It seems 2019 has been a challenge for 90 Day Fiance couple Ashley Martson and Jay Smith. After a series of misguided publicity stunts, such as filing then retracting a divorce petition, fans of the reality show have been questioning the couple’s every move. Those on social media that have turned on them are convinced that Ashley and Jay are scamming their followers.
The next logical question is did Ashley really use the money donated to her Go Fund Me for medical expenses? Ashley’s friends set up the account last month on her behalf. It coincided with her most recent hospital stay in January when she was admitted with kidney failure. At the time, Ashley was facing a long recovery and daunting medical bills. Because of the backlash, Ashley decided to return the money. According to her statement, it was never withdrawn.
Ashley posted the following message in her Instagram story last week, “was I sick? Yes. Did Go Fund Me review my hospitalization to eliminate fraud? Yes. Did my diagnosis improve from the beginning to the end of my hospitalization? Yes.”
Ashley then explained why she is returning the money, “however, $3K is not worth the speculation that I scammed you on this too. I appreciate the support, but I want to eliminate all other reasons for you haters to keep going off. The money was never withdrawn from the GFM account. I initiated a return last week and it’s on its way to you. If you’re still complaining then you obviously didn’t donate anyway. Please contact GFM directly if your return has not yet arrived.”
So what caused all the suspicion in the first place? For those following on social media, it’s been the dichotomy of vacation photos and hospital visits. As if on cue, Ashley is supposedly back in the hospital just as the Go Fund Me drama started. Jay shared a picture of his wife in a hospital bed with a caption saying, “6 day straight in the hospital.”
RELATED: 90 Day Fiance: Ashley Martson Says She & Jay Smith Did Not Separate
Then there was the incident when Jay lived streamed from an Instagram account named callingyououtfraud2. This infamous account was supposedly leaking their personal wedding photos. Reality TV blogger captured the image and posted it to his Instagram page.
Ashley and Jay are definitely on the defensive right now. The very public gesture of returning the donated money seems to be an effort to regain her credibility. It remains to be seen how fans will respond. Since they are filming 90 Day Fiance: Happily Ever After, Ashley and Jay certainly have no intention of stepping out of the spotlight.
RELATED: Ashley Martson Sets Up GoFundMe; Gives Medical Update From Hospital
TELL US- WOULD YOU DONATE TO ASHLEY’S GO FUND ME? SHOULD SHE RETURN THE MONEY? HAS ASHLEY BEEN TRUTHFUL ABOUT HER ILLNESS? DO YOU THINK JAY AND ASHLEY ARE SCAMMERS?
[Photo credit- TLC]
