TLC’s “90 Day Fiancé” follows unconventional couples from the United States and around the world as they find out whether their relationships can survive long enough to reach the altar—and secure a green card. The franchise has introduced viewers to plenty of memorable personalities willing to travel almost anywhere in search of love. But sharing a life with someone can reveal plenty of surprises, particularly when a couple has spent much of its relationship apart. Differences in habits, cleanliness, language, and culture often fuel the dramatic clashes that make the series so addictive. Every so often, those tensions become even more complicated when a third person enters the romance.
Season 12 of “90 Day Fiancé” spotlighted the controversial pairing of Catie Norboe and Joshua Atkins. The couple seemed to be caught in a love triangle with nearly everyone—or at least with anyone Norboe felt like kissing after a few drinks. Some viewers even wondered whether Atkins was determined to obtain his green card, given how much of Norboe’s behavior he appeared willing to tolerate. Their situation was hardly the franchise’s first scandalous romantic entanglement. Over the years, “90 Day Fiancé” has delivered several love triangles that became central to their respective seasons.
Laura might have loved being in the middle of a Birkan and Michael sandwich
Laura Nevenner and Birkan Kuzoren appeared on Season 8 of “90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days,” and complications involving a third person were apparent almost immediately. Nevenner lived in Vancouver, Washington, where she regularly spent time with her best friend, Michal. They shared interests, hobbies, and the same state, while some of Nevenner’s friends believed they were a couple because of how close they were and how long they had known each other. Her boyfriend, Kuzoren, was living in Turkey, setting the stage for obvious tension.
Although Nevenner and Michal described themselves as best friends, the season suggested their connection was more complicated. When Nevenner introduced Michal, she acknowledged that their relationship “have been confusing at times” (via Swooon). Kuzoren’s first meeting with Michal became one of the show’s most uncomfortable encounters. Kuzoren barely received a word from Michal, while Michal also made rude remarks, and Kuzoren appeared visibly jealous of the friendship—though he would likely dispute that interpretation. When Kuzoren confronted Michal, Michal claimed that Nevenner had been the one to make a move, revealing that she had apparently tried to kiss him the previous year. The situation was undeniably awkward.
Nevenner and Kuzoren eventually ended their engagement because of several problems unrelated to Michal, including Kuzoren’s gambling issue. Still, the drama suggested that Nevenner may have enjoyed being at the center of two men’s attention.
Stephanie, Ryan and Harris’ love triangle kept it all in the family.
Stephanie Davison and Ryan Carr were featured on Season 8 of “90 Day Fiancé.” Unfortunately, things were rocky from the beginning. When Carr introduced himself on the show, he explained how he wanted to come to America to be with Davison. However, he also chimed in with the fact that he spent lots of time with the mother of his children in Belize, where he’s from. The clip shows Carr being quite affectionate with his baby mama, Emma. Plus, Davison and Carr had already built up trust issues when Davison learned that Carr was texting another woman. Eek. But the awkwardness doesn’t stop there.
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For many “90 Day Fiancé” cast members, a single episode can permanently damage their public image. Davison faced that risk after revealing that she had slept with Carr’s cousin, Harris Flowers. The encounter happened while Davison and Carr were briefly separated before reconciling, making the revelation especially damaging. Carr’s response was surprising—not because he reacted strongly, but because he seemed remarkably calm about the betrayal. He said he had known about Davison and his cousin’s fling all along, forgave Davison, and cut off Flowers. Davison later claimed the story was only “2% true” (via Screen Rant), offering another example of how much of “90 Day Fiancé” may be manufactured for television.
Sean, Abby, and Chris taught us to never stay friends with an ex
This love triangle also involved a close male friend, although in this case the friend was an ex. Sean Hiler and Abby St. Germain appeared during Season 1 of “90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days.” Hiler was 47 when he met St. Germain, who was just 20, creating a notable age gap. St. Germain had previously been involved in another relationship with a significant age difference: Her ex, Chris, was 64 when he appeared on the series.
Remaining close to an ex can be difficult when one partner is trying to build a new relationship, and Hiler understandably felt uneasy about St. Germain’s friendship with Chris. She repeatedly assured Hiler that there was nothing to worry about, but the lingering tension between her and Chris was difficult to ignore. At one point, she even accidentally called Hiler “Chris” during an interview. Hiler and St. Germain ultimately went their separate ways. St. Germain married Louis Dubell in 2020, and the couple has since started a family.
Matt, Amani and Any’s throupling became the messiest love triangle of all
Matt Jlassi, Amani Jlassi, and Any Aguirre became the first throuple featured in the “90 Day Fiancé” universe. Matt and Amani appeared together on Season 11 after 10 years of marriage and having several children. They later decided to explore an open relationship and met Aguirre during a vacation in Mexico. The three quickly developed a powerful connection, and Amani told People that their relationship came together naturally. “They say the best things in life aren’t even planned. They just happen, and it’s one of those,” she said.
The arrangement initially seemed promising, but problems soon emerged. Matt and Amani had a decade of shared history before Aguirre joined their relationship, and that imbalance could easily leave someone feeling excluded—especially when much of the relationship was long-distance. During a visit to Aguirre in Mexico, however, Amani became the one who felt pushed aside. She was left out of intimate moments and introduced as a “friend” to Aguirre’s family, making it increasingly apparent that Aguirre favored one partner. When the time came to pursue a K-1 visa, Aguirre made it clear whom she preferred to marry, further straining her relationship with Amani. The throuple ultimately ended, but according to Swooon, Matt and Amani remain together. If their marriage survived a TLC throuple storyline, they may be able to weather almost anything.