Mendeeces Claims He and Yandy Were Never Never Legally Married

Mendeecees Harris says his long-discussed marriage to Yandy Smith was never legally binding, despite years of public belief.

The revelation has stirred debate among fans of the VH1 reality series “Love & Hip Hop: New York,” where the couple’s relationship played out.

For nearly a decade, viewers believed Harris and Smith married during a 2015 prison ceremony while Harris was incarcerated.

Harris now says the ceremony was symbolic and never recognized by the state.

“We never signed papers,” Harris said in a recent interview. “There was never a marriage license filed.”

He added, “People assumed it was legal because it was on television.”

Smith has not directly disputed the claim, but she has addressed the issue in past conversations.

“We did what made sense for our family at the time,” Smith said previously. “It wasn’t about paperwork for us.”

A Televised Ceremony, Not a Legal Union

The 2015 ceremony aired during a season finale and drew widespread attention.

Smith wore a white gown, while Harris appeared in prison attire.

At the time, the event was widely described as a wedding.

However, legal experts note that marriages require proper documentation, regardless of ceremony location.

“There must be a license and filing,” said New York attorney Carla Benson. “Without that, it isn’t legal.”

Harris said the ceremony was meant to show commitment during a difficult period.

“I was facing years away from my family,” he said. “We wanted something meaningful.”

He also said legal marriage could have complicated Smith’s finances and business obligations.

“She was building brands,” Harris said. “We didn’t want legal issues tied to my situation.”

Smith has often spoken about protecting her family’s privacy.

“People see clips, not real life,” she said in a past interview. “There’s always more context.”

Harris echoed that sentiment.

“We shared a lot,” he said. “But not everything was meant to be dissected.”

The couple shares two children and has raised them together for years.

Harris said their bond did not depend on legal labels.

“We were committed,” he said. “Paper doesn’t raise kids.”

The couple reportedly separated in recent years, though both have remained publicly respectful.

Neither has announced plans for a legal marriage in the future.

For now, Harris said clarity matters more than public perception.

“I just want the truth out there,” he said. “People deserve honesty.”