The 90 Day Fiancé season 11 finale left fans questioning the authenticity of Shekinah Garner and Sarper Güven’s marital struggles. This couple, first seen on 90 Day Fiancé: The Other Way seasons 5 and 6, faced ongoing challenges as they planned their future together. Their relationship has been a rollercoaster, and some clues suggest their drama might be exaggerated for the cameras.
After deciding that living full-time in Turkey wasn’t sustainable, Shekinah and Sarper applied for a K-1 visa, bringing Sarper to the U.S. in Fall 2024. Sarper struggled to adapt without work or family, and the couple’s issues with trust, frequent arguments, and miscommunication persisted. Despite these challenges, they tied the knot. However, at the season 11 Tell All, they revealed deep resentment toward each other.
Just weeks after their wedding, Sarper moved out for ten days. They stayed in separate rooms the night before the Tell All, and Shekinah spent Christmas alone. Yet, several inconsistencies hint that their troubles might not be as severe as they appear.
Shekinah and Sarper’s financial situation seems inconsistent. They agreed Sarper would cover Shekinah’s trips to Turkey since she was traveling frequently. However, as a fitness instructor who lost half his clients when Shekinah barred him from training women, it’s unclear how Sarper funded this. Meanwhile, Shekinah appeared wealthy, affording plastic surgeries, boarding school for her daughter, and a glamorous Los Angeles lifestyle.
During season 11, discussions about a prenup revealed surprising details. Shekinah suggested a prenup would protect both of them, but Sarper opposed it. Shekinah then claimed Sarper had more assets than her, contradicting the narrative that he depends on her financially in the U.S. This discrepancy suggests their portrayed financial dynamic may not be entirely accurate.
A major revelation in season 11 was Sarper’s previous marriage, which wasn’t mentioned in their two seasons on The Other Way. Fans already knew Sarper had a child he doesn’t see and wanted a child with Shekinah, but that storyline was sidelined. Instead, Sarper’s divorcee status emerged, adding drama to their story. Sarper insists he’s only ever loved Shekinah, which makes his past marriage seem like a convenient plot device to amplify their conflicts. The emphasis on Sarper’s “player” past feels staged, possibly to mirror his regret over his first divorce.
Despite their on-screen tension, evidence suggests Shekinah and Sarper’s relationship is more stable off-camera. At the Tell All, after a heated argument, Sarper gave Shekinah a long-overdue large wedding ring, and they reconciled in an overly sentimental way. The gesture felt rehearsed, especially given their recent bitterness.
Additionally, a 90 Day Fiancé fan (via u/PolishSnake2 on Reddit) spotted Shekinah and Sarper with Sarper’s parents in the U.S., traveling from Miami to Los Angeles. Sarper is close to his parents, so their visit indicates the couple’s relationship is likely stronger than portrayed. This sighting suggests they may be playing up their issues for the show.
Shekinah and Sarper might be exaggerating their drama to stay relevant in the 90 Day Fiancé franchise. By introducing new relationship angles, like Sarper’s past marriage and their marital woes, they create compelling storylines to keep viewers hooked. Shekinah, who previously appeared on Baggage and Millionaire Matchmaker, is no stranger to reality TV and may be aiming to maintain her fame.
Rumors have circulated that Shekinah, Sarper, and her family, who give off a Kardashian-like vibe, could get their own spinoff. Alternatively, their troubles might position them for 90 Day: The Last Resort, a therapy-focused spinoff. Whether their problems are genuine or not, the couple seems to thrive on the attention the franchise provides.
The 90 Day Fiancé series often recycles cast members with predictable storylines, and Shekinah and Sarper may be following this pattern. While they present their issues as real, the inconsistencies between their on-screen drama and off-screen behavior suggest some of it may be for show.