You remember the car window scene. It’s burned into the brain of every TLC fan who tuned in back in 2015. Mark Shoemaker, a 58-year-old piano rental business owner from Maryland, scolding his 19-year-old Filipina fiancée, Nikki Mediano, for leaving fingerprints on the glass. It was uncomfortable. It was tense. Honestly, it felt less like a romance and more like a masterclass in control.
Years have passed since Season 3 wrapped. Most cast members from that era are now full-time influencers, peddling weight-loss gummies or appearing on every spinoff imaginable. But Mark and Nikki 90 Day Fiance became the ultimate exception. They didn't just leave the show; they essentially vanished from the face of the internet. No TikTok dances. No "Link in Bio" updates. Just a vacuum of information that led to some pretty dark theories online.
The Lawsuit That Silenced the Shoemakers
Most people wonder why they never did a Happily Ever After? or a Where Are They Now? special. The answer is actually in the Maryland court records. Mark Shoemaker wasn't just unhappy with how he was edited; he was litigious about it.
In 2017, Mark and Nikki filed a lawsuit against Discovery Communications and Sharp Entertainment. They claimed the production team misrepresented their relationship, making Mark look like a "villain" for drama. But reality TV contracts are notoriously ironclad. The judge eventually tossed the suit, noting that Mark had signed away his right to complain about how he was portrayed—even if that portrayal was "embarrassing" or "denigrating."
Once that legal door slammed shut, the couple went radio silent. They weren't just avoiding fans; they were seemingly done with the entire public eye.
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The 2022 Divorce Filing That Wasn't
For nearly seven years, the only "updates" fans got were unconfirmed sightings at Walmarts or local Maryland festivals. Then, in March 2022, the internet exploded. Public court records showed that Mark Shoemaker had filed for an "absolute divorce" from Nikki in the Baltimore County Circuit Court.
Fans were actually celebrating. On Reddit and Instagram, the #FreeNikki movement felt like it had finally reached its goal. The documents even mentioned a prenuptial agreement—the same one Nikki’s lawyer famously advised her not to sign back in Season 3.
But then, the story took another weird turn.
Why the case was dismissed
Just as quickly as the divorce news broke, it stalled. Mark reportedly filed a motion to seal the records, which a judge denied. A few months later, the case was "dismissed for lack of service" or voluntarily dropped, depending on which legal filing you look at.
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By early 2023, Mark even sent an email to InTouch Weekly declaring, “WE ARE NOT DIVORCED!!!” He insisted they were still together and had never actually separated. It was a bizarre, all-caps defense that only added to the confusion. If they were fine, why file in the first place? Some speculate it was a brief split that they mended; others think it was a legal tactic.
Living Off the Grid in 2026
As of early 2026, Nikki remains one of the only cast members in the history of the franchise to have zero public social media presence. Her Instagram hasn't been updated since 2013—before she even moved to the U.S.
This total lack of a digital footprint is what keeps the "concern" threads alive on Reddit. In a world where every 20-something has a digital life, Nikki’s silence is loud. However, Mark’s daughter, Elise, has occasionally provided breadcrumbs of info on TikTok. While she has been open about her strained relationship with her father, she has hinted in the past that Nikki is, at the very least, alive and going about her life.
The "Clone" Controversy
One reason fans can't let go of this couple is the "replacement" narrative. Mark’s first wife was also from Cebu, Philippines. He bought Nikki the same car he bought his ex. He wanted her to wear his daughter’s old clothes. This behavior wasn't just "quirky" for TV; it suggested a pattern that made viewers genuinely worried for a young woman who had moved across the world with no support system.
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The Reality of the Prenup
The prenuptial agreement is the elephant in the room. If they are still together in 2026, Nikki has now been in the U.S. for over a decade. Legally, her situation has changed significantly since she first landed.
- Green Card Status: By now, she would have long since moved past her initial conditional residency.
- The Prenup's Power: While Mark used the prenup as a "my way or the highway" tool on camera, ten years of marriage can sometimes make those documents easier to challenge in certain jurisdictions, though Maryland law is generally strict about enforcing them.
- Financial Independence: On the show, Nikki had nothing. In 2026, the question is whether she has been able to build a life of her own behind the scenes.
What You Should Know If You’re Following This Story
Trying to find a "real" update on Mark and Nikki 90 Day Fiance is like chasing a ghost. Since they don't participate in the "reality star" economy, you have to rely on public records.
If you’re looking for more info, keep an eye on the Baltimore County Circuit Court Case Search. That is the only place where the truth actually shows up. Don't fall for "leaked" photos on clickbait sites; most of those are just screenshots from 2015.
The most actionable thing for a fan to do? Respect the silence. While the power dynamic of their relationship was troubling to watch, Nikki has made a clear choice to stay offline. Whether that’s her choice or a result of her environment is something only those inside that house in Maryland truly know.
To stay truly updated on the legal status of their marriage, you can periodically check the Maryland Judiciary Case Search portal using their names. It is the most reliable way to see if any new filings have occurred without sifting through rumors.