If you were glued to the live feeds during Big Brother 19, you know exactly why the name Mark and Elena Big Brother fans still bring up is basically synonymous with "chaos." It wasn't just a showmance. Honestly, it was a 92-day psychological study in what happens when a guy who wears his heart on his sleeve meets a woman who views vulnerability as a tactical disadvantage.
Mark Jansen was the personal trainer from Buffalo with the physique of a Greek god and the emotional sensitivity of a Nicholas Sparks protagonist. Elena Davies was the sharp-tongued radio personality from Dallas who seemed perpetually unsure if she wanted a boyfriend or a sparring partner.
They were "Marlena." And boy, did they keep us talking.
The BB19 Pressure Cooker: Where It All Started
In the Big Brother house, everything is magnified. You’re trapped in a dome with cameras watching your every move, and for Mark, those cameras captured a man completely smitten. It’s kinda rare to see that level of "all-in" energy so early. Mark didn't just like Elena; he was basically planning their wedding by week three.
Elena? She was more guarded.
She often felt like she was being "managed" by Mark's emotions. You could see it on the feeds—Mark would be crying about a game move or a comment, and Elena would be looking at him with this mix of affection and total bewilderment. They were polar opposites. Mark was a "forth" kind of guy, and Elena was very much "back and forth."
Life Outside the House: The Dallas Move
Most showmances die at the wrap party. This one didn’t. In fact, Mark did the thing everyone warned him not to do: he packed up his life in Buffalo, New York, and moved to Dallas, Texas, to be with Elena.
For a while, it looked like they might beat the "reality TV curse." They were hanging out with other Big Brother royalty like Jessica Graf and Cody Nickson. They were building brands. Mark launched his fitness coaching, and Elena leaned into her "MiscELENAeous" podcast.
But behind the Instagram filters, things were getting rocky.
Why the "Marlena" Bubble Finally Burst
It’s one thing to date in a house where your only chore is cleaning the kitchen. It’s another to pay bills and navigate "influencer life" together. Mark later admitted on his Find Your Fortitude podcast that he moved to Texas because he wanted a family. He wanted the whole fairy tale.
Elena, however, was vocal about the fact that life isn't a Disney movie. She famously said on her own podcast that "not one single person in this world is dating Prince Charming." That hit Mark hard. Imagine moving across the country for someone only to hear them tell thousands of listeners that you aren't exactly the dream guy. Ouch.
The breakup, when it finally hit in March 2019, was messy.
- The Lease Factor: Their lease was up, and neither could commit to another year of fighting.
- Communication Breakdown: They stopped talking for days at a time.
- The Tinder Incident: Mark eventually admitted to moving on quite quickly, which led to a lot of public "he-said, she-said" about when the relationship actually ended.
The Ex on the Beach Factor
Just when we thought it was over, MTV called. Mark and Elena appeared on Ex on the Beach Season 3.
If you want to see a masterclass in awkwardness, watch those episodes. Seeing them forced to confront their issues on another reality show was like watching a car crash in slow motion. Mark eventually left the beach single after a brief fling with Aubrey O'Day, and Elena’s time on the show was short and relatively tense.
It was the final nail in the coffin.
Where Are They Now? (2026 Update)
So, what’s the deal today? Honestly, they’ve both moved on to completely different lives.
Mark Jansen is still the king of fitness. He’s leaned heavily into online coaching and has spent the last few years building a massive presence in the bodybuilding and wellness space. He’s also found stability in his personal life, having gone public with girlfriend Lauren Blakelock a few years back. He seems much more grounded than the "emotional Mark" we saw in the BB house.
Elena Davies has stayed true to her Dallas roots. She’s a full-time entrepreneur and influencer, still hosting her podcast and running multiple businesses. She’s survived some health scares—including a serious bout with septic shock a few years ago—and has used her platform to be incredibly candid about the realities of surgery, recovery, and mental health.
Actionable Takeaways from the Mark and Elena Saga
If you’re a fan of the show or looking for your own "showmance" (hopefully in the real world), there are some legit lessons here:
- Don't Move for a Showmance Too Fast: Mark's move to Dallas was a huge commitment for a relationship that hadn't been tested outside of a TV set. Give it six months in the "real world" before signing a lease.
- Compatibility Trumps Chemistry: They had insane chemistry, but their core values on how to handle conflict were totally different. If one person needs to talk it out and the other needs space, you’re headed for a collision.
- Public vs. Private: Navigating a relationship in the public eye is a choice. Elena wanted to be "unfiltered," while Mark wanted to protect the "fairy tale." Deciding on those boundaries early is crucial.
The mark and elena big brother era was a wild ride that defined a very specific time in reality TV. They weren't perfect, but they were real. And in a world of scripted drama, that's why we still remember them.
To keep up with their current projects, you can follow Mark’s fitness journeys on social media or tune into Elena’s podcast for her latest business ventures. Both have proven that there is plenty of life—and success—after the cameras stop rolling.