The 90 Day Fiancé franchise has become a star factory, providing a platform for regular individuals to achieve fame and monetize their newfound visibility. From starting Only Fans pages to launching GoFundMe campaigns, many cast members have leveraged their time on the reality show to garner attention and financial support from fans.
This week, social media buzzed with comments like “Here we go again” as fans reacted to the news that Before The 90 Days Season 7 cast member Chidi had launched a GoFundMe campaign with the help of his sister Victoria. Chidi is seeking to raise $50,000 to address his severe glaucoma, a condition that has left him blind. Chidi’s vision issues began after he was struck in the right eye with an apple, leading to the loss of vision in that eye and subsequent difficulties in his daily life. Despite his struggles, Chidi holds onto hope that his blindness is not permanent and can be treated.
Chidi’s situation drew comparisons to fellow Nigerian cast member Michael Ilesanmi, who previously had one of the most successful fundraising campaigns in the 90 Day Fiance franchise’s history, raising over $53,000 in a very short time. Chidi aspires to achieve similar success, believing that his campaign is for a worthy cause. However, the announcement was met with skepticism, with some fans labeling him as just another Nigerian scammer.
The reality, however, is more nuanced. Chidi’s disability has profoundly impacted his life, making him dependent on family members like his sister for support. This dependency has also affected his romantic life, adding to the challenges he faces. For Chidi, the exposure he received from being on an American reality TV show presents an opportunity to seek the medical help he needs and regain his sight through the generosity of the show’s fans. As long as Chidi spends the donation money as intended, there is no reason to shame him for trying to cure his blindness and have a better life.
