Honestly, when we first saw Zied Hakimi on our screens back in 2019, most people thought it was a disaster waiting to happen. You remember the "I love cook my sister" shirt? Or the way Rebecca Parrott used those heavy filters on every single photo she sent him before they met in Tunisia? It felt like the classic setup for a reality TV crash. But here we are, years later, and Zied 90 Day Fiance has become one of the rare success stories in a franchise that usually produces more divorces than actual marriages.
It’s weird.
The internet was convinced he was "scamming" her. They looked at the age gap—Rebecca was in her late 40s and Zied was in his mid-20s—and assumed he just wanted a green card. But if you've been following their journey from Before the 90 Days Season 3 through 90 Day Fiance Season 8 and beyond, the reality is way more nuanced. Zied didn't fit the "villain" mold people tried to force him into. He was just a guy from Tunis who really, really liked a woman from Georgia.
The Cultural Shock Nobody Talked About
When Zied finally landed in the United States, it wasn't the glamorous dream most people expect. He moved to Canton, Georgia. If you’ve never been, it’s not exactly the bustling metropolis of Atlanta. It’s suburban. It’s quiet.
For a young guy who spent his time in crowded Tunisian cafes and hanging out with a massive social circle, the isolation was real. People forget that Zied couldn't work for months. He couldn't drive. He was basically stuck in an apartment while Rebecca worked long hours at Joella’s Hot Chicken. That kind of boredom ruins relationships. It creates resentment.
But Zied handled it with this sort of calm patience that actually started to win fans over. He wasn't demanding. He wasn't throwing fits about money. He was just... there. Waiting.
That Infamous Apartment and the Furniture Drama
Remember the "no furniture" era? Rebecca and Zied moved into a new place, and for a while, they were basically living on the floor. Most 27-year-olds would have been complaining 24/7. Zied just sat on a packing crate and made it work.
It showed a side of him that was surprisingly low-maintenance. He had this "everything will be okay" vibe that balanced out Rebecca's high-stress personality. She was constantly worried about her past—specifically her ex-husband from Morocco—and she projected a lot of that trauma onto Zied. It was unfair. He wasn't her ex. He was a completely different person with a completely different temperament.
The Transformation: More Than Just a Haircut
If you look at photos of Zied from his first season compared to now, the glow-up is insane. He went from the greasy, long-haired look with the tight shirts to a much more polished, Americanized style.
- He cut the hair.
- He started working out.
- He figured out his own personal brand.
But the change wasn't just physical. Zied's English improved drastically, which allowed his actual personality to shine through. On the show, his limited vocabulary made him seem simpler than he actually is. Once he could express himself, we realized he’s actually pretty funny. He’s observant. He has this dry sense of humor that doesn't always translate through the heavy TLC editing.
The Job Situation
One of the biggest criticisms of Zied 90 Day Fiance was the idea that he’d be a "leech." People love that word. But as soon as he got his work permit, Zied actually got to work. He spent time working at a furniture store (fitting, given the floor-sitting days) and later explored other ventures. He didn't just sit around waiting for Rebecca to pay for everything.
In a 2022 update, it was revealed he even went back to Tunisia for a bit to visit family, and there were rumors about him working in the HVAC industry or trying out acting. He’s hustling. That’s the part the "he's just here for a green card" crowd tends to ignore.
Why the Marriage Actually Lasted
Most 90 Day couples flame out within eighteen months. The pressure of the cameras, the social media hate, and the reality of living with a stranger is too much. So why did Zied and Rebecca beat the odds?
It comes down to loyalty.
Zied is fiercely loyal. Even when Rebecca’s daughter and her boyfriend were being incredibly skeptical—bordering on rude—to him, he didn't snap. He didn't give them a reason to hate him. He just kept showing up.
Also, Rebecca, for all her insecurities, really fought for him. She dealt with the visa paperwork, the financial sponsorship, and the backlash from her own family. They formed a "them against the world" mentality very early on.
The Reality of Their Age Gap
Let’s be real. A 20-year age gap is tough. In Tunisia, Zied was expected to have children. That was a huge plot point. His parents wanted him to have a "traditional" family. Rebecca was already a grandmother.
They had to have some incredibly uncomfortable conversations about their future. Zied eventually admitted that while he loves kids, his love for Rebecca was more important. That’s a massive sacrifice for a man from a culture where lineage is everything. It wasn't a "scam" move; it was a "this is the life I chose" move.
Navigating Life After the Cameras Stop Rolling
Being a "reality star" is a weird job. You're famous but not necessarily rich. Zied and Rebecca have had to navigate the post-show world carefully. They do the Cameos, sure. They do the sponsored posts. But they’ve also tried to maintain a sense of normalcy.
They moved away from the apartment that Rebecca shared with her ex (which was a weird choice to begin with, let’s be honest). They’ve traveled. They’ve dealt with the death of Zied’s beloved father, which was a huge emotional blow that they handled mostly off-camera.
It’s in these quiet moments that you see the strength of their bond. When Zied was grieving, Rebecca was his rock. When Rebecca was stressed about work, Zied was the one keeping things light.
Misconceptions About Zied’s Intentions
People often mistake "wanting a better life" for "scamming."
Does Zied like living in America? Yeah, probably. Most people would prefer the economic opportunities here. But wanting a green card and wanting a marriage aren't mutually exclusive. You can love your spouse and also be happy that you're living in a place with more career growth.
Zied has never shown an interest in leaving Rebecca now that he has his permanent residency. He’s stayed. He’s committed. The "long con" theory just doesn't hold water after this many years.
What We Can Learn From the Zied and Rebecca Saga
If you’re a fan of the show, Zied’s journey is actually a pretty good lesson in not judging a book by its cover—or its filtered Instagram profile.
He taught us that:
- Patience is a superpower. He dealt with a lot of suspicion with total grace.
- Cultural barriers can be bridged. It takes work, but it's possible if both people are flexible.
- Reality TV isn't always reality. The "clueless" Zied we saw in early episodes was largely a product of a language barrier and a specific edit.
Managing Your Own Expectations
If you’re looking at Zied's life and thinking about your own international relationship, don't expect it to be a breeze. The K-1 visa process is grueling. The adjustment period is lonely. You need a partner who, like Zied, is willing to sit on the floor in an empty apartment for a while until things get better.
Final Thoughts on Zied's Legacy
Zied Hakimi is probably one of the most misunderstood cast members in the history of the show. He came in as a meme—a guy with a weird shirt and a "so mach beautiful" catchphrase—and left as a respected husband and immigrant.
He didn't change who he was to fit in; he just grew up. And he did it while the whole world was watching and waiting for him to fail.
Whether you love the couple or still have your doubts, you have to admit that Zied has played the long game perfectly. He’s built a life. He’s kept his marriage intact. And he’s done it with a level of dignity that a lot of American-born cast members could learn from.
Next Steps for Fans:
If you want to keep up with Zied’s actual life without the TLC filters, your best bet is following his official Instagram. He’s much more active there and often posts snippets of his daily life in Georgia, his travels back to Tunisia, and his latest fitness progress. Also, keep an eye on 90 Day Diaries—it’s usually where the most honest, non-scripted updates happen these days. Avoid the "spoiler" accounts that rely on 2021 rumors; most of them are hopelessly outdated. Check the court records or official social tags if you really want to see if they're still together (spoiler: they are).
