Josh Duhamel might have replaced Armie Hammer in Shotgun Wedding, but we wouldn't be surprised if he similarly tied the knot with his new girlfriend, Audra Mari, in the near future. Just without the shotguns, of course.

Before he made headlines with Mari, Duhamel was married to singer, Fergie, from 2009 to 2019, having been split up since 2017. But Duhamel began his relationship with Mari before his divorce was finalized. However they met, it looks like they're steadily heading towards serious waters.

But how did the Transformers actor and the pageant queen meet?

Who Is Josh Duhamel, And What Was His Relationship Like With Fergie?

Duhamel has made a name for himself in Hollywood, jumping between genres like action and rom-com.

His first film was the rom-com Win a Date with Tad Hamilton! where he starred as the titular character, but the role that put him on the map and introduced him to his future wife was Danny McCoy from Las Vegas. Duhamel and Fergie met during the episode where The Black Eye Peas guest-starred.

Related: What Really Ended Fergie And Josh Duhamel's 13-Year Marriage

He became an international star after playing Captain Lennox in Transformers in 2007 and later three other installments in the franchise. In the rom-com world, Duhamel has starred as the hunk in films like The RomanticsWhen in Rome, and Love, Simon.

His newest project is Jupiter's Legacy, and in 2022 he'll appear in Shotgun Wedding, of course, BlackoutBandit, and the series Blade Runner: Black Lotus.

After meeting on Las Vegas, Duhamel and Fergie started dating and tied the knot in a Catholic ceremony in 2009. In 2013, they welcomed their only child, Axl, and planned on having a second right before their marriage started to crumble. They separated in 2017, possibly because Fergie didn't want to get an immediate divorce. It's possible she wanted to separate first and hopefully get back together, but unfortunately, they filed for a divorce in 2019.

Speaking to Wendy Williams, Fergie said, "It wasn't my plan. I wanted to stay married forever. I love Josh. He’s the father of my child. We forever have that project together, and we're doing the best we can."

Related: Where Is The Black Eyed Peas' Fergie Now?

Thankfully, the divorce was peaceful as they both agreed to joint custody. As to why the hot couple divorced? Sources said they just grew apart. The divorce was finalized in late 2019, but Duhamel had already moved on.

Who Is Audra Mari?

According to Nicki Swift, Mari is 21 years younger than Duhamel and a "proud Filipino." Her grandfather is from the Philippines and came over to America to give his family a better life.

His strength and courage heavily influenced Mari, so she went into pageantry to make a difference in her community and her own life. "He's a shining example that anything is possible here," Mari said in her video package for Miss World in 2016.

Yes, that's right, she's competed in some of the biggest pageants. According to Us Weekly, she won Miss North Dakota (coincidentally where both she and Duhamel are from) USA 2014 and Miss World America 2016. She was also the first runner-up in the Miss Teen USA 2011 competition.

During her time in those pageants, she advocated for some big issues as well, including anti-bullying. She was bullied as a kid for being tall and thin.

"Finally, I told my mom, I told her everything that was happening," Mari told Seventeen magazine in 2011. "She talked to the administration, and they brought the girls in and talked to them about it. You just have to bring it to the attention of people in a position of authority."

Also on Mari's resume is her impressive modeling career. She's posed for H&M and Ocean Drive magazine’s swimsuit issue. She also graduated from The North Dakota State University.

How Did Mari Meet Duhamel?

There's not much on how the couple actually met, but they no doubt bonded over hailing from North Dakota once they did.

According to ET's sources, "Josh and Audra met through mutual friends and get along really well. The two have a great time together and are on the same page about what they want their future to be."

They were first spotted together on a date night out in Malibu in May 2019. In early October 2019, their relationship was confirmed when they were spotted packing on the heavy PDA, kissing at Toronto International Airport, as reported by Page Six.

They were also seen at a holiday party in Brentwood neighborhood, L.A., in early December of that year, and that same month, Duhamel's divorce from Fergie was finalized.

Dating Mari does come with its advantages. In December 2018, Duhamel told Dax Shepard on the podcast Armchair Expert that he definitely wants more kids, and it was just a matter of finding someone young enough to have them with.

"I’m not 30 years old anymore," Duhamel said. "I want to have more kids in the next few years. So it’s more about finding someone young enough to have kids. It’s not as if I’m out there trying to just f**k anything. That’s really not who I am. I’m trying to find a girl that I can be with, and have a family with."

It seems as if he's found that in Mari.

They're Still Going Strong

Last year, Duhamel opened up about being with Mari, although unwillingly, on the Dan Patrick Show.

When asked to compare Mari to a quarterback, Duhamel replied, "Patrick Mahomes" of the Kansas City Chiefs because she's "young, versatile" and "can throw the deep ball. She’s ambidextrous." Duhamel continued to say he loves Mari more than The Vikings. That must count for something.

Out Dating In Public

This past May, the couple was seen out on a date in Malibu again, so it looks like they're still going strong.

Also, this year, the couple made headlines when they headed back home to North Dakota to a family friend-owned Ford-Lincoln dealership in Fargo so Mari could buy a 2021 Ford Bronco through a special deal. Production of the specific Bronco Mari wanted is delayed, so she purchased a Bronco Sport.

The Detroit Free Press got a quote from Duhamel himself, who said his girlfriend looked "super cute" driving the car. He also called her a "girl... but... a tough girl."

Only time will tell what Duhamel and Mari's relationship will transform into, but it's looking quite serious to us. Duhamel's got a great girl on his arm; all he has to do is whip out some of the rom-com lines to continue to whoo her, and he'll be dandy.

Next: Everything We Know About Fergie's Son, Axl Jack Duhamel