Secret Signs Michael Ilesanmi Regrets Leaving Angela Deem—The 90 Day Fiancé Star’s American Dream is Cracking

Michael Ilesanmi once dreamed of a future filled with fame, success, and opportunity in the United States, and for a while, he thought he’d found his golden ticket in Angela Deem. When he first connected with the outspoken American grandmother on Facebook, fans of 90 Day Fiancé were intrigued by the unlikely pair: a young Nigerian man in his late 20s and a loud, brash, much older woman who didn’t back down from a fight. Despite the glaring 22-year age gap, Michael and Angela threw themselves into a relationship that would eventually become one of the most explosive storylines in franchise history. From the early days of Before the 90 Days to The Last Resort, the two have screamed, reconciled, accused, cried, and married their way through nearly every spin-off—and now, their most dramatic chapter may just be the aftermath of their split. After enduring years of verbal and emotional turmoil, Michael finally walked away from Angela in February 2024. But is the grass really greener on the other side? As the dust begins to settle, fans have begun spotting subtle signs that Michael may already be regretting his decision to leave the woman who made him a household name.

It’s no secret that Michael endured a tumultuous relationship with Angela, and their onscreen dynamic often left viewers torn. Michael’s early infidelity cast a long shadow over their relationship, and Angela’s reactions—explosive, often cruel, and controlling—pushed the couple into a toxic spiral that never seemed to stop. Yet in early 2020, despite everything, they got married. Many believed the union was doomed from the start, a desperate attempt to save something already broken. As visa delays dragged on and their fights grew more vicious, the relationship deteriorated even further. Still, Michael stayed—until he didn’t. Just months after finally arriving in the U.S., he made a quiet but powerful move: he left. While fans initially praised him for escaping the cycle of abuse, Michael’s behavior in the months that followed told a different story. Instead of rebuilding his life with fresh energy, he seemed to be clinging to the very fame that came from his chaotic partnership with Angela. And now, with social media interest declining and newer cast members stealing the spotlight, cracks in Michael’s confidence are starting to show.

At first, Michael appeared to be thriving post-breakup. He launched new social media accounts, racked up nearly 200,000 followers on Instagram, and began posting motivational content with a big smile and hashtags like #AmericanDream. He seemed intent on rebranding himself as a clean-cut, independent man free from the shadow of Angela’s wrath. But behind the filtered selfies and generic captions, something was missing—traction. In the early days of his solo debut, Michael’s posts were flooded with likes and comments. Fans rooted for him. But as the months wore on, engagement started to drop. His follower growth stalled. The selfies began to look repetitive. Michael’s content, while positive, lacked the fire and chaos that reality TV thrives on. He wasn’t bringing drama anymore, and in the world of 90 Day Fiancé, drama is currency. Slowly but surely, it’s becoming clear that Michael’s rise to fame had less to do with his own charisma—and more to do with the spectacle that was Angela Deem.

Angela may have been unpredictable, volatile, and at times, downright cruel—but she was unforgettable. It’s that unforgettable energy that made her and Michael must-watch TV. Together, they appeared on Before the 90 Days, 90 Day Fiancé, Happily Ever After?, and The Last Resort. Their battles, breakups, and breakdowns were so outrageous that even viewers who hated Angela couldn’t look away. And now, with Angela out of the picture, Michael is struggling to find a new identity that’s equally compelling. He may have envisioned a solo career built on popularity and brand deals, but the harsh reality is that viewers aren’t as interested in the quiet, controversy-free version of Michael. He was the calm to Angela’s storm—and without the storm, there’s little reason to keep watching the calm.

Even more telling are the subtle emotional shifts in Michael’s content and public appearances. Gone is the bold, wide-eyed energy of a man newly freed from a toxic relationship. In its place is something more subdued, almost melancholic. While he continues to promote positivity, there’s an underlying tone of uncertainty. Behind the smiles, he seems to be chasing something that keeps slipping further away: relevance. As 90 Day Fiancé fans shift their focus to newer, more dramatic couples, Michael risks fading into obscurity. And when that spotlight dims, he may finally realize that the fame, opportunities, and audience he once enjoyed were all rooted in the chaos he shared with Angela Deem. Whether he truly loved her or not is still up for debate—but what’s becoming increasingly clear is that he may have underestimated just how much her larger-than-life presence contributed to his own success.

In the end, Michael’s story is a cautionary tale. Fame built on drama rarely survives without it. He may have escaped a relationship that was damaging to his spirit, but he also left behind the very thing that made him unforgettable to millions of viewers. Now, as he faces the slow, quiet fade from the public eye, the question lingers: does he regret leaving Angela, or does he regret what leaving her cost him? Either way, the signs are there—the dwindling engagement, the lack of direction, the absence of buzz. Michael Ilesanmi may be free, but in the world of 90 Day Fiancé, freedom isn’t always the happily ever after it seems.