It is hard to look away. Whether you find yourself shouting at the screen or scrolling through Reddit threads at 2:00 AM, the saga of Shekinah and Sarper 90 Day Fiancé is arguably one of the most polarizing arcs in the history of the franchise. It’s messy. It’s loud. Honestly, it feels like a fever dream most of the time.
Shekinah Garner, an aesthetician from Los Angeles with a penchant for high-end vibes, and Sarper Güven, a Turkish model and personal trainer who claims to have bedded over 2,500 women, aren't your typical reality TV couple. They don't fit the "star-crossed lovers" mold. Instead, they represent a strange, modern collision of influencer culture, extreme plastic surgery, and old-school control dynamics.
People love to hate them. Or they hate to love them? It’s complicated.
Why the Shekinah and Sarper 90 Day Fiancé Story Feels Different
Most couples on this show struggle with visa issues or language barriers. Not these two. Their biggest hurdles are things like "which nose shape looks best" and "how many calories are in a glass of wine."
When Shekinah first flew to Istanbul to be with Sarper on 90 Day Fiancé: The Other Way, viewers expected a culture clash. What we got was something much weirder. We saw Sarper trying to dictate exactly what Shekinah should weigh. He even had a specific "aesthetic" in mind for her, which included telling her how to dress and how to act in public.
It’s easy to dismiss this as just scripted reality TV nonsense, but the reactions from the audience were visceral. People weren't just bored; they were concerned. There's a fine line between "quirky reality TV villain" and "red flag parade," and Sarper has been dancing on that line since his first episode.
The "Bad Boy" Persona vs. Reality
Sarper loves his reputation. He leans into the playboy image with a level of commitment that is almost impressive if it weren't so cringey. He literally kept a notebook of his past conquests. Who does that?
But here’s the thing: Shekinah didn't run away.
She leaned in.
Shekinah often defends Sarper by saying that he’s just "honest" or that she likes a man who takes charge. This is where the fan base gets divided. Some see Shekinah as a woman who knows exactly what she wants—a high-maintenance lifestyle with a man who treats her like a project—while others see a woman losing her identity to satisfy a partner's ego.
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The Plastic Surgery Elephant in the Room
You can't talk about Shekinah and Sarper 90 Day Fiancé without talking about the transformations. They are both incredibly open about their cosmetic procedures. It’s basically their brand at this point.
Sarper has been very vocal about "designing" Shekinah’s look. During the show, they visited a doctor to discuss her second rhinoplasty. Sarper was the one pointing at the computer screen, showing the surgeon exactly how he wanted her nose to look. It felt less like a medical consultation and more like someone ordering a custom car.
- Shekinah has had multiple facelifts.
- She’s undergone several nose jobs.
- Filler and Botox are basically a lifestyle choice for both of them.
- Sarper himself is no stranger to the needle, maintaining a look that many fans describe as "uncanny valley."
Does this obsession with perfection bring them together? Maybe. It gives them a common language. While other couples are arguing about where to live, they are arguing about the bridge of a nose. It’s a very specific kind of bond.
The Turkey Move: Was It Ever Real?
A lot of fans wondered if Shekinah would actually stay in Turkey. Los Angeles is a long way from Istanbul, not just in miles, but in culture. Shekinah is a mom, too. Her daughter, who was away at boarding school during much of the filming, adds a layer of "wait, what about her?" to the whole situation.
Moving for love is the premise of the show, but for Shekinah, it felt more like a rebranding.
Istanbul is a global hub for medical tourism. If you're going to be obsessed with aesthetics, it’s actually a pretty smart place to be. But the tension between Sarper’s rigid lifestyle—his strict diet, his workout schedule, his desire for total control—and Shekinah’s California upbringing was bound to snap eventually.
We saw hints of this when Shekinah’s friends came to visit. They weren't buying Sarper's "alpha" routine for a second. They saw right through the bravado, and honestly, it was one of the few times the show felt grounded in reality. Seeing her friends' reactions reminded the audience that, in the real world, Sarper’s behavior isn't "dominant"—it’s just exhausting.
Addressing the Backlash and Domestic Allegations
It hasn't been all lip filler and Turkish sunsets. The couple has faced serious scrutiny online. In 2024, rumors and social media posts began circulating regarding the nature of their relationship behind the scenes.
