Shekinah Garner and Sarper Güven’s bedding on90 Day Fiancédid not have a happily ever-after endingfor the couple.Shekinah and Sarper were first seeninThe Other Wayseason 5, in which the Los Angeles-based single mom traveled to Turkey to live with Sarper. Shekinah had met Sarper on a dating app and became his first girlfriend,despite Sarper being 45 years old. Sarper had been married in the past, but he’d never been serious about any woman until he crossed paths with Shekinah. Meanwhile, she helped Sarper erase his bad boy past.
Sarper and Shekinah disagreed over the idea of having kids or him still keeping trophies that reminded him of the 2500-plus women he’d bedded before her. While Sarper moved to the U.S. on90 Day Fiancéseason 11, he was not too keen on marrying Shekinah and only did it because the clock on his K-1 visa was ticking, and he wanted to be together with her. Sarper and Shekinah eventually married ina unique90 Day Fiancéwedding on a bed. While theirs was celebrated as the 90th wedding in the90 Day Fiancéfranchise, it fizzled quickly.
What Sarper & Shekinah Revealed About Their Marriage On Tell All
Sarper & Shekinah Reveal Major Issues At The Reunion
Sarper and Shekinah arrived separately at the reunion in New York. Sarper admitted he regretted marrying Shekinah. He said they would have been happier if they hadn’t gotten married. Sarper told host Shaun Robinson that their married life was a rollercoaster with its ups and downs. Shekinah claimed thattheir honeymoon period was over really fast, and they didn’t even have a honeymoon. It appears Sarper also never bought Shekinah a wedding ring. Shekinah said that their dynamic changed after Sarper came to America, and he struggled to fit in and live in her space (viaExtraTV.)
“Just everything changed after we got married and that was my biggest fear and it just like came true.”
As per Shekinah,Sarper going through“really bad depression”brought up a lot of anger from him and her. Sarper had always been a control freak, and losing control in his new life made him feel depressed. He said he didn’t“like the marriage”because it brought a lot of new responsibilities and duties into his life. He felt that being dependent on Shekinah was the biggest nightmare in his life. Both of their egos were big, and they clashed, leading to an avalanche of issues. Sarper and Shekinah had been sleeping in separate rooms.
Sarper & Shekinah Never Wanted To Get Married
Sarper & Shekinah Rejected Traditional Marriage Plans
In October 2023, Shekinah and Sarper were one of the new couples introduced to90 Day Fiancé: The Other Wayviewers during season 5. During Q&A sessions on their individual Instagram Stories after their debut, both answered fan questions about potential wedding plans. They each revealed theyhad no intention of walking down the aisle anytime soon. Shekinah was the first to be asked when a wedding might happen, after one follower commented, “Can’t wait to see you both as husband and wife,” prompting her to explain that marriage wasn’t currently in their plans.
Shekinahresponded to a fan’s question by posting a mirror selfie of herself and Sarper in an elevator. Alongside the photo, she shared her perspective on marriage, writing, “Thank you but we don’t really feel like we need to be married in order to be happy together forever.” She further elaborated, calling marriage “a cultural conditioning and dying institution.” Still, Shekinah added that if Sarper were to propose, she would say yes, showing she remained open to the possibility.
“That being said… I would still say yes if he asked. He’s my [forever] person,” Shekinah confessed.
When asked by a fan on Instagram, “Will we be seeing a wedding and children in the future?”Sarperresponded with a photo of himself kissing Shekinah. In his reply, he downplayed the importance of a formal ceremony, writing, “Wedding is just a signature on paper. The main thing is putting that signature to [heart].” His comment suggested that emotional commitment held more value to him than a legal marriage, reflecting the couple’s unconventional approach to their relationship.
Sarper Admitted To Getting Depressed
Sarper Missed The Shekinah He Met In Turkey
Sarper admitted to experiencing depression after relocating from Turkey to Los Angeles to be with Shekinah. In a vulnerable moment, he revealed that hisemotional state fluctuated between feeling like a “10 or a 1,” but he was “mostly a 1,”indicating persistent low moods. He described feeling “useless” and overwhelmed by his new environment and lifestyle. At one point, Sarper even confessed he considered buying a one-way ticket back to Turkey to escape the emotional burden. His struggles highlighted the serious mental toll the transition and cultural shift had on him.
A major source of Sarper’s depression was the sudden loss of independence. Unable to work in the U.S. until after marriage, he felt financially and personally restricted. He openlysaid he felt like“an inmate,”frustrated by the lack of freedom in his day-to-day life. Accustomed to being active and self-sufficient in Turkey, Sarper found the adjustment difficult and emotionally draining. The contrast between his old life and the limitations he now faced in Los Angeles left him feeling trapped, deepening his depression and straining his relationship with Shekinah.
Love Came At A Cost For Shekinah
Shekinah is a licensed esthetician with over 20 years of experience and made significant career sacrifices to support her relationship with Sarper. Frequent trips to Turkey disrupted her ability to maintain a steady client base, causing financial strain. After relocating to Los Angeles, she lived in a small,costly apartment that doubled as her workspace, limiting business growth. Additionally, Sarper’s visa restrictions prevented him from working, increasing financial pressure on Shekinah. Despite these challenges, she remained committed to their relationship, balancing her professional sacrifices with her personal goals.
Sarper Misses His Independence After Settling Down
Sarper was once known for his wild, “bad boy” lifestyle in Turkey, openly admitting to having slept with over 2,500 women. He embraced a carefree, party-filled life, gaining a reputation as a charismatic playboy who enjoyed dating multiple women without commitment. However, when Sarper met Shekinah, he made a deliberate decision to leave that lifestyle behind.Determined to prove his seriousness, he gave up his partying and casual relationships to focus on building a committed, stable partnership with her, showing a more mature and devoted side.
Despite his commitment to Shekinah, Sarper has admitted to missing his past life at times. The excitement, freedom, and social connections he once enjoyed are difficult to forget.Adjusting to a quieter, more responsible lifestylehasn’t been easy, and he has reflected on the fun and wild experiences he left behind. These feelings reveal the personal sacrifices Sarper made for love, highlighting the tension between his desire for stability and the pull of his former “bad boy” identity.
Sarper was fiercely independent, living a “playboy” lifestyle filled with freedom to meet and date many women without commitment. He enjoyed the excitement and control that came with this life. However, after meeting Shekinah, his world changed. She often tracked his location, causing tension and limiting his independence. Sarper has expressed regret,wishing he had never met her, as the relationship forced him to give up his carefree lifestyle. This loss of freedom and constant oversight left him feeling trapped and conflicted about his new life.
Shekinah Can Never Fully Trust Sarper
Sarper’s History Creates Doubt In Shekinah’s Mind
Shekinah struggled to trust Sarper due to his past and ongoing behavior. Sarper admitted to being intimate with nearly 3,000 women,which deeply unsettled her.Despite his claims of faithfulness, Shekinah remains skeptical, questioning whether he can truly change. She has said, “If he can’t own up to his mistakes, he does not have the type of character I need in a man, and I can’t be with him.” Past relationships and accusations of dishonesty have intensified her doubts, leaving their future uncertain and their bond strained even after90 Day Fiancéseason 11 ended.
