90 Days Fiance: Happily Ever After's Michael Ilesanmi hints at financial struggles yet again

Michael Ilesanmi, who had once managed to capture viewers' attention on TLC's 90 Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After? with his tumultuous relationship with Angela Deem, is making headlines once again—this time for hinting at possible money woes, which is not the most out of character for him, so to speak.

The Nigerian reality star, who pulled up to the United States in December 2023 on a spousal visa, recently shared a telling Instagram Story that has fans concerned about his financial situation yet again.

The reposted video from @kducketts__ shows a man meticulously recounting dollar bills, accompanied by the caption "How my budget gon be starting January 1st." This low-key, cryptic message comes despite a successful fundraising campaign earlier this year that raised over $50,000 for his legal battles with estranged wife Angela, who filed for an annulment after Michael fled their shared home in February 2024, citing alleged abuse.

Michael Ilesanmi’s time on 90 Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After? explored

Michael's journey through the American immigration system has been anything but smooth. After finally making it to the United States on his spousal visa, his marriage to Angela lasted barely three months before things went south. The breakdown led to Angela pursuing an annulment, pushing Michael Ilesanmi to seek financial support from sympathetic viewers to cover his mounting legal fees.

The response was overwhelming—90 Day Fiancé fans rallied behind Michael Ilesanmi, helping him raise an impressive $52,000 in just weeks, which was a big huzzah for him. The funds were meant to help him prove the legitimacy of his marriage and avoid deportation to Nigeria. Despite this massive show of support from fans, Michael's financial situation still appears to remain precarious at best.

Michael's relationship with finances has always been complicated, particularly during his time on the show. While filming, he notably lacked steady employment—a situation allegedly orchestrated by Angela, who feared workplace romances might threaten their relationship.

The dynamics of their financial relationship took several dramatic turns, including an incident where Michael reportedly blackmailed Angela for $5,000 to delete his Instagram account—a platform she had previously forbidden him from using. Talk about an expensive enforced social media detox.

Things got even more complicated when Angela discovered Michael Ilesanmi's secret savings, which he defended as preparation for a "rainy day" (the rainiest day, more like). This revelation added another layer of tension to their already strained relationship.

Life beyond 90 Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After?

Since leaving Angela, Michael has settled in Houston, Texas, where his social media profile reflects a comfortable existence. His posts depict a well-appointed apartment and frequent excursions with friends, prompting some concerned fans to wonder whether or not his spending habits are the most sustainable.

Without a confirmed full-time job in the United States, Michael Ilesanmi appears to rely primarily on social media content creation for income—a notoriously unpredictable revenue stream in an increasingly saturated market. But in his defense, if all goes well, revenue from social media could just mean wealth beyond measure. However, considering Michael's current theorized situation, this pipe dream seems far from the truth.

While Michael's recent Instagram Story might be nothing more than a relatable joke about post-holiday budgeting, it could also signal genuine concerns about his financial stability. His history on the show revealed a certain financial acumen, suggesting he likely arrived in the United States with some savings. However, the combination of legal fees, living expenses, and the loss of reality TV income might be taking its toll on his 'budget.'

The timing of this post, coming after a significant fundraising effort that did him well and apparent lifestyle upgrades (brand new car, everybody), raises questions about long-term financial planning in the volatile world of reality TV fame. It appears to be anyone's guess whether the reality TV gods are in their favor or not at this point.

As Michael Ilesanmi navigates his new life in Houston while dealing with ongoing legal battles, fans remain divided on whether his social media hints reflect genuine financial strain or simply mirror common post-holiday budget blues.

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90 Day: The Last Resort airs on Mondays at 9 p.m. EST on TLC.

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