Deavan Clegg Explains GoFundMe for 3-Year-Old Taeyang’s Cancer Battle

Late last month, 90 Day Fiance: The Other Way alum Deavan Clegg revealed her son’s leukemia diagnosis.

Taeyang’s condition was only identified after Deavan repeatedly brought him to doctors until they could diagnose him.

Now, he is undergoing treatment (and not a moment too soon) and is said to have a good prognosis for recovery.

Deavan is raising money to go to her son’s care. She is also explaining to fans what the funds are for.

Deavan Clegg header (9 May 2022)

Less than a week after a GoFundMe for Taeyang’s healthcare was established, Deavan Clegg posted an update on Instagram.

“We are almost to $20,000 raised on gofundme in just 4 days,” she shared.

“The support for Taeyang has really touched us,” Deavan expressed. “Cancer doesn’t stand a chance.”

Deavan Clegg IG gofundme update, insurance explain

The GoFundMe, which has now crossed the $20,000 mark, was not created by Deavan.

Her mother, Elicia, created it to support her grandson’s care.

The goal is $50,000, meaning that they are less than halfway to the mark.

Taeyang GoFundMe 8 June 2022

As encouraging as Deavan’s update was, some had questions.

“Insurance pays for everything,” claimed one commenter, who asked: “So what is the Go Fund Me for?”

Deavan gently corrected the commenter: “Insurance does not cover everything.”

As many Americans traveling abroad have learned firsthand, most developed countries would charge someone little to nothing for a cancer diagnosis and treatment.

In the United States, even someone lucky enough to have a good insurance plan would still find themselves facing steep bills.

While there are charities entirely devoted to helping cover costs for children’s cancer treatments, the staggering and often artificially inflated numbers on hospital bills are daunting.

In late May, Deavan revealed that Taeyang had been diagnosed with “B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia just a few days ago.”

Deavan specified. “He has already undergone multiple procedures.”

“And,” she continued, Taeyang had “started chemotherapy treatment just two days ago.”

“This is every parents absolute worst nightmare,” Deavan acknowledged in her heartbreaking post.

“And I’m trying hard to stay strong for Taeyang, Drascilla, and my baby in my tummy,” she noted.

As we previously reported, Deavan is pregnant with her third child, by partner Topher Park.

B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia can be fatal if left untreated for months or even for weeks.

Deavan’s trips to the hospital, being sent home with things like iron supplements, continued until she found an answer for her son’s sudden illness.

3-year-old Taeyang’s treatments are not, and will not be, easy, but his road to beating this is laid out before him.

Deavan Clegg was awarded full custody of Taeyang after a two-year, albeit one-sided, custody battle with Jihoon Lee.

Though Jihoon was demonstrably irresponsible and also under investigation for child-abuse, apparently the main reason that Deavan got custody was even simpler:

She was taking care of Taeyang and wished to continue to do so. Jihoon reportedly lost all interest in even communicating with his son, let alone seeking custody.

Fortunately, Taeyang has a strong support system with Deavan’s family, and with Topher.

Deavan even shares that her son “cries for” her boyfriend more than he does for her.

They have been together for nearly two years, which is the majority of Taeyang’s young life. We wish this family the best as they grapple with Taeyang’s health crisis.

Deavan Clegg Reveals Son Taeyang’s Heartbreaking Leukemia Diagnosis

Earlier this month, 90 Day Fiance: The Other Way alum Deavan Clegg shared good news.

Her divorce from Jihoon Lee was finalized at last, and Deavan was awarded full custody of their son.

Unfortunately, Taeyang has now been stricken with an unexpected health battle.

Deavan revealed that her 3-year-old son is undergoing treatment for leukemia.

On Tuesday, May 31, Deavan Clegg took to Instagram to share heartbreaking news.

“I have vowed to always be 100% transparent with you guys,” she began.

“And,” Deavan continued, “I am choosing to share the most vulnerable and saddest point of my life right now.”

Deavan explained that she is only opening up “in hopes it can help give anyone else dealing with a similar situation some strength.”

“I’m overcome with so much emotion and devastation to announce that my beloved son Taeyang,” she stated.

