Stevi Nichole from 90 Day Fiancé has been keeping many secrets from viewers and one of them is about her health. Originally from Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Stevi met Mahdi Al-Saadi while teaching English online. After a brief one-week meeting in person, they became engaged and began the K-1 visa process to marry in the U.S. Stevi is a painter by profession. It was something that struck Mahdi odd due to his culture. Stevi has been accused of trying to hide her sexuality from Mahdi, despite him repeatedly confronting her about it.
Stevi opened up about a health condition which could be affecting how she acts with Mahdi during 90 Day Fiancé season 11.
Stevi shared an Instagram post captioned, “They say I’m full of secrets…here is one more.” Stevi added that she wanted to be “real” with the people who watch the show and support her. “So I have type one narcolepsy and in a nutshell, that basically means that I get super tired a lot and sometimes my body just wants to take a little break,” Stevi explained, adding that at times, it happens “without warning.” Stevi spoke about having “cataplexy,” describing it as feeling “strong emotions” like laughing or getting excited or surprised.
“Your muscles can go weak and this can last for just a little while.”
Stevi is awake when this happens, but her body shuts down for a little bit. It’s like her brain and body are not on the same page. Stevi got diagnosed in her early 30s after taking a sleep test. She believes that others thought she was a “little odd” with her sleeping habits. She would fall asleep at the worst times and have night terrors apart from feeling extreme exhaustion. However, people would ask her to get more sleep at night or tell her that she was depressed. Stevi noted that Mahdi knows that she is “like this.”
What Stevi’s Diagnosis Means For Her Relationship With Mahdi
Is Stevi’s Condition Behind Her Silence With Mahdi?
Mahdi has repeatedly asked Stevi whether she is bisexual, hoping for a clear answer, but she continues to avoid giving one. While it may seem like a simple yes-or-no, Stevi’s hesitation made her appear dismissive of his feelings and unaware of the cultural challenges he’s facing, especially in response to her artwork, which clearly shocked him. Her reluctance to be upfront comes across as evasive, as if she’s delaying the truth out of fear he might leave. It’s something she should have shared during the early stages of their relationship. By keeping it from him, she’s essentially lying by omission.
However, Stevi recently revealed that she has narcolepsy, which may lead some to believe she’s using the condition as an excuse for not being more open. In reality, her health issues could genuinely be affecting her ability to communicate. Narcolepsy can cause slowed thinking and mental fatigue, which may make it difficult for her to express herself clearly or keep up with conversations. At times, Stevi also appears disengaged during serious discussions with Mahdi, particularly about her sexual identity, and this could be a result of the cognitive effects of her condition.
Our Take On Stevi Opening Up About Narcolepsy
Stevi’s supporters are now praising her for opening up about her condition. While it was not addressed on the show, unlike cast members such as Kris Foster who have spoken about similar issues, Stevi may have chosen to stay quiet to avoid making it seem like an excuse for her behavior. However, with ongoing online speculation since her 90 Day Fiancé debut, speaking out was the right move. By sharing her story, she is helping raise awareness and contributing to a more informed and supportive conversation within the community.
90 Day Fiancé airs Sundays at 8 p.m. EDT on TLC.
Source: Stevi Nichole/Instagram