Summary
- Nikki Exotika, a trans cast member on 90 Day Fiancé, struggled with acceptance from her mother after undergoing gender reassignment surgery at 19 years old.
- Nikki's mother initially didn't understand or accept her transition and even called her a "freak." However, over time, their relationship has improved, and her mother now loves and accepts her as a daughter.
- As Nikki prepares to reunite with her partner, Justin, in Moldova, she's unsure how his parents will react to her being trans, as they were unaware of her gender identity during their first meeting.
90 Day Fiancé star Nicole Sanders, AKA Nikki Exotika, is a trans cast member on season 10. Nikki, 47, is from Hoboken, New Jersey. She first met her partner, 26-year-old Igor, AKA Justin, 17 years ago in Moldova and got engaged to him. Two years later, Justin came to America but split with Nikki after knowing the truth about her gender at birth. The couple is back together after 15 years, and as Nikki awaits the K-1 visa, she’s still seemingly unsure of whether Justin accepts her. She’s going to Moldova to see if she can make things work before Justin comes to the States again.
Nikki introduced her mom, Myrna, to viewers of 90 Day Fiancé season 10 on episode 2. She spoke about her mom being accepting of her relationship with Justin. Nikki found it funny and ironic because 15 years ago, when Justin came to the U.S. on a K-1 visa, Myrna wanted Nikki to send him back. Myrna questioned Nikki’s outfit choices while packing for her trip to Moldova. She said she was always worried about Nikki’s safety and feelings because not everyone accepts trans women. Nikki’s mom suggested she tone down in Moldova and make a compromise for Justin.
Nikki Yearned For The Acceptance Of Her Mom
Nikki revealed how her connection with her mother took a very long time to come to where it is today. Initially, when Nikki told her mother that she wanted to transition, Myrna told Nikki she wouldn’t accept it. Nikki underwent her gender reassignment surgery when she was 19 years old. Since then, she's been living her life in “stealth,” as she never told anyone that she was born a biological male. Nikki didn’t even intend to tell Justin about it. She happened to accidentally blurt it out two years after they started dating. Justin, who was then in the U.S. on a K-1 visa, was so shocked and betrayed by Nikki that he left for Moldova and lived with depression for years.
Nikki Believed Her Mom Thought She Was A "Freak"
Nikki’s mom knew she had given birth to a boy, and hence, she felt that Nikki would become a “freak” if she changed from a boy to a girl. Nikki was devastated because she was just 17 years old and heard from her parent that she wouldn’t accept her for living the life she knew she wanted to live from the very beginning. From the time she was 17 years old to 19 years old, Nikki and her mom didn’t speak. But that was years ago. Nikki’s mom loves her and accepts her as a daughter. “And sometimes, it takes time,” Nikki explained.
Myrna Regrets Not Being There For Nikki When She Transitioned
Myrna revealed that when Nikki was younger and going through her changes, she wasn’t there for her. She wept while recalling the past and stated she still loved Nikki but just didn’t understand at the time. She regrets her behavior. Nikki’s mom wishes Justin and Justin’s parents could love and accept her. On 90 Day Fiancé, Nikki still has to figure out how Justin’s parents will react to her being trans because they didn’t know it the first time she met them in Moldova. She knows it won’t be an easy thing because it wasn’t easy for her mom to accept her, either.
90 Day Fiancé airs Sundays at 8 p.m. EST on TLC.
Source: Nikki Exotica/Instagram