“Who just celebrated his third birthday last week,” Deavan noted, “was just diagnosed with childhood cancer.”

“B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia just a few days ago,” Deavan specified.

“He has already undergone multiple procedures,” she shared, “and started chemotherapy treatment just two days ago.”

Deavan expressed: “This is every parents absolute worst nightmare and I’m trying hard to stay strong for Taeyang, Drascilla, and my baby in my tummy.”

“Taeyang will need around the clock hospital care,” Deavan explained.

“And this will be a long two year process,” she detailed.

Fortunately, Deavan pointed out “that has a high success rate of full recovery in five years.”

“I’m still processing all of this and asking for prayers, please,” Deavan requested.

“If anyone would like to donate to assist with his medical care,” she added, “I would be forever grateful as this nightmare has been completely unexpected.”

“The link to donate is in my bio,” Deavan shared, linking here.

Deavan Clegg gofundme for Taeyang

“I will also create some kind of support fundraiser t-shirt this week too,” Deavan continued.

She explained that she is “just still trying to wrap my head around all of this.”

“Also if anyone knows of any childhood cancer support groups and resources,” Deavan asked, “please tag them below.”

“I’m so beside myself right now and my heart is broken,” Deavan wrote.

“Thank you friends and supporters for your prayers, healing vibes, and strength,” she concluded.

That is a devastating piece of news, and we will keep Taeyang and the entire family in our thoughts.

It took weeks of emergency hospitalizations and consultations before Taeyang received a diagnosis.

B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia can be fatal in months, or even weeks, if it is left untreated.

ALL occurs most commonly in children. Based upon 2015 statistics, it claims the lives of about one-eighth of those diagnosed.

Taeyang zoom in and name tag

Taeyang is now getting care, and we of course hope for the best.

Healthcare is extremely expensive, but Deavan and Topher are putting Taeyang first. We know that this treatment process is going to be hard on him.

We all hope for swift and total remission for Taeyang. He is surrounded by family who love him, and will make him as comfortable as possible while he spends time in and out of hospitals.

Deavan Clegg Explains Why Jihoon Lost Custody, Says Half of 90 Day Fiance Drama Was Fake

Finally, finally, Deavan Clegg is divorced from Jihoon Lee more than two years after they parted ways for good.

It turns out that their breakup happened several months before anyone realized — but they didn’t share their breakup because they wanted to finish filming the season.

Deavan can finally speak about her former marriage, why she got full custody, and more.

While the worst of it was real, she admits that a lot of the drama that she and Jihoon filmed would never have happened if they weren’t doing the show.

Deavan Clegg confronts Jihoon Lee about naked lady pics

The abuse and the ghosting of Taeyang were never revealed to 90 Day Fiance: The Other Way viewers.

A lot of what we saw, from Jihoon’s proposal to a pregnant Deavan to their Korean wedding in South Korea, were staged.

While Deavan freely acknowledges that her experience was not universal, she says that a lot of drama was just to keep her and Jihoon on the show to pay off debts.

Deavan Clegg IG 01 may 2022 Q&A

Deavan’s Instagram Q&A this week revealed that, in October, it will have been two full years since Jihoon even attempted to speak to Taeyang.

This confirms what fans who have watched both exes on social media suspected.

It is also, Deavan explained, a key reason for why she received full custody. It’s as if she was awarded custody by default.

Deavan Clegg IG 02 may 2022 Q&A

The apparent lack of interest in contacting Taeyang is not exclusive to Jihoon.

Deavan shared that his parents have not reached out in any way, despite having her contact info, since she left Korea two years ago.

She has more to say about that, including cultural factors that might have led to Taeyang’s ghosting, below.

Deavan Clegg IG 03 may 2022 Q&A

Deavan admitted that she and Jihoon did not really have an emotional connection.

Instead, after she became pregnant and they were pressured into a relationship, they signed up to the show for the money.

90 Day Fiance very infamously does not pay new cast members much at all, but it seemed worthwhile at the time.

Jihoon Lee takes Deavan Clegg to work

After Jihoon became abusive, Deavan explained, she had him stay with his parents.

