TV shows usually follow a script. We know this. But every once in a while, a moment happens that feels so jagged and uncomfortably real that it breaks the fourth wall. That’s basically what happened in 2014 when Catfish: The TV Show introduced us to the saga of Antwane and Tony. It wasn't just another episode about a fake profile; it was a masterclass in long-term petty revenge that still has people talking over a decade later.
If you’ve ever watched the show, you know the drill. Someone falls in love online, Nev and Max (at the time) do some Google-fu, and they find out the "hot model" is actually a middle-aged woman in a basement. But Antwane and Tony was different. It didn't start on Instagram or Facebook. It started on a late-night phone chat line.
Why the Antwane and Tony Episode Felt Like a Fever Dream
Most people today can't even imagine falling in love through a phone line. It feels so... 1995. But Antwane, a vivacious guy from Cincinnati, had been talking to "Tony" for three years without ever seeing a single photo. Honestly, that’s commitment. Or maybe just a lot of hope.
Tony was supposedly a buff construction worker from Atlanta. He had a deep, soothing voice that Antwane absolutely lived for. But there was a catch: Tony only called from a private number. Antwane couldn't call him back. He just had to wait by the phone like it was a scene from a vintage rom-com.
The weirdest part? Nev Schulman and Max Joseph didn't even get an email from Antwane. It was his cousin, Carmen, who called the "intervention." She acted like the concerned best friend, worried that Antwane was being played. She sat there on the couch, nodding along, seemingly desperate to help her cousin find the "truth."
The Investigation That Went Nowhere (On Purpose)
Nev and Max started digging into the few clues they had. Since there were no photos, they had to rely on phone records. They eventually tracked a number to a guy named Anthony Thomas, who had a mugshot and a history of being in jail.
For a second, the narrative seemed clear: Tony was a prisoner using a smuggled phone. It made sense. It explained the private number and the "work" that kept him from meeting.
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The crew, along with Antwane and Carmen, drove around Cincinnati looking for addresses linked to this Anthony guy. They went to a sketchy apartment. Nothing. They went to a house with a "No Trespassing" sign. No luck. They finally ended up at a boarded-up, abandoned house that looked like something out of a horror movie. It was cold. Max was over it. Everyone was ready to call it a day.
Then, the world stopped spinning for a second.
"I'm Tony": The Reveal That Broke the Internet
While standing in the middle of a street, Carmen just... said it. No dramatic music, no build-up. She just looked at Antwane and told him he couldn't find Tony because she was Tony.
The silence that followed was heavy.
Carmen didn't just admit it; she bragged about it. She used a "Tony voice"—a deep, gravelly tone—to prove she’d been the one on the other end of the line for three whole years. Think about that for a second. Three years of daily phone calls, shared secrets, and romantic whispers, all coming from the person sitting right next to him at Sunday dinner.
The "Fat Ass Kelly Price" Incident
Why would someone do this? Was it for money? No. Carmen did it for the pettiest reason imaginable. Years prior, Antwane had reportedly made fun of her weight in front of their family, calling her a "fat ass Kelly Price."
Carmen didn't just get mad. She got even. She waited. She crafted a three-year psychological trap to humiliate him on national television. Her logic was chillingly simple: "There was a house full of people when he did me, so there's a world full of people when I did him."
It’s sorta terrifying when you realize the level of dedication required to maintain a lie like that. She even contacted the show herself just to ensure the finale happened on her terms.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Aftermath
People often wonder if they ever made up. The short answer? Not really.
In the immediate aftermath, Nev actually lost his cool—a rarity for the usually calm host. He ended up throwing Carmen's phone into a field (or at least away from her) because she was so remorseless. The production got so heated that producers had to step in and pull Nev and Max away. Carmen was laughing. She felt like the "Queen of Catfish."
Antwane, understandably, was devastated. He didn't just lose a boyfriend; he lost a cousin and a best friend in one afternoon. He eventually cut her out of his life.
By the time the "one month later" update rolled around:
- Antwane was working a steady job and trying to move on.
- He stopped talking to Carmen entirely.
- Carmen claimed she had "retired" from catfishing, though she didn't seem particularly sorry.
Why This Episode Still Matters in 2026
We live in an era of AI and deepfakes, but the Antwane and Tony story reminds us that the most effective catfishes don't need high-tech tools. They just need a deep understanding of your vulnerabilities.
It also highlighted a major shift in the show. Before this, "Catfish" was mostly about lonely people looking for love. After this, it became clear that some people were using the platform for pure, unadulterated spite. It changed how the show vetted its participants.
Actionable Takeaways from the Antwane Saga
If you’re dating someone you haven't met—whether it's through an app or a 1990s-style chat line—keep these things in mind to protect your sanity:
- Demand a Video Call Immediately: If they can't hop on a 30-second FaceTime or Zoom, something is wrong. No one "doesn't have a camera" in this decade.
- Watch Out for "The Private Number": If you can't initiate the contact, you aren't in a relationship; you're on a leash. A real partner wants you to be able to reach them.
- Trust Your Gut Over Your Emotions: Antwane knew it was weird that he never saw a photo. He just wanted to believe the voice was real. Don't let your desire for connection blind you to blatant red flags.
- Verify, Don't Just Trust: If someone gives you a name or a location, do a quick search. If the details don't line up, ask the hard questions early.
The story of Antwane and Tony is a tragic reminder that sometimes the people closest to us are the ones holding the biggest secrets. It wasn't just about a fake boyfriend; it was about the limits of forgiveness and the high cost of a "joke" gone wrong. Antwane eventually found peace by walking away, which is often the only way to win a game you didn't know you were playing.