No Wonder ‘90 Day Fiance’ Stars Beg for Cash — Their Paychecks Are Seriously Wimpy

Deavan Clegg

In August 2023, Deavan Clegg, who made her debut on 90 Day Fiancé: The Other Way season 1 alongside now ex-husband Jihoon Lee, said the stars of the franchise are “severely” underpaid. “We only got $1,000 per episode we were featured in,” she wrote on her Instagram Stories in a Q&A with fans. “We paid all travel costs, parking (when filming) food most days. Sometimes we would be reimbursed for certain things like clothing.” 

Deavan added that they did not receive payment until the season was finished filming. “So for season 2, I wasn’t paid out completely till almost a year after filming. We did get $1,500 for the tell-all,” she continued. “If I were to compare [the] cost to what needed to be spent to get to locations, food, clothing that wasn’t reimbursed, I was close to breaking even.”

Chris Thieneman and Nikki Cooper

They were friends with David Toborowsky, one of the main cast members, and even let the crew film in their house. However, the couple claimed they only got “one dinner” and reimbursement for the cleaning fees they paid to have their house tidied up after production left their home a little dirty.

Danielle Jbali

“We don’t make millions from doing the TV show,” she wrote via social media in 2018. “For those of you questioning what happened to my show money. I bought my home, bought appliances, did some repairs to the home, paid for a STNA class, put down a payment on a newer car. It was not spent foolishly.” 

In a June 16 interview with the Domenick Nati Show, Danielle shared more insight about the money she makes from the franchise. “It’s close to around $10,000 if you are in all episodes for the season,” she said. When she first started the show in 2014, she got half up front and half at the end. And if you break your non-disclosure agreement [NDA], “you don’t get the rest of your money.”

Danielle claimed their NDAs must be honored until nine months after their last episode or they won’t get paid. Due to the circumstances, the star has “always” kept her job as a reliable source of income.

Paul Staehle and Karine Martins

In November 2018, the father of one cleared the air about their financial situation after launching a GoFundMe page so his wife, Karine, could see her family in Brazil during Christmas.

“We are treated very good by production. Also, yes we do get paid. However our story is extremely expensive and difficult for production. It costs production probably more on our story than any other couple,” he wrote on Facebook. “Production is not allowed to pay for any travel, lodging, translators, or in any way aid the visa process or pay towards any of it.”

Anfisa Arkhipchenko

Anfisa Arkhipchenko revealed that the show’s low salary is one of the reasons she didn’t appear in any 90 Day Fiancé spinoffs following her appearance on the flagship series.

“I know my worth and I wasn’t treated well or getting what I deserve,” she wrote via her Instagram Stories on September 14. “I don’t agree to be a clown for pennies on a dollar while the network makes millions.”

The former reality star continued, “Wish other people would do the same and stop this exploitation, but unfortunately for others, it’s their only way to make a living.”

Jibri Bell and Miona Bell

Following their appearance on season 9 of the franchise, Jibri seemingly confirmed the network doesn’t financially compensate the foreigners that move to the U.S.

“Miona Bell is the most beautiful woman to ever air on television,” the Rapid City, South Dakota, native wrote via his Instagram Stories in September 2022. “TLC, you should have paid her.”