However, even though they broke up in November (of 2019), they knew that they had to finish filming if they wanted to get paid.

Many of us already knew that their final episode of The Other Way was bogus, but we didn’t know that it was that bogus.

Deavan Clegg IG 04 may 2022 Q&A

Remember the Tea House scene? Deavan shares that their real relationship was over at this point.

That means that their Korean wedding was also staged.

Note that she doesn’t seem to be accusing production of plotting out, let alone “scripting,” anything … just of pressuring them to keep filming, and only paying them after.

Deavan Clegg IG 05 may 2022 Q&A

Because Deavan had already married Jihoon at his parents’ insistence and had no real intention of moving to Korea, most of the Season 1 drama was phony.

But Deavan and Jihoon apparently hoped that real feelings would come later — which honestly explains so much about their dysfunctional and miserable relationship.

Again, she explained that they kept filming to get paid. 

Deavan Clegg IG 06 may 2022 Q&A

Another major factor for custody of Taeyang (aside from one party seeming entirely disinterested) was residence.

He spent most of his life with his mom, in the United States.

It would have been disorienting to move him to South Korea, even if Jihoon or his family had wanted custody.

Deavan Clegg IG 07 may 2022 Q&A

Deavan admitted that Taeyang probably does not remember Jihoon, since he has not seen him since he was a 13-month-old baby.

Topher Park is Deavan’s partner, and Taeyang thinks of him as a parent — even crying for him more than for Deavan.

This, Deavan explained, is what Jihoon decided when he didn’t accept offers to see, have a relationship with, or even speak to his son.

Deavan Clegg IG 08 may 2022 Q&A

Deavan suspects that, even if she had remained in Korea indefinitely, Jihoon would have behaved the same way.

Culturally, she explained, some divorces end like this, with people writing off their ex and a child with them like a bad memory and moving on.

It’s not universal, but it’s something that she is aware of in Korea and it’s clearly what she experienced.

Deavan Clegg IG 09 may 2022 Q&A

Deavan would love for Taeyang to have a relationship with his grandparents.

However, perhaps in solidarity with their son or perhaps for their own reasons, they have not reached out.

She emphasized that her kids do have a great support network with her family (Taeyang has been spending quality time with Elicia recently), which has to be enough.

Elicia Clegg helps Deavan Clegg get fitted for her wedding

So does this blow the lid off of the 90 Day Fiance franchise? Not exactly.

Deavan and Jihoon’s experience is far from universal, and we all knew about a lot — but not all — of this before Deavan spoke out.

It also sounds like Deavan and Jihoon and their desire to get paid was a driving force behind a good portion of their storyline, rather than production penning a “script” for them to follow.

Deavan Clegg and Jihoon Lee on their second wedding day

Production is known for meddling, but usually it is by asking leading questions, asking people to rephrase, or asking the cast’s friends to stir the pot.

What’s more alarming, albeit not surprising, is Deavan describing production asking if she’d film more even after they knew of the abuse.

Reality television genuinely, desperately needs legal regulation for the protection of the people being filmed and to give transparency to viewers.

Deavan Clegg and Jihoon Lee Finalize Divorce After Two Years: Free at Last!

On Mother’s Day, 90 Day Fiance: The Other Way alum Deavan Clegg announced that she is pregnant.

She and Topher Park are expecting their rainbow baby together.

Deavan’s announcement was met with some confusion from a few fans of the franchise who had not been keeping up after she left the show.

Deavan and Jihoon Lee broke up more than two years ago. And now, finally, their grueling divorce has come to an end.

Jihoon Lee takes Deavan Clegg to work

On Monday, May 23, Deavan Clegg took to her Instagram Story to share some long overdue news.

“After an almost two year battle,” Deavan announced, “I am officially DIVORCED.”

She gushed: “I couldn’t be happier.”

Deavan Clegg IG divorce finalized announcement 23 May 2022

“This journey was very difficult and draining,” Deavan acknowledged.

“After my ex had fired his lawyer,” she revealed, “he never showed up to court nor took up visits.”

Many of us remember when Jihoon cut ties with his attorney after a dubious GoFundMe was set up, seemingly to hire a lawyer paid for by fans who wished to spite Deavan.

