In a recent episode of 90 Day Fiance: The Other Way, Manon Berryman opened up about her difficult childhood in France during a conversation with her parents. The emotional discussion revealed her past struggles with feeling like an outsider and experiencing body shaming within her own family and social circles. The talk occurred as Manon, her husband Anthony, and their son have moved back to France in an attempt to save their marriage and find a better family balance.
A Difficult Homecoming
Manon and Anthony Berryman, a couple featured in the show’s seventh season, recently made the major decision to leave their life in Los Angeles and move to France with their young son. This move was portrayed as an effort to reset their relationship, which was strained by the pressures of their life in the U.S. For Manon, this meant returning to a country she had previously sworn never to live in again.
During a game with her parents at their home in France, the conversation turned to her childhood. Her mother expressed surprise at Manon’s decision to return, noting that her daughter had always been adamant about staying away due to the country’s many “issues.”
Recalling a Painful Childhood
Manon did not hold back in explaining her reasons for originally leaving France. She shared vivid memories of her unhappiness and feelings of not belonging.
“When I was here, I was unhappy, miserable. I felt like…a total outsider. I always felt like I didn’t belong in my friend group and all that. But within the family as well,” Manon told her parents.
A significant part of her pain came from comments about her body. She recalled specific criticisms from her own mother, which contributed to a deep-seated insecurity.
“My daughter Manon, she doesn’t eat but yet she’s still overweight.” There was a lot of body shaming. I know that I look different from others,” she shared.
This body shaming experience seems to connect directly to her current career as a plus-size model and body positivity advocate. She has previously stated that the body positivity movement is not as embraced in France as it is in the United States, which added to her reluctance about returning.
A Parent’s Response and a Husband’s Concern
Manon’s parents listened to her emotional account. Her father responded by saying they believed they had done their best as parents. Her mother acknowledged the complexity of the situation, stating that any unkindness was not done on purpose. She emphasized that the most important thing was for Manon to be happy now.
Anthony, Manon’s husband, witnessed the entire conversation. In a private confessional, he expressed worry about how this focus on the past might affect their future in France. He was concerned that “Manon dwelling on the past is gonna make her family less interested in helping us” as they try to establish their new life.
Manon assured her parents that she knew they loved her, but she also stood firm on the impact their parenting had on her.
“However, I can’t deny that you’ve made some parenting choices and helped shape me into the person I am today. Which, back then, was an insecure girl who thought she was a problem. A girl who felt deeply flawed,” Manon added.
She also talked about learning from those experiences and her commitment to making her life in France work now, despite her painful memories.
The Reason Behind the Move to France
The couple’s decision to move to France was a major life change prompted by serious marital struggles. While living in Los Angeles, Manon was the sole breadwinner for the family, working as a successful plus-size model and digital marketing executive. Anthony acted as a stay-at-home dad to their son, Benjamin.
Manon had previously expressed that the “American dream is actually killing me.” She felt that her demanding career was causing her to become estranged from her child, and the dynamic was creating a significant imbalance in her marriage. The constant friction led them to see a move to France as a potential solution, a way to save their union by starting over in a new environment. However, the move has come with its own set of challenges, including the immediate family tensions and the emotional weight of returning to a place where Manon felt so unhappy.
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