all along — about something as basic as his age.

Memphis Smith is a 34-year-old woman. She is a mother of two young children.

She is not generally in an age range or a place in life where she expects to have to hide her sexual activity from someone’s parents.

In fact, as a mom, she’s probably more accustomed to hiding things from her kids.

When Memphis flew out to Tunisia, she did not realize that she would have to sneak around like a teenager with strict parents.

Hamza had not told her that his mother, Hayet, wanted them to not share the same room.

In fact, she hoped that they would avoid sex altogether until getting married — something that he was not too keen on.

Memphis was nonetheless happy to abide by Hayet’s wishes while staying under her roof.

She didn’t understand why Hamza didn’t want to just go to a hotel during her visit.

But she was intent upon keeping her future mother-in-law happy and making a good impression.

Hamza — and his penis — had other ideas.

He clearly invited himself into his room (where Memphis was staying, while he was supposed to crash on the couch) for a hookup.

Hayet found out, it was deeply awkward, and Memphis found the sex disappointing.

Memphis has had relationships in the past where she let a lack of sexual compatibility slide, but did not want to do that again.

Apparently Hamza only boned her for a short time, but explained that he only nutted quickly because he hadn’t had sex in so long.

To the cameras, Hamza just said that Memphis was too sexy for him to hold back.

But on Season 5, Episode 6 of 90 Day Fiance: Before The 90 Days, Memphis is in for another surprise.

As the scene in this sneak peek clip begins, Memphis reacts to Hamza’s real age.

He had told her that he was 28. The truth, his family reveals, is that he is 26.

“Earlier, Hamza’s sister and I are having a conversation and she happened to say, ‘Yeah, Hamza is three years older than me,'” Memphis explains.

She continues: “I said, ‘How old are you?’ She’s like, ’23 and Hamza is 26!’ I thought that Hamza recently turned 28.”

Memphis confesses: “I feel like he kind of betrayed me in a way, because who wants to be lied to?”

“He told me that last year that he just turned 28,” Memphis tells Hamza’s mother and sister.

“So, he lied,” she continues. “What else is he not telling the truth about?”

Memphis explains the problem: “So you lied. And we have plans to what, go to the embassy tomorrow and do marriage papers?”

“Now, I don’t know how I feel about that because you lied.” Memphis expresses.

She tells him that she needs some time to think about this.

After all, this is a man who barely speaks her language but has used it to deliberately lie to her more than once.

Hamza’s mother is Team Hamza on this, thinking that Memphis is blowing it out of proportion.

Perhaps it is because the small discrepency in his age strikes her as a little white lie and ultimately harmless.

It is indicative of immaturity and, combined with his other fibs, dishonesty that could be a dealbreaker for Memphis.

Alina Kasha Fears One Guilty Secret Will Ruin Romance with Caleb Greenwood

January 14, 2022 Simon Delott 90 Day Fiance

One of the most talked-about couples on 90 Day Fiance: Before The 90 Days crossed a relationship milestone.

As viewers watched with varying levels of discomfort, Alina and Caleb got hot and heavy.

In the aftermath of the scene that some fans felt went too far, Alina dishes to Elijah about taking Caleb for a ride.

She’s more attached to Caleb than ever … but worried that a guilty secret will ruin things.

On what we assume is the morning after her steamy makeout session with Caleb Greenwood, Alina Kasha goes out with Elijah.

(Just a reminder that nobody’s mad that Alina and Caleb hooked up, it was just weird that editors made the scene last more than two minutes)

Once situated, they order, thank their Turkish waiter, and this 90 Day Fiance: Before The 90 Days sneak peek is all set for Alina to spill.

Elijah asks Alina for details about how last night went.

After all, he was not part of the dinner beforehand, where Caleb and Alina met with Maria.

But he knows that things went down, and he’s right.

Alina describes a “spicy” makeout session, equating it to Tabasco.

(Tabasco is a little controversial due to its vinegar content — some people swear by it, others hate it)

It’s interesting to hear two Russians use a Louisiana-based hot sauce for comparison.

Was it just kissing?

That’s what the cameras and production crew saw before they finally left the room, but Elijah suspects that more went down.

He was right, Alina confirms.

As Alina puts it, she “took a ride on his disco stick.”

While that Lady Gaga reference is now about 13 years old, we all understand its meaning.

When Alina adds that she “literally” did this, it begins to sound like she was on top.

Good for her!

That is more or less Elijah’s sentiment as he congratulates his bestie.

Alina deserves good things, he knows, and he’s happy that she’s gotten this far.