Deavan Clegg and Jihoon Lee drive to his mom's

“After almost a year of judge postponing and extending dates for my ex to respond,” Deavan recalled, “we finally made it to court.”

She has now received what many had expected given the criminal investigation into Jihoon combined with online evidence suggesting his disinterest in a custody fight.

Deavan was awarded full sole and full physical custody of 3-year-old Taeyang.

“I can finally speak out about my experience,” Deavan shared.

“And,” she acknowledged, “the hell we went through as a family.”

Deavan assured her fans and followers: “I plan on releasing a video soon.”

To put it bluntly, what was once a love story between Deavan and Jihoon ended in a horror story.

Though Deavan has never been able to speak publicly about any of the details, Jihoon allegedly attacked Deavan’s daughter, Drascilla, in South Korea.

Deavan left with her children, with the exes spinning a simple, palatable, but woefully inadequate story for the cameras to explain her departure.

Jihoon Lee and Deavan Clegg cry together

The reality was that the two entered a custody battle, but not right away.

By all evidence, it appears that Jihoon did not begin to “fight” for Taeyang until a bizarre GoFundMe was set up on his behalf.

Spiteful fans — and perhaps a few who, for their own reasons, sincerely believed that an injustice needed to be righted — donated to hire an attorney to represent Jihoon.

Deavan Clegg confronts Jihoon Lee about naked lady pics

There are lines between feeling a certain way about reality stars and actively changing their lives and their children’s for the worse.

However, Jihoon relatively quickly parted ways with the attorney and the GoFundMe.

We won’t pretend to know exactly what went on, but considering Deavan’s repeated complaints that Jihoon seemed disinterested in keeping up with Taeyang, many fans connected the dots.

Jihoon Lee shows Deavan Clegg the money

Jihoon was always unprepared to be a parent, and his time on 90 Day Fiance: The Other Way did not seem to change that.

Even if he had not been accused of vicious child-abuse — the details of which leaked and horrified many of us — some wondered if he would ever “get it” and be more responsible.

At the same time, some fans speculated that Jihoon may have viewed his renewed childfree life as a mixed blessing. That said, we cannot know his true feelings.

Deavan Clegg and Jihoon Lee in their NEW new apartment

What we can know is that it’s finally over. 

Soon, Deavan will be able to share information directly with fans, though what she chooses to explain is up to her.

She and Drascilla have had time to process and recover from trauma, but that doesn’t mean that talking about any of this will be easy.

Deavan Clegg: Pregnant with Baby #3!

Less than one year ago, Deavan Clegg was in mourning after suffering a miscarriage.

The 90 Day Fiance: The Other Way alum can be polarizing at times, but fans were heartbroken for her and for boyfriend Topher Park.

Now, Deavan has wonderful news — just in time for Mother’s Day.

Deavan is pregnant with a rainbow baby.

Deavan took to Instagram on Sunday, May 8 to share a gorgeous family photoshoot and an exciting update.

“We are happy to annouce baby Park will be arriving Fall 2022,” she wrote.

Deavan included the tags: “#baby #babyannouncement #rainbowbaby #90dayfiancetheotherway #90dayfiance”

Deavan Clegg IG pregnancy announcement (8 May 2022)

In the photo, we see Deavan cradling her baby bump beside boyfriend, Topher Park.

Between them, they’re holding 3-year-old Taeyang, Deavan’s son from her erstwhole marriage to Jihoon.

Beside them stands adorable 5-year-old Drascilla, who is proudly holding up a onesie that is perfect for a newborn.

Deavan Clegg header (9 May 2022)

Deavan posted another photo, this time acknowledging Mother’s Day.

“Happy Mothers Day to all the beautiful, wonderful, amazing mamas, and expecting mamas,” Deavan wrote.

She added: “Also would love to annouce our new YouTube series will be airing soon following our pregnancy journey”

Deavan refers to this pregnancy as a “rainbow baby.”

This term has come to mean the first child born after a miscarriage.

Deavan suffered a miscarriage nearly one year ago. While still living in Korea, she also suffered another before this.

