You’ve probably seen the clips floating around TikTok or YouTube lately. A nervous girl, a mysterious guy who won't FaceTime, and a proposal that happens way too fast. We’re talking about the Colleen and Tony catfish story—one of the most bizarre yet weirdly wholesome episodes in the history of MTV’s Catfish.
Most people watch these shows for the "gotcha" moment. You want to see the person who lied get called out. But Colleen and Tony (whose real name is actually Jeremy) didn't give us the typical script. Honestly, it turned into one of the few times where a lie didn't lead to an immediate breakup. Instead, it turned into a conversation about race, identity, and whether you can actually fall in love with a voice.
What Really Happened With the Colleen and Tony Catfish Episode?
Colleen was a young woman from Washington who thought she had found her soulmate. His name was "Tony." They had been talking for about three months, which isn't long in the real world, but in Catfish years, it's an eternity.
The red flags were everywhere. Tony wouldn't video chat. He used pictures that looked like a completely different person. But the kicker? He proposed to her over the phone. He proposed without ever seeing her face in person. And Colleen? She said yes.
When Nev Schulman and Max Joseph stepped in during Season 6, Episode 11, they expected the worst. Usually, when someone refuses to show their face and asks for marriage, they're either a scammer or a bored teenager.
The Reveal: Meet Jeremy
The moment they pulled up to the house in California, you could feel the tension. When the door opened, it wasn't the "Tony" from the photos. It was Jeremy.
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Jeremy was a Black man who had been using the photos of a white man to talk to Colleen. Why? He didn't think she would like him for who he was. He called himself a "blerd"—a Black nerd—and felt like he didn't fit the stereotypes society (or dating apps) expected of him.
He was terrified. Basically, he thought that as soon as Colleen saw he was Black, she’d walk away. But the reaction from Colleen wasn't what anyone expected. She didn't scream. She didn't cry about the pictures.
She just looked at him and said she still loved him.
Why This Story Blew Up on Social Media Again
It’s been years since that episode aired in 2017, so why is everyone talking about the Colleen and Tony catfish saga in 2026?
TikTok.
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Short clips of Jeremy’s nervous confession and his family’s blunt reaction have gone viral. If you remember the episode, Jeremy’s sister didn't hold back. She was basically the voice of the audience, asking how he could lie like that and why he was so insecure about his own identity.
- The Identity Crisis: People are resonating with Jeremy’s struggle. Even though he lied, his fear of rejection based on race is a very real, very heavy topic that the show usually glosses over for drama.
- The "Pure" Reaction: Colleen's willingness to look past the physical lie makes her a "legend" in the Catfish fandom.
- The Marriage Question: The fact that they doubled down on the engagement right there on the lawn was peak reality TV.
Are Colleen and Tony Still Together?
This is what everyone wants to know. Does a relationship built on a fake identity actually survive the real world?
The short answer is: It actually did for a while. After the show, Colleen moved to California to be with Jeremy. They didn't just stay together for the cameras; they tried to make a life. Rumors and social media deep-dives from fans have suggested they even had a child together. If you look at older Reddit threads and Instagram archives, there’s evidence of them being a family long after Max and Nev left the driveway.
However, more recent updates are a bit murkier. Relationships are hard, and relationships started on a national TV show about lying are harder. While some fans claim they are still married, other reports suggest they may have eventually gone their separate ways. Colleen’s social media has been relatively private or inactive regarding her relationship status lately.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Case
A lot of people think Jeremy was just a "bad guy" trying to trick someone. But if you watch the full episode, it’s more complex than that.
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Jeremy wasn't trying to steal money. He wasn't a "pro" catfish like some of the people who appear on the show multiple times. He was a guy with massive self-esteem issues. He was catfishing because he didn't think his "true self" was enough.
Max Joseph famously wore a "Black Lives Matter" shirt during this episode, which many viewers at the time found significant. It highlighted the underlying theme of the episode: the pressure to conform to certain images to be "lovable."
Actionable Takeaways from the Colleen and Tony Saga
If you’re currently in an online relationship or just obsessed with the drama, there are a few things we can learn from this:
- The "Vibe" Can Be Real, But the Face Might Not Be: Colleen loved Jeremy’s personality. That part was real. The pictures were the only fake part.
- FaceTime is Non-Negotiable: Honestly, don't wait three months. If they can't hop on a 30-second video call, there’s a reason.
- Insecurity is a Relationship Killer: Even if the person accepts you (like Colleen did), the lie creates a foundation of debt. You start the relationship owing an apology.
- Trust Your Gut: Colleen knew something was off. She called the show for a reason. Always listen to that little voice.
The story of the Colleen and Tony catfish remains one of the few "happy-ish" endings in the show's run. It reminds us that behind the fake profiles, there are usually just broken people looking for a connection—even if they go about it in the most chaotic way possible.
If you’re looking to verify someone you’re talking to, start by using reverse image search tools like Google Lens or Social Catfish. It takes five seconds and can save you from a three-month-long "engagement" to a person who doesn't exist.