As one can imagine, Alina is now feeling more attached to Caleb than ever before, and she admits as much.

She wants more commitment from Caleb, more serious conversation about where they’re headed as a couple.

She says that Caleb seems to want to postpone serious talks about where things stand.

Elijah asks why she’s telling him this instead of Caleb.

He’s right.

But Alina has a very good reason for not yet feeling comfortable with the idea of pressuring Caleb.

As Elijah well knows, there is something that Alina has not told Caleb.

This secret is weighing on her, and the longer that she waits to tell Caleb, the worse that she feels.

Until she comes clean, she would feel hypocritical or worse for pressuring him to open up.

Caleb gives Alina a very knowing look.

It’s the kind of eyebrow raise that a friend gives to a friend when they know what the right thing to do is.

There is an unspoken understanding here. But Alina makes sure that viewers understand, too.

“My ex and I, we were still together at the time that things were getting serious with Caleb and I,” Alina tells the camera.

“We actually lived together and I hid this fact from Caleb,” she confesses.

“I didn’t tell Caleb,” Alina explains, “because I didn’t want him to back off so I ended up just not telling him at all.”

How long can Alina realistically keep this up?

Elijah asks her, to which she replies that it’s not that she’s intentionally keeping it a secret.

She is just not brave enough, she admits, to tell Caleb.

Elijah suggests that he could always talk to Caleb for her.

This is the kind of offer that is also a threat, but not really intended as either.

Instead, it’s meant as encouragement for Alina — a reminder that she absolutely cannot avoid telling Caleb forever.

Though she is afraid to follow through, Alina acknowledges that Caleb deserves to know.

It’s not ruinous or a dealbreaker, probably, but they can’t move forward and have an honest relationship with this lie hanging over them.

Plus, obviously, if neither Alina nor Elijah tell Caleb, he’ll see it many months later (now) when all of this airs.

Caleb Greenwood and Alina Kasha Makeout Marathon: Did 90 Day Fiance Cross a Line?

January 13, 2022January 13, 2022 Simon Delott 90 Day Fiance

On Season 5, Episode 5 of 90 Day Fiance: Before The 90 Days, Caleb and Alina got hot and heavy for the first time.

After thirteen years of friendship, they took things to the next level.

Viewers concerned about how Caleb was reacting to Alina’s disability suddenly found themselves with a whole new worry:

Why in the frick-frack were producers and cameras in the room with them for so long?

Infamously, Alina Kasha did not get the kisses and snuggles that she had hoped for when Caleb Greenwood first arrived.

He was tired from his long flight, felt gross, and promptly fell asleep.

The next evening, he was in a much more kissy mood — and that carried over into the next morning.

The kissing went on after Alina joined Caleb, who is very active and fitness-oriented, in working out.

This was also the episode when the wild rumors that Alina had “catfished” Caleb by “hiding” her disability were quashed.

Alina and Caleb were more focused on their upcoming dinner with her friend, Maria.

Maria brought up some valid fears — worried that Alina would be a vacation fling for Caleb, not a serious romance.

While there were tense moments at dinner, one thing at least was very clear when they returned to the hotel:

Alina and Caleb were barely getting started when it came to kissing.

Caleb and Alina began making out in the hotel room.

The kissing was reasonably tame (if the audio was a little loud — as much editing as this show gets, that was a deliberate choice).

Once Caleb helped Alina get her shoes off, however, things were dialed up a notch or two.

The kisses grew in intensity, with Alina’s hands exploring under Caleb’s shirt.

Normally, we see moments like this and think of how extremely awkward it must be to do this on camera.

In this case, looking at the two of them, it at times seems like they kept forgetting about the production crew in the room.

Alina had of course seen her hunky boyfriend shirtless before.

But she had a special gleam in her eye as she leaned back and watched as Caleb removed his shirt.

Clearly, the unveiling of his torso was a sight to behold … and then they got right back to it.

The kissing resumed, this time with Caleb’s tiddies out.

The audio was merciless — with their mics catching every smacking sound involved in kissing.

While it would make for very boring pornography, it was nonetheless unusually spicy for reality television.

We also have to emphasize how prolonged this scene was.

Starting very strictly from the moment that they began kissing in the room and ending at the end of the scene, we’re talking more than two minutes.

There were no interruptions or breaks. It was just kissing and kissing and kissing.

“Does it feel kinda weird to you?” Alina asked, self-consciously.

Caleb confessed to her that the only thing that felt weird to him was that they hadn’t done this before.

Thrilled by his answer, she asked him to get the lights, and the kissing resumed in the dark until the camera (mercifully) cut out.