Two years ago, Deavan and her children left South Korea after an extremely upsetting breakup with Jihoon.

Accusing Jihoon of unthinkable abuse, she took her children to the United States so that they could begin the long road to healing and recovery.

While Deavan has been light on details due to the advice of an attorney, the details about what happened with Jihoon that have leaked have been horrifying.

Once back home in the United States, Deavan touched base with a friend whom she had met by chance, model Topher Park.

Friendship blossomed into something more, and they ended up having a whirlwind romance.

Now, Deavan and Topher are ready to have a child together.

Three children are a lot to have at once, but by all accounts, Topher has been great with the kids.

Deavan also has her mother, Elicia, who has been supportive of her daughter and of course loves spending time with her grandchildren.

That doesn’t mean that having three kids won’t be a lot of work, but they’ll manage. Probably.

Interestingly, Deavan has not appeared in the 90 Day Fiance franchise for a while.

She did not have a good time, and understandably so, because editing distorted her storyline in ways that gave viewers an excuse to hate her.

No one is claiming that Deavan is perfect, but the vitriol — including violent threats that adults made against her children — was unspeakable.

Last year, Deavan did make headlines for another reason — for her short-lived friendship with former Teen Mom villain Jenelle Evans.

A project that they were both a part of became a hot topic after Jenelle, whose nightmare husband David Eason has cost her numerous job opportunities, was fired.

Deavan went on to expose alarming things that she had seen from Jenelle and David in even the short time that she had known them.

Ariela Weinberg and Biniyam Shibre: Are They Still Together Ahead of 90 Day Fiance Season 9?

Last year, 90 Day Fiance: The Other Way viewers were not exactly shocked to learn that Ariela and Biniyam are married.

The extremely polarizing couple are returning for 90 Day Fiance Season 9, this time filming in the United States.

But a number of social media hints have suggested that they’ve split since then, and a recent post has followers more convinced than ever.

It wouldn’t be the first time that a couple made it multiple seasons only to break up after getting married. Have they?

Ariela Weinberg celebrated Biniyam Shibre on his birthday this week.

“Happy Birthday to the most adventurous, charismatic, fun, talented, sensitive, and weird dude around… Biniyam Shibre!” she wrote.

“But seriously… you are a great father,” Ari praised.

Ariela Weinberg and Biniyam Shibre are together, got their K-1 visa

“You always do your best to make other people around you happy,” Ariela described.

“And,” she expressed, “I appreciate that kindness.”

Referring to their young son, Ariela wrote: “Avi loves you so much.”

Ariela Weinberg IG birthday tribute to Biniyam 2022

“Keep on shining,” Ariela encouraged Biniyam.

“The USA is looking good on you,” she appraised, acknowledging his U.S. residency.

“But you’d fit in anywhere!” Ariela praised.

Biniyam Shibre and Ariela Weinberg part ways temporarily

“Here’s to another wonderful year on this planet,” Ariela cheered.

She concluded: “You are so loved by so many people!”

That’s very sweet … but not everyone is convinced that it’s anything other than a false flag from one co-parent to another.

Biniyam Shibre explains that his bad behavior was due to anxiety

“She never posts pictures with him anymore. Ever,” one commenter observed.

Another speculated that the two might be “separated or divorced.”

Another pierced the possible subtext of Ariela’s tribute, asking “But do YOU love him Ari??” after reading her “impersonal” tribute.

Biniyam Shibre is here in New York (90 Day Fiance S09)

It may sound like people are reading too much into things from one single post, and you’d be right.

But this comes after an extended period of Ariela and Biniyam showing up in separate photos … often on separate continents.

In fact, pics have shown Ari in Ethiopia, while Biniyam has appeared in pics in New York, often hanging out with Ariela’s family.

Biniyam Shibre is in a new world (90 Day Fiance S09)

That much can be explained, as Ariela has apparently been traveling in Ethiopia in light of the country’s unrest.

(Civil unrest can rise and fall; there was a time when their family stayed out of Ethiopia in order to avoid the conflict altogether)

While we may not understand Ariela’s decision to return to the country (or many of her other choices), we can certainly respect her altruism.

