Dancehall icon Vybz Kartel, 49, and his longtime partner, Sidem Öztürk, 31, have taken to social media to celebrate their 10-year love story. In an Instagram post, Kartel shared loved-up snaps of him and Sidem together, accompanied by a caption saying: “It is our 10 year anniversary today nuh gal can step inna u shoes. Sidem Öztürk my true religion. Sidem nuh Sidem fi a reason”.

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The pair first met in 2015, after Kartel had already been imprisoned for the 2011 murder of Clive "Lizard" Williams. Sidem, a British-Turkish social worker based in London at the time, developed a fascination with Kartel's music and story. In and interview with OnStage, Sidem described her fascination with Kartel, saying: “I found him very handsome, so I was very attracted to him and you can kind of call it an obsession cause I thought he was the most perfect man for me and walking the Earth, so I just really wanted to meet him and get to know him.”

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Kartel discussed his introduction to Sidem in a 2025 interview with Hot 97, saying: "Yeah, I met her on July 25, 2015, and I'll never forget it. In prison, I was very active on Instagram because, you know, you have time. I was going through my comment section and saw this girl who always liked my pictures, so out of curiosity, I went onto her page... At that time, I was also going through a lot with my baby mama."

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Vybz Kartel explained that Sidem had told him she’d been trying to find him, but because there were so many fake accounts pretending to be him, she ended up discovering the real him through his child’s mother’s profile. In the same interview, Kartel revealed that he plans to marry Sidem this year and wishes to have children with her. The couple’s relationship began with letters and phone calls that became more frequent and deeply personal. Over time, a strong emotional bond developed between them, and Sidem made several trips to Jamaica to visit Kartel in prison.

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Despite the restrictions of his incarceration at Kingston’s Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre, their relationship continued to flourish. In 2022, during an interview with Fox 5 New York, Kartel revealed that he and Sidem were officially engaged. “Yes, we’re engaged. She’s the love of my life,” he said, confirming years of speculation from fans. The news made headlines globally, not only because of Kartel’s high-profile case but also because it was a rare glimpse into his personal life during his years behind bars.

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The pair got engaged during a permitted prison visit in the summer of 2022, and he then sealed the deal AGAIN outside of prison in November last year. In an Instagram post, Kartel wrote: “It’s Official #1Wife, Proposed in Prison, Proposed in #RealLife. You were there when I needed you most and I’ll never leave you baby. I cherish all the times you came to visit me and told me that it’s going to be ok. I cherish all the times we spoke on the phone and in real life in the box. We laughed together we cried together and now we celebrate together!” The post also showed a heartwarming clip in which Vybz Kartel is seen standing outside a hotel room, revealing the sparkling diamond ring he’d picked out for his future bride. He then heads inside to surprise Öztürk, who had been waiting patiently.

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Sidem has stood by Kartel through numerous legal battles, public scrutiny, and a recent health scare. In 2023, concerns over Kartel’s deteriorating health due to Graves’ disease and two heart conditions added strain to their relationship, but Sidem has remained his fiercest advocate. She has consistently spoken out about his treatment in prison and called for his release, appearing in multiple media interviews and posting frequent updates to her social media followers. Though their connection was formed in confinement, the strength of their bond continues to captivate both fans and critics. Sidem describes their relationship as “built on loyalty, trust, and unconditional love”.