Nobody’s angry with Alina and Caleb for getting it on, but it was a lot to handle.

We’re accustomed to NSFW moments, from Angela Deem flashing the stage to other cast members sharing some excessive information about what has gone down.

But for the episode to drag out this scene for so long was, ironically, a real turn-off for some viewers.

To be completely clear, this was not Caleb and Alina’s fault.

Normally, a scene like that might be edited down to under a minute, and possibly much less than that.

Production just did what they always do — filming what was happening. It was editing that decided to make this scene so lengthy.

Speaking of lengthy, the preview makes it clear that they did a lot more than kiss that night.

Alina can be heard telling her friend Elijah that she rode Caleb into the sunset, so to speak.

We’re very happy for them. We hope that prolonged, uncomfortable makeouts don’t become a huge thing on this show — no matter how hot the cast may be.

90 Day Fiance Spoiler: Are Mike Berk and Ximena Cuellar Engaged?

January 13, 2022 Simon Delott 90 Day Fiance

Mike Berk and Ximena Cuellar have some challenges in their 90 Day Fiance: Before The 90 Days romance.

The two already had a language barrier, relationship baggage, an age gap, and kids in the picture.

Then there was Ximena’s big lie to Mike that might end up being a dealbreaker.

After all of this, is there any chance that they will get engaged?

Apparently, a very very good chance.

Mike is a 34-year-old American from Thiells, New York, where he lives with his father and grandfather.

After 20 years without a serious relationship (yes, you did that math correctly), Mike met Ximena online.

On Season 5, we watch him travel to Colombia to meet Ximena for the first time after a year of being long-distance.

Ximena is a mother of two, having first become pregnant as a teenager.

Mike has been a generous boyfriend, helping provide for her, including buying furniture and appliances for her home.

But, as she revealed on last weekend’s episode, Ximena has been harboring a secret from Mike.

After two agonizing and scary C-section deliveries, she did not want to endure this again.

Ximena wisely decided to have her fallopian tubes severed and cauterized to prevent her from conceiving again.

The small problem is that Mike wants children (though IVF would almost certainly be an easy solution if they do decide on having a kid).

While that’s a question of their long-term comptatibility, the larger problem was that she had lied to him.

Mike knew that he had a lot to think about, and we all know that they will have more drama as the season unfolds.

Despite all of that, do Mike and Ximena become engaged?

According to Ximena’s own TikTok videos from January of 2021, the answer appears to be YES.

There are some caveats, however, which make us wonder if the proposal ends up happening during the filming of the show.

In Ximena’s TikTok video, it looks an awful lot like Mike proposed remotely, over video chat.

Mike is shown presenting her with a ring.

“I love you my life,” Ximena captioned the video. “Thanks for so much happiness.”

We are also treated in a follow-up TikTok video to a series of looks of wedding dresses.

Ximena was trying on at least one dress in a shop.

Instead of explaining the context through words, she used a heart-filled filter.

Ever since then — and it has been about a year, Ximena’s videos have shown her wearing a ring on her left ring finger.

Though anyone can wear a ring on any finger, that generally signifies an engagement.

More recently, Ximena’s ring finger has been home to a gold band — indicating either a new engagement ring or that she is now married.

A ring is not confirmation, no matter how “obvious” it may seem to us.

However, it certainly appears based upon this series of clues and hints that Ximena and Mike got engaged a year ago and have since tied the knot.

Do we think that we’ll see them on a new season of the original 90 Day Fiance … or did they decide to make their love story more private?

90 Day Fiance: Before The 90 Days Star Kimberly Menzies Reveals Her Mom Has Died

January 12, 2022 Simon Delott 90 Day Fiance

On the Season 5 premiere of 90 Day Fiance: Before The 90 Days, Kimberly Menzies was prepared to risk it all for love.

Before leaving home to visit Usman Umar, she sought and received the blessing of her mother, Sally.

Though Sally depended upon her daughter for many things, she loved Kimberly and wanted her to be happy.

Kimberly has taken to social media to share the tragic news that her mother has passed.

“My mom passed away last night,” Kimberly Menzies wrote on Instagram on Tuesday, January 11.

“No one will ever understand how close her and I were,” sh eexpressed.

Kimberly praised: “She was my #1 supporter and my best friend.”

Kimberly Menzies IG shares that mom Sally died

“I will miss you for the rest of my life,” KImberly expressed to her dearly departed mother.

“But I know you will always be with me,” she affirmed, “and in my heart.”

Kimberly concluded her mournful Instagram caption by writing: “I love you Mommy.”

“Thank you everyone for the heartfelt words,” Kimberly later wrote on her Instagram Story.

