LOS ANGELES. — The latest episodes of 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days have ignited a firestorm of criticism against Rick Van Vactor. What started as a tropical romance in Madagascar has turned into a cautionary tale of manipulation, as viewers witness the 53-year-old’s «disgusting» behavior toward his 25-year-old partner, Trisha.
The controversy reached a boiling point when Rick admitted to flying to Colombia to sleep with an ex-girlfriend—a move he justified as «retaliation» for Trisha being unavailable for a few days. The «insecure and controlling» label has stuck to Rick like glue, especially after he intentionally waited to be in a secluded location to confess, a move experts and fans alike call a massive red flag.
The Colombian Confession: A Strategic Strike?
The detail that has truly disgusted the fanbase is the «logistics» of Rick’s infidelity. While Trisha was in Madagascar dealing with a terrifying situation—her phone being stolen and a traumatic interaction with local police—Rick was already booking a flight to Colombia. His justification? He felt «ignored.»
«I felt like I was being ghosted, so I went to see my ex,» Rick stated in a recent testimonial. However, viewers were quick to point out the hypocrisy: Rick expected total loyalty while they were still «getting to know each other,» yet he felt entitled to physical intimacy with a former flame the moment communication faltered.
Isolation as a Tool
Perhaps the most chilling part of the saga was the «Tarp Incident» in Madagascar. Rick chose an isolated, remote location to confess his Colombian tryst. By doing so, he ensured that Trisha had no immediate support system and nowhere to go. This «confession» didn’t come from a place of honesty, but rather from a need to clear his own conscience while maintaining control over her reaction.
The «Dad» Red Flag
The tension reached a boiling point when Rick met Trisha’s father. The cultural clash was evident, but the real issue was the silence regarding the future. While Trisha is vocal about wanting to start a family, Rick—who already has five grown children and is old enough to be Trisha’s father—continues to dangle the «maybe» carrot, a move fans believe is a stall tactic to keep her around without ever intending to give her a child.