Ariela Weinberg returns, no longer wants to talk to Bini's sisters

Honestly, there could be a simpler explanation for the relative ambiguity of Ariela and Biniyam’s social media activity: they are under contract.

Yes, the world knows that they are married — this was all confirmed late last year.

However, marriage doesn’t mean that they won’t break up, so beyond obvious things like birthday tributes, it makes good sense for them to keep fans guessing ahead of Season 9.

Season 9 premieres later this month, marking this couple’s third season in the franchise.

They’re moving on from The Other Way to the flagship 90 Day Fiance series.

And while the trailer showed things looking explosive for them, that is nothing new.

Ariela Weinberg gets splashed (90 Day Fiance S09)

How polarizing are these two?

To cite a personal example, I have been to one large gathering since the pandemic began, it was a wedding, and even there, I found myself in a conversation about Ariela and Biniyam.

Everyone has an opinion on these two, and the “magic” of polarizing stars is that people can watch the same show and come away with totally different stances and opinions.

Biniyam Shibre reunited with Avi, with Ariela Weinberg

Ariela and Biniyam love each other, are connected through their son.

But are also flawed people whose choices are sometimes inexplicable.

They have different relatives, different religions, and different levels of respect for those respective relatives and religions. It’s a lot.

Aladin Jallali Finds New Love with Wife Maria Talebi After Divorcing Laura

One of the most anticipated couples of 90 Day Fiance: The Other Way‘s premiere season turned out to be a disaster.

Laura and Aladin Jallali divorced years ago, thankfully, after broadcasting their toxicity for all to see.

While Laura has been (allegedly) running through various boy toys, Aladin has moved on in a more serious manner.

In fact, he is now married!

Aladin Jallali and Maria Talebi

Aladin Jallali was only with the Canadian-turned-Floridian-turned-Qatari-turned-Ecuadorian Laura Jallali for a short time.

The two were married, but even by the time of the Tell All special, Aladin had filed to divorce her.

Now, Aladin is looking forward to a much happier future with his new wife, Maria Talebi.

It has been a few years, so here is a brief refresher.

Laura and Tunisian-born Aladin connected over Facebook, despite the obvious age gap of over 20 years.

After eight months of extremely flirtatious (and downright thirsty) online romance, Laura flew to Qatar to meet him.

Cameras followed the couple as they met for the first time.

The two grappled with major cultural differences, from simple misunderstandings to long-term compatibility issues.

There were mixed reviews of their “jiggy-jiggy,” the couple’s infamous nickname for sex.

Another obstacle was Laura’s adult son, Liam.

Liam has spent much of his life having to deal with his mother’s poor choices, and this was yet another.

Despite an unkind edit, many viewers later came to understand that Liam was absolutely right to try to discourage his mother, but to no avail.

Laura and Aladin did get married, having a traditional Tunisian wedding.

By late 2019, the couple had split.

And, as we noted, the pair went through an international divorce … but the ugliness did not stop there.

Laura, to put it simply, badmouthed Aladin with a series of inconsistent stories.

Given her track record over the years, some fans have speculated that she may be a compulsive liar.

She was also unable to return to her former home in Florida … because she was never a U.S. citizen, and had resided without documentation for many years.

Laura Jallali and Raul wtf

Unable to return to Florida and seemingly unable or unwilling to start her life over in Canada, Laura was unsure of where to go after things ended with Aladin.

Castmate Evelin Villegas generously suggested that she come to Colombia, helping her find lodgings as a neighbor.

This quickly turned into Laura feuding with Evelin and Corey Rathgeber, allegedly harassing them, badmouthing them, and possibly even dating Raul.

That was a couple of years ago, however.

On a recent episode of 90 Day Diaries, Laura revealed that she is living in London, Ontario, with her son.

That relationship has been strained, she admitted, and she claimed that she “virtually lost everything” following the divorce.

Aladin’s story has been considerably less dramatic.

Though he has obscured Maria’s face (pretty wise for a reality TV alum), he was sure to show off the rings on their fingers.

Though Aladin had his good and bad moments on screen, we are happy for him and Maria and we wish them both a world of happiness.