Money and reality TV usually go hand-in-hand, but not always in the way you'd expect. People think being on a hit show like 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days means you're basically set for life, or at least comfortable. Then you see the Niles and Matilda GoFundMe pop up and reality hits. It turns out that being a fan favorite doesn't actually pay the bills for a complex international move.
Niles Valentine, the guy from Mobile, Alabama, who captured hearts with his neurodivergent journey and his relationship with Matilda Nti from Ghana, found himself in a tight spot. He had lost his job. His parents weren't exactly chipping in. He was stuck in the U.S. while his wife was thousands of miles away, and the "happily ever after" was stalled by a mountain of paperwork and fees.
The $8,000 Question
So, Niles did what many people do when the bank account hits zero but the heart is full. He launched a fundraiser. Specifically, the Niles and Matilda GoFundMe was titled "Help Matilda Reunite with Niles in the USA."
The goal was $8,000.
Honestly, that sounds like a lot for a plane ticket, right? But if you’ve ever looked into K-1 or CR-1 visas, you know it's not just the flight. It is the medical exams in Accra. It is the legal fees to make sure the paperwork doesn't get tossed by a bored bureaucrat. It is the visa processing fees that seem to go up every year.
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Why Fans Actually Donated
Most reality stars get roasted for asking for money. People call them "grifters" or tell them to get a "real job." But Niles and Matilda were different.
Matilda won people over with her insane levels of patience. Remember when Niles was struggling to communicate his feelings about the wedding timing? She handled it with so much grace. Fans felt like they owed her a win.
- They saw a "Godly, normal couple" (as one donor put it).
- They appreciated the representation of an autistic man navigating a high-stress relationship.
- They just wanted to see Matilda finally get to Alabama.
By the time the campaign gained traction in early 2025, it didn't just hit the goal. It smashed it. The fundraiser reached over 220% of its target, bringing in more than $18,000. That is a massive cushion for a couple starting from scratch.
The Controversy Behind the Screen
Of course, it wasn't all sunshine. Some viewers were skeptical. There were rumors and "snark" on Reddit about whether Niles was being 100% honest about his finances. Some pointed out that TLC cast members do get paid, though the amounts for the Before the 90 Days crew are notoriously low—often just $1,000 to $1,500 per episode.
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And let's be real: that doesn't cover a spouse's immigration.
Niles went quiet for a while after the money started rolling in. This silence sparked the usual internet firestorms. "Did he take the money and run?" "Is Matilda even coming?" Then, in May 2025, he finally broke the silence. He hopped on a livestream and told everyone that the visa process had officially started and that it was "super exciting."
What Most People Get Wrong About the Process
People think a GoFundMe is a "get out of jail free" card. It’s not. Even with $18,000 in the bank, the U.S. government doesn't move faster. You can't bribe your way to the front of the line at the embassy.
The Niles and Matilda GoFundMe was a financial bridge, but the couple still had to deal with the "concrete" reality of wait times. As of late 2025 and moving into 2026, the couple has been navigating the final hurdles.
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If you're following their story, the best thing to do isn't just to watch the old episodes. Keep an eye on their direct social media updates. The fundraiser is essentially closed to new donations now that they've exceeded their goal, but the impact of those 700+ donors is what's literally putting Matilda on a plane.
Actionable Steps for Supporters and Watchers
If you're invested in the Niles and Matilda saga, or if you're in a similar spot trying to bring a loved one to the U.S., here is how to handle the situation:
- Check the Official Updates: Don't rely on "tea" channels. Niles has been more active on Instagram lately, sharing bits of their life as they prepare for her arrival.
- Understand the Costs: If you are planning an international move like theirs, budget at least $10,000 for the total process from start to finish. The GoFundMe was a life-saver for them because they started from a deficit.
- Verify Before Donating: Always ensure a fundraiser is organized by the actual person or a verified beneficiary. In this case, Niles Valentine was the verified organizer.
- Patience is Key: Immigration takes 12-24 months on average. Just because they raised the money in February doesn't mean she lands in March.
The story of the Niles and Matilda GoFundMe is ultimately a reminder that even "famous" people face the same grueling, expensive, and heart-wrenching barriers as everyone else when it comes to love and borders.