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Sorry, not sorry! 90 Day Fiancé stars Steven Frend and Olga Koshimbetova got a lot of backlash from fans last month when they asked fans for money on GoFundMe. The couple set their fundraiser goal at $15,000 for “child expenses” for this son Richie as they prepare to start their lives together in America once Olga completes her K-1 visa process. But now, an insider exclusively revealed to In Touch that Steven, 21, and Olga, 20, have no regrets about their decision to ask TLC viewers for donations — even if they got a lot of hate from others, including fellow 90 Day Fiancé star Ricky Reyes. Scroll through the gallery to find out what Steven and Olga had to say to all of their haters!
A source tells In Touch that “at the end of the day, they never made one person donate. Everyone had a choice.” The insider says Steven and Olga made the GoFundMe because people messaged them daily to try to help them out, and they didn’t feel comfortable giving their addresses.
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The source says they “raised nearly $6,000” and Steven put it all into his long-term savings account “for when Olga and Richie arrive to buy his bed and anything he needs.”
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Steven launched the GoFundMe in December 2018, and he was very candid about what he would be using the funds for.
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“Drastic times call for drastic measures, as myself (Steven) am only 21 years old. Trying my hardest to get my life on the right track and I feel as if I’m doing a great job,” he wrote in the story description for their GoFundMe.
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“But we face certain hardships. Olga will be unable to work for an extensive period of time, as for myself I just landed a job opportunity as a Fire Sprinkler Installer (Apprenticeship Program) the training is [four] years long,” he continued.
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Steven went on to explain that he will be making $16 an hour while he is in the training program, and he’ll be eligible for raises every six months.
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He also said that he will be attending school while working at his training program.
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Courtesy Olga Koshimbetova/Instagram
He said that he will fit in classes around his work schedule, but it will take him eight years to complete school.
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“But $16 an hour isn’t enough to support a family of [three] as well as taking care of home bills, gas, etc,” Steven continued in the GoFundMe description.
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“I’m very nervous [about] how things will play out but I have faith God will take matters into his own hands. I’m not asking for a lot, in a matter of fact I feel ashamed having to make this campaign but I must do what is best to support my family,” he wrote.
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By the time their GoFundMe was over, Steven and Olga raised $5,920 out of their $15,000 goal.
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Many people felt that Steven and Olga should not be asking for donations to care for their child and start their lives together — including 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days alum Ricky.
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Ricky recently took to Instagram to slam his fellow franchise stars who use GoFundMe to raise money from their fans.
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Courtesy of Steven Frend/Instagram
“I don’t care if somebody likes me or not, but if you’re part of the 90 Day Fiancé show, if you have some issues financially — I understand TLC don’t pay –t, it’s true,” he continued. “But if you have some issues financially, medically, or whatever is the f–king reason — you got three million people that watch the show.”
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Courtesy Olga Koshimbetova/Instagram
“Offer a product or offer a service. Simply say, ‘Listen, I’m gonna charge a premium because I need it for this and that.’ Don’t f–king beg,” he explained. “GoFundMe was designed for real people, actual real victims that are not on TV. You have three million f–king people that see your face. Think.”