“We have lost a key piece of our world,” she lamented, “but will try to stay strong as that’s what she would’ve wanted.”

Kimberly concluded: “Thank you everyone again your support means so much to us.”

Kimberly Menzies once again cries when anyone questions her plans

In December, Kimberly had asked her Instagram followers to pray for her mother

“Please continue your thoughts and prayers for my mom,” she wrote, just a few weeks before her mother’s passing.

Kimberly concluded that request: “She’s getting stronger every day. Thank you.”

Kimberly Menzies introduces herself on 90 Day Fiance: Before The 90 Days

Kimberly Menzies was introduced to viewers on Season 5, Episode 1 of Before The 90 Days.

She raised eyebrows for being the second older white American woman to date Nigerian rapper Usman Umar.

Kimberly promised to show that she is not like his ex, Baby Girl Lisa Hamme.

Kimberly Menzies shows off her expensive MJ fan collection

On screen, she showed what a devoted fan she could be, flaunting her pricey collection of Michael Jackson memorabilia.

Though she does not like to be called Usman’s “super fan,” she certainly knows how to appreciate an artist.

Still, Kimberly was conflicted about making the trip to see him.

Sally is the dependent mother of Kimberly Menzies

Her mother, Sally, lived at home.

Viewers were introduced to her during the premiere.

She was dependent upon Kimberly’s assistance for some things, and there was clearly a lot of love between them.

Viewers also met Kimberly’s son, Jamal, albeit to a lesser extent.

Jamal video chatted with his mother to check in.

Our thoughts are also with Jamal, who has lost his grandmother.

Mom Sally to Kimberly Menzies - I just hope this is all good for you

Like many viewers — especially those familiar with Usman’s history — Sally had some concerns.

She expressed a hope that Kimberly’s trip would be good for her and her mental and emotional health in the long run.

If it turned out to be a massive disappointment, or worse, that would be counterproductive.

Kimberly Menzies feels guilty leaving her mom at home

While Sally worried about her daughter getting heartbroken (again), Kimberly was wrestling with another feeling.

She expressed guilt over leaving her mother, even just for this trip, wanting to be there for her.

Sally saw how her daughter felt, and gave her blessing for Kimberly to make the trip.

Kimberly's mom Sally gives her blessing to go

The thought of losing a parent, especially one with whom you are so close, is devastating.

Our thoughts go out to Kimberly, Jamal, and all of Sally’s other loved ones in this time of heartbreak.

We hope that Kimberly’s critics go easy on her. She has enough on her plate, no matter what they see on TV.

Ximena Cuellar Lied to Mike Berk: Is She the New Big Ed Brown?

January 10, 2022 Simon Delott 90 Day Fiance

Between Gino and Jasmine’s off-the-walls drama and Caleb and Alina’s steamy makeouts, the latest episode of 90 Day Fiance: Before The 90 Days had a lot going on.

In Colombia, Mike Berk and Ximena Cuellar awoke from their first night together and went on an outing with her family.

But what Mike doesn’t know is that Ximena has been hiding a secret from him that she fears will drive him away.

Things started off reasonably well on Season 5, Episode 5.

Mike and Ximena awoke together in bed after their first night together.

For Mike, it was the greatest night of his life, and Ximena could tell.

For her, it was nothing to write home about (even though she is home, and it would be weird to write to her family about it).

But that doesn’t mean that it was bad — she does not, for example, have complaints like Memphis Smith had in the same episode.

In high spirits, Mike traveled with Ximena and her entire family to enjoy the beauty of Colombia and have some wet fun.

After enjoying themselves in the water (with her dad awkwardly watching), Ximena sits by the water with her sister, Wendy.

Ximena tells her sister that she is ready to say “of course” if Mike proposes to her.

However, Wendy cannot help but ask her a major question: does Mike know that she cannot have children?

He does not, as Ximena — already a mother of two — explains to the cameras.

She had two agonizing C-sections and ended up getting her tubes tied to ensure that she would not have to go through this again.

But Mike, who would like to have at least one child with her after they marry, does not yet know this.

“What do you think he’ll say?” Wendy asks Ximena.

“I can imagine that it’s going to be a hard blow for him because he’s excited to be a dad,” Ximena admits.

She expresses: “That does hurt me a lot.”

“I know it was a mistake not to tell him the truth earlier,” Ximena admits.

“But,” she explains, “I wanted him to come to Colombia so we could [meet] each other first, and tell him in person, not on the phone.”

“But I feel super nervous because I feel like I love him,” Ximena adds. “So [it would kill me] if he ended it and left.”

