Fans of 90 Day Fiance are calling out the reality show for airing a culturally insensitive scene during last Sunday’s episode. The scene involves the couple David and Annie, who just got engaged in Thailand in a traditional Thai ceremony.
David, 48, is a divorcee who has just recovered from a stroke. After losing his wife, job, house, and literally just about everything, he went to Thailand to seek peace. There, he met 24-year-old Annie, a bar singer from a poor village.
To get Annie’s parents’ approval, David had to honor certain Thai traditions, such as giving the family $1,500 as a dowry. David also spent the last of his savings to buy two water buffalos as a gift for Annie’s parents. In Thailand, it is said that buffalos are more valuable than gold and having one is an important status symbol.
Now jobless and penniless, David is preparing to take Annie back to America with him. He gets help from Chris and Nikki, his American friends who are visiting them in Bangkok. Chris and Nikki have agreed to let David and Annie stay with them in their house until David secures his own apartment.
David’s Best Friend Asks For A Thai Massage
In last Sunday’s episode, they were seen discussing their would-be living arrangements over drinks. The conversation got a little tense when Chris told Annie that while she can’t legally work under the K-1 visa, she has to earn her keep . He suggested for Annie to do things around the house, such as cooking Thai food.
“When you’re on your 90-day visa, you’re not allowed to work, but we would like you to maybe volunteer to do some things. Like, I like Thai food,” David’s friend said.
Unfortunately, Chris didn’t stop there. In a cringe-worthy moment, he jokingly asked if Annie could maybe give him “Thai massages by the pool.”
“Is that something you would be cool to volunteer to give me a massage or something by the pool?”
Don’t forget to tune in to #90DayFiance Sunday at 8/7c! pic.twitter.com/YWZQficiCe
— TLC Network (@TLC) November 4, 2017
Many 90 Day Fiance fans think that Chris’ comments were culturally insensitive and inappropriate. Many took to Twitter to express their shock and disgust.
“If I was David & my buddy Chris asked for a massage from my future wife, I would’ve throat punched his a**,” one fan tweeted.
I don’t know what shocked me more Chris asking for a Thai massage, or his wife not slapping him after. #90DayFiance
— Heather E. Phillips (@Heathery1018) November 6, 2017
Is 90 Day Fiance Scripted?
Now, David’s friends are coming out to defend themselves. Chris and Nikki went on one Facebook fan page to respond to fans’ outburst about the Thai massage scene.
According to Starcasm, the couple dissed TLC and 90 Day Fiance as being scripted . The two claimed that the show’s producers told Chris to say the specific lines.
“Yes, the awkward scene of Chris asking for a massage was SCRIPTED,” Nikki wrote.
“The producer asked him to say it & Chris had to say it more than once because it didn’t come off as natural. We were fed our lines while sitting at the table, which is why no one reacted.”
#90Day OMG?! David’s BFF asks if Annie can give him massages. #90DayFiance https://t.co/RONmZuq4xt pic.twitter.com/2txDJs1Znx
— TLC Network (@TLC) November 5, 2017
Furthermore, the two revealed that they were not paid for appearing on the show. David, on the other hand, was paid $1,000 per episode and another $2,500 to be part of a Tell-All special. According to Chris, he only agreed to take part in 90 Day Fiance to help out his best friend.
In the end, Chris said that he’s learned his lesson. He also insisted that despite what came out on the show, he has always been “respectful” to Annie in real life.
“There isn’t any other excuse than stupidity…I was naive to think that since I wasn’t a real cast member that I wouldn’t be singled out. I will own up to my mistake. But as I have said before we have been nothing but respectful and helpful to Annie.”
90 Day Fiance fans! Did you catch this particular scene between David’s friends and Annie? Do you think TLC producers planned the conversation to be controversial all along? Sound off your thoughts below!
90 Day Fiance Season 5 airs every Sunday, 9 p.m. on TLC.
[Featured Image by David Toborowsy/ Facebook ]
