Statler Riley, known for her appearances on Before the 90 Days and The Other Way, has hit rock bottom following her involvement in two seasons of the show. In a series of recent Instagram stories, Statler admitted to being partly responsible for the challenges she has faced in recent years. She described herself as a “walking doormat” and acknowledged her tendency to be a people pleaser. However, she also called on TLC and her former British partner, Dempsey, to take responsibility for their roles in her downward spiral.
Statler’s life update on Instagram revealed the extent to which being on the show has impacted her. She expressed that the 90-Day Fiancé franchise has completely destroyed her character by forcing her and Dempsey to film fake, scripted scenes for dramatic effect. This portrayal, Statler explained, has deeply affected both her personal and professional life.
Now, approaching 35 years old, Statler is living with her parents—a stark contrast to the life she had envisioned for herself. “A recovering people pleaser, a recovering walking doormat… You know, this has affected my life. This isn’t just some show,” she shared.
Statler also opened up about one of her biggest regrets: trusting Dempsey. She claims that Dempsey used and abandoned her, leaving her financially and emotionally devastated. Statler had helped Dempsey buy a van for their dream of living the “van life” and traveling across Europe together as a couple. Despite Statler paying more than half of the van’s price, it was put in Dempsey’s name.
Eventually, Dempsey sold the van and kept all the money, leaving Statler financially ruined. To make matters worse, Dempsey used the proceeds to travel the world with her new American girlfriend. Statler’s credit score suffered a significant hit, but she is slowly recovering financially.
The emotional toll, however, has been far more challenging. Statler confessed that the betrayal hurt more than the monetary loss. The realization that trust must be earned, not given freely, has been a hard lesson for her. She feels used and discarded, while her former partner continues to benefit from her generosity.Despite everything, Statler remains determined to rebuild her life and learn from her experiences. Her story serves as a cautionary tale about trust and the emotional risks of putting too much faith in others.
