By Michael Ilesanmi, star of TLC’s “90 Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After?”, has finally broken his silence on the circumstances surrounding his disappearance earlier this year, shedding light on the deteriorating relationship with his estranged wife, Angela Deem.
In Sunday’s episode of the popular reality series, Ilesanmi, 37, revealed that he left Deem’s Georgia home just four days after the couple returned from filming the season 8 tell-all in New York City. The Nigeria native explained his decision to leave in a recorded video statement.
“After the Tell-All, you know, we went back home and as usual, my wife Angie, you know, she got angry. She started giving me attitude and saying all sorts of things to me. So it got to a point — I just had to leave,” Ilesanmi recounted. He described walking for over five hours before a friend helped him reach a bus station, embarking on an 18-hour journey to an undisclosed location.
Ilesanmi vehemently denied accusations that he used Deem to obtain a U.S. visa, stating, “I’m here for the right reason, of course, yes, from the bottom of my heart.” He expressed disappointment in the reality of their life together, adding, “Unfortunately, what I was expecting wasn’t what I met, you know.”
The couple’s relationship, which began on season 2 of “90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days” in 2018, has been marked by long-distance struggles and visa complications. Ilesanmi finally moved to the United States in December 2023 after a seven-year visa process.
Deem, 58, reported Ilesanmi missing on February 26, sharing on TikTok that he had left with nothing but the clothes on his back. Authorities later located Ilesanmi, who claimed he left due to fear for his life.
The relationship appears to have reached its breaking point, with Deem filing for an annulment on June 20. Court documents obtained by InTouch reveal that Deem accused Ilesanmi of fraudulently entering the marriage “for the purpose of gaining legal permanent resident status in the United States.”
Ilesanmi has since denied these fraud allegations and launched a GoFundMe campaign for legal fees. In response to Deem’s annulment filing, he made counter-accusations of “cruel treatment” and “physical and mental abuse” during their marriage, both in private and during filming of the show.
As the legal battle unfolds, Ilesanmi is seeking a fair division of assets and both temporary and permanent spousal support. The case highlights the complex realities often hidden behind the scenes of reality television romances and international marriages.
TLC has not yet commented on the ongoing legal situation between the estranged couple. Fans of the “90 Day Fiancé” franchise continue to follow the dramatic developments, as the story serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by couples navigating cross-cultural relationships under the spotlight of reality TV.
Source: Toofab