There were allegations of domestic unrest that played out across Instagram stories. This is the dark side of the Shekinah and Sarper 90 Day Fiancé fame. When you build a brand on being a "passionate" or "intense" couple, people start to look for the cracks.
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Sarper’s temper has been a talking point for viewers since day one. He’s been shown losing his cool over small things, like Shekinah not following his "rules." While some fans think it's just for the cameras, others have pointed out that the power imbalance is too skewed to be purely for entertainment.
Shekinah, for her part, has frequently posted "united front" content after these controversies. It’s a classic influencer move: post a photo of you both looking perfect to drown out the noise of a PR disaster. Whether it’s true love or a very committed business partnership, they are staying the course.
The Impact on the 90 Day Franchise
Let's be real: the show has changed. Early seasons were about people genuinely trying to figure out if they could live in a new country. Now, it’s often about who can get the most followers or launch a successful OnlyFans or cosmetic line.
Shekinah and Sarper are the poster children for this new era.
They are hyper-aware of their "characters." Sarper knows that being the villain keeps people talking. Shekinah knows that being the "glamorous but misunderstood" woman gets her clicks. They provide a level of high-gloss drama that the producers crave, even if it leaves the audience feeling a little bit greasy afterward.
What Most People Get Wrong About Them
The biggest misconception is that Shekinah is a victim.
If you watch closely, she’s incredibly calculated. She isn't a wide-eyed girl who got tricked by a smooth talker. She’s an adult woman who has been in the beauty industry for years. She understands the currency of looks.
Shekinah often pushes back on Sarper in ways that don't always make the final edit or get overshadowed by his louder outbursts. She’s choosing this. That’s the part that people find the most frustrating. We want to "save" people on reality TV, but sometimes, they are exactly where they want to be.
They share a vision of what a "power couple" looks like. It just happens to be a vision that involves a lot of surgery and very little body fat.
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The Future of Shekinah and Sarper
Are they still together? As of late 2025 and heading into 2026, the status of Shekinah and Sarper 90 Day Fiancé is a constant "it's complicated." They break up on social media, delete their photos, and then reappear a week later in a coordinated outfit.
It’s a cycle.
- A blowout fight happens (often teased on Instagram).
- Fans speculate that it’s finally over.
- Sarper posts a cryptic quote about "loyalty."
- Shekinah debuts a new look or a new procedure.
- They announce they are "stronger than ever."
This cycle is exactly what keeps them relevant in the 24-hour news cycle of reality TV gossip. Without the drama, they’re just two people who spend a lot of time at the gym. With the drama, they are a headline.
Navigating Relationship Red Flags
If there is anything to learn from watching this couple, it’s how to identify controlling behavior in a relationship. While it's packaged as entertainment, Sarper's insistence on controlling Shekinah's weight, clothing, and even her past is a textbook example of what not to accept in a healthy partnership.
- Autonomy is key: No partner should have the final say on your physical appearance.
- The past is the past: Keeping a "tally" of former partners is a sign of insecurity, not strength.
- Respect over "alpha" dynamics: A relationship should be a partnership, not a hierarchy.
Practical Steps for Fans and Critics
If you're following the Shekinah and Sarper 90 Day Fiancé journey, it's worth looking at the content with a critical eye. Remember that reality TV is edited for maximum conflict. However, the themes they bring up—body image, control, and the "influencer" lifestyle—are very real.
For those who find themselves triggered or overly invested in their toxic dynamics, it might be time to take a step back from the comments sections. The "outrage economy" thrives on couples like this. The more we comment on Sarper's behavior or Shekinah's latest surgery, the more the algorithm feeds them to us.
If you are genuinely concerned about the relationship dynamics shown on screen, supporting organizations that focus on healthy relationship education is a more productive outlet than arguing with strangers on X (formerly Twitter).
The Shekinah and Sarper show will likely continue as long as the ratings stay high. Whether they end up married or as a cautionary tale remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: they know exactly how to keep us watching.
To stay truly informed, follow the official cast social media accounts but take everything with a grain of salt. The "truth" in the 90 Day universe is often filtered, tucked, and injected until it’s barely recognizable—much like the stars of the show themselves. Look for updates on upcoming "Tell All" episodes, as these are usually the only times the facade cracks and we get a glimpse of the actual human beings behind the personas.