Josh Duhamel and Audra Mari’s love story: From pageants to parenthood

Josh Duhamel and Audra Mari are building a life full of love and expanding their family. 

The Ransom Canyon actor and former Miss North Dakota USA tied the knot in September 2022 after three years of dating, and are now expecting their second child together.

The couple first connected via social media, with Duhamel sliding into Mari’s DMs after her pageant success. 

“We started dating and, you know, here we are, five years later, with a baby on the way. She’s a pretty amazing girl, she really is,” Duhamel shared on Live with Kelly and Mark.

Mari’s pageant history is impressive: she won Miss North Dakota USA in 2014, placed second at Miss USA that same year, and later represented the U.S. at Miss World 2016, finishing sixth overall.

Their romance took a fairytale turn when Duhamel proposed in January 2022 with a message in a bottle washed ashore while walking along a beach. 

Following a brief panic when the bottle didn’t appear immediately, Mari discovered the note asking her to marry him and said yes.

The couple exchanged vows on the rooftop of the Jasper Hotel in Fargo, N.D., on September 10, 2022. 

Duhamel nearly missed walking down the aisle after injuring his back the night before, but a trip to the emergency room ensured he made it to the altar on time.

The pair welcomed their first child, son Shepherd Lawrence Duhamel, in January 2024. Duhamel, who is also father to Axl with ex-wife Fergie, has praised Mari for her parenting. 

In March 2026, Mari announced via Instagram that the couple is expecting a baby girl: “Adding a little girl to our story… We can’t wait to meet you @joshduhamel.”