Sarper Guven’s Sold-Out NYC Comedy Shows Funded ALS Care for Fellow ’90 Day Fiancé’ Star Jenny Slatten
Sarper Güven is stepping up to help a fellow 90 Day Fiancé star in need.
The TLC alum has parlayed his reality TV fame into a new career as a comedian. And when he learned that Jenny Slatten, who also appears on the hit franchise, was facing a devastating health diagnosis, he decided to do something for her.
Jenny Slatten diagnosed with ALS
Jenny, 68, announced in May that she has ALS, a progressive, fatal neurodegenerative disease. She was diagnosed late last year – roughly 12 months after she initially started experiencing symptoms. At first, she and her husband, Sumit Singh, 38, had kept the “emotional and overwhelming” news private. But as her symptoms worsened, the couple, who live in Sumit’s native India, decided to share their story.
“We were hoping to find some kind of solution before speaking publicly,” they wrote in a joint Instagram post. “But after trying for some time, we feel like it’s time to reach out … Right now, we are open to any kind of help — treatments, clinical trials, lifestyle changes, or anything that could help treat this disease or slow down its progression.”
Since then, the 90 Day: The Last Resort couple have shared several more updates about their plans to seek an emergency visa that would allow Sumit to travel with Jenny to the U.S. for treatment, and her current health, explaining that while she needs help with some activities, she is not bed ridden and can complete many daily tasks on her own.
‘90 Day’ fans and cast members support Jenny and Sumit
Jenny and Sumit’s news has been met with an outpouring of support from 90 Day fans and other cast members. So far, a GoFundMe for Jenny’s care has raised more than $100,000, while others have purchased Cameos from the couple or sent their prayers or shared their story.
One of Jenny’s biggest cheerleaders has been Sarper. Soon after she revealed she had ALS, Sarper – who appears on season 3 of The Last Resort with Sumit and Jenny – said that he’d be donating all the proceeds from his upcoming comedy shows to her care.
“She needs our help as soon as possible,” he said in an Instagram video announcing the fundraiser in New York City.
The first show quickly sold out, and a second show was added. More than 250 people turned out for just one of the shows, with Sarper sharing an Instagram video from the stage of the crowd yelling that they loved Jenny.
While hundreds of people came out to support Jenny, they also got a night of entertainment. Sarper’s comedy career has taken off in a big way in recent months. He’s currently on a tour around the U.S. and Canada, with upcoming dates in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Montreal, and other cities. Second shows have been added for many of the tour stops. It’s a life twist he never anticipated before coming to the U.S. to marry his now-estranged wife Shekinah Garner.
“To be honest, when I was in Turkey, I never thought of being a comedian,” he recently said. “But when I was here, after 90 Day, people started to tell me I’m funny, unintentionally funny. And I said, maybe I can use this … I thought I had nothing to lose, so let me try.”
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