After promising Wendy that she will sit down and talk with Mike about this that night, she lives up to her promise.

Telling him that she has something important to say, she first praises him for how he is with her young sons.

He would be, she affirms, a wonderful father — to them, and to anyone.

This is when, through the awkward use of the translation tool, Ximena tells Mike that she cannot have children.

Naturally, Mike is stunned, and asks her why she did not tell him.

She was afraid that he would break things off, and wanted to tell him in person. She is visibly nervous throughout the conversation.

Mike initially expresses hope that she could later conceive through medical intervention.

(IVF can work very successfully for people who have had their tubes tied; the fallopian tubes do not need to be repaired)

However, it’s unclear if Ximena would ever be willing to do that, given the agony of her past deliveries, but her question to Mike is whether this is a dealbreaker.

Just as Ximena was (finally) honest with him, Mike is honest with her, telling her that this is new information and he needs to think about it.

It is a genuinely heartbreaking scene for both of them, with a lot of strong feelings on both sides.

But … we are reminded of another franchise star who lied about their baby plans.

Big Ed Brown is a major 90 Day Fiance villain who just won’t go away.

Long before he was being pushy with Kaory or getting engaged to Liz Woods, he was wasting Rosemarie Vega’s time.

In addition to shaming her body, her sexual history, and her hygiene, Ed lied to her about his plans to get a vasectomy.

When he finally came clean, it was at the end of their season together.

Rose, knowing that she wanted two more kids, was disgusted and heartbroken, dumping Ed on the spot for his lie.

Ed went on and got his vasectomy and Rose made the best out of a bad situation, but … is Ximena the new Ed?

Ximena should have been honest with Mike. She had months to tell him that her tubes have been tied.

But she also told Mike the truth on his second day there, not weeks later. Ximena is also a single mom, in a very different situation than Ed.

Ximena should have told Mike the truth, but she’s not on Big Ed’s level. She might be close to his height, but that’s it.

Caleb Greenwood and Alina Kasha Get Hot and Heavy on 90 Day Fiance: Before The 90 Days (Recap)

January 10, 2022January 10, 2022 Simon Delott 90 Day Fiance

On Season 5, Episode 5 of 90 Day Fiance: Before The 90 Days, multiple couples were processing eventful evenings.

First up came Caleb and Alina, who had shared their first kiss the night before.

It was decidedly not their last.

On the opposite end of the spectrum were Ella and Johnny, who have yet to meet in person.

Johnny said goodbye to his family, but crushing news could derail his and Ella’s chances of a happily ever after.

Gino confessed to some financial struggles but made a good impression on Jasmine’s friend.

The same cannot be said for his impression on Jasmine, as the next day was a total disaster.

After their “sleepover” was discovered by Hamza’s mom, Memphis is desperate to win her over.

But she also needs to talk to Hamza about his “sexy time” performance.

Mike and Ximena also had their very first sleepover, with very different reviews of the experience.

However, Ximena has been harboring a secret that she knows could end things with Mike for good.

1. Caleb Greenwood and Alina Kasha

Caleb greenwood and alina kasha make out in bed morning

Their first kiss was not their last, clearly, as they are still exchanging smooches the next morning. However, it quickly becomes clear that things did not really go further than that.

2. Why did they stop where they stopped?

Caleb greenwood and alina kasha have an honest conversation abou

Alina and Caleb have an awkward and very honest conversation about how Caleb is self-conscious of her body’s differences. He’s a guy who tends to overthink things, and it gets in the way of the intimacy despite his bond with and attraction to Alina.

3. Alina is very understanding

Caleb greenwood and alina kasha establish mutual respect continu

Clearly appreciating his honesty even more than she appreciates his strong arms, the two go back to kissing.

4. They have a busy day ahead of them

Alina kasha to caleb greenwood you carry me in such a weird way

But we can see that Caleb is clearly getting the hang of helping Alina ascend stairways. Again, they are in Turkey rather than in the United States, so (obviously) buildings do not have to be ADA compliant and Alina is not finding as many elevators as she might in the United States.

5. Alina wants to spend more time with Caleb

Alina kasha works out makes out with caleb greenwood

She knows that he got his incredible body from being really into fitness, both outdoors and indoors, so she works out a little with him. It’s hard for her at times, but it means a lot to both of them that they can spend time together and enjoy things.

6. Alina and Caleb go to see her friend, Maria

Alina kasha has dinner with caleb greenwood and her friend maria

Maria, the one who drove Alina and Elijah to the hotel from the airport, is just as much on the lookout for Alina’s well-being as Elijah is.