23 Wildest Catfish Episodes, Ranked

July 18, 2023, midnight

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23 Wildest Catfish Episodes, Ranked

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Summary "Whitney & Bre" revealed a surprising twist where the supposed victims were actually scheming together for a chance to meet.

"Alfred & Adonis" featured a shocking post-reveal fight and showed how toxic relationships can lead to manipulation and deceit.

"Lucas & Many" exposed a serial catfisher who had been manipulating multiple people, resulting in a cathartic confrontation with the victims.

The following contains mentions of murder, suicide, bullying, violence, and sexual misconduct.

The series' premise alone means it's built for drama, but the wildest Catfish episodes contain some twists that stand head and shoulders above the rest. Nev Schulman had no idea that his 2010 independent documentary Catfish would become a critical and commercial success, coining a term for something rarely talked about but was increasing within the general population thanks to the internet. Strangers tricking unwitting victims on the internet into emotional relationships was becoming a more common phenomenon as technology progressed. Schulman was the first to bring the problem out into the open.

Schulman's documentary was so successful that MTV ordered a TV series with him answering requests from those seeking to find the true identity of their online lovers. Catfish is one of the highest-rated reality shows on MTV. Each installment sees Nev and his partner, who changed in successive seasons, take on one relationship at a time as they do deep dives to uncover a catfish's identity. While these installments do occasionally reveal a truthful individual, the most shocking Catfish episodes uncovered some truly unrepentant folk, wild schemes, and a fair few outright crimes.

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23 "Kya & Alyx"

Season 1, Episode 6

In the first season, one of the best Catfish episodes early on was the sixth outing, "Kya and Alyx." In this episode, the show proved that they weren't just about proving people aren't really who they seem when meeting online and destroying relationships. This was one of the wildest early episodes because it turned things on its head and showed that sometimes online love connections are real. This episode started late in the story, as Kya had already admitted to Alyx that she used a fake identity to catfish him, and she wanted to meet so they could meet each other for real.

Dani admitted that they are transgender, which didn't bother Dani at all.

However, this is when the catfisher became concerned that Alyx might have also been catfishing her. She went to Nev and learned that she was right. Alyx is named Dani and wasn't using a real identity either. With that said, they met and Kya was happy anyway. Alyx admitted that they are transgender, which didn't bother Kya at all. It all ended happily — until after the show when they broke up because they lived too far apart.

22 "Antoinette & Albert"

Season 3, Episode 3

The Catfish season 3 episode "Antoinette & Albert" is one that doesn't stand up as well today as it did when it was first released. This is because Nev took the time to basically insult Antoinette for how she dresses, tells her dad that she brings these things on herself by her attire, and tells her that she doesn't have to dress so scantily if she wants to find a good man. It is a terrible lesson and Nev way overstepped his boundaries here, making this a wild Catfish episode without even talking about the catfisher himself.

She wasn't being catfished and T-Lights really was who she was talking to online

That was a man known as "Albert" and Antoinette was so happy to be hooking up with him online because he was a Florida-based rapper known as T-Lights. This really made this an episode that bucked the trend in that aspect because she wasn't being catfished and T-Lights really was who she was talking to online all this time. However, even after a date, they didn't really progress much more because Antoinette didn't want to leave her family in Texas and take the chance.

21 "Dejay, Malik & Josiah"

Season 5, Episode 13

The season 5 episode of Catfish focusing on Dejay, Malik, and Josiah was very different. This was the first love triangle to appear on the reality TV series. The first person to show up is Dejay, who is in love with Josiah. They met online seven years before, but they had never met in person or even video chatted. This raises all the red flags that Catfish fans know so well. However, this episode goes off the rails because there is a third person, who is named Malik, who is also in love with Josiah — and it's the same catfish for both guys.

This is tough because Josiah is who helped both men come out to their families.

Nev and Max meet Dejay and get all his details. Then, they go and meet Malik, and they realize the two guys are talking to the same person. When the connection is made, Josiah refuses to talk to either and blocks them on Facebook. This is tough because Josiah is the one who helped both men come out to their families. The big twist is that Josiah is who he says he is and wasn't using fake photos. However, he has a son and a boyfriend of two years and won't leave him for either Dejay or Malk.

20 "Danny & Rosa"

Season 6, Episode 3

What makes the "Danny and Rosa" episode stand out from other Catfish episodes is that it features a religious-type incident — a first for the reality TV series. In this episode, Danny met Rosa on Facebook in 2014 and fell in love with her as soon as he saw her photos. It took almost a year, but she finally responded to him and the online love affair began. However, Nev learned that Rosa was actually a guy named Jose. He did this to humiliate and hurt a woman named Natalie (the woman in the photos) because she bullied him in school.

The shocking end came when Danny agreed to talk to Jose and began to counsel him before asking him if he could pray for him. What is most ironic about this episode is that the catfisher, Jose, was catfished himself later in the same season. In that case, it was a new suitor named Jay, and, ironically, it turned out his catfisher was also named Jose. In a bit of irony, Jose was distraught that the person he was falling for was catfishing him, despite him doing the same thing to someone earlier in the season.

19 "Paul & Caitea"

Season 8, Episode 32

Not only is "Paul & Caitea" one of the best Catfish episodes, but it is also one of the most disturbing. The episode starts with Paul's fiancé, Samantha, being the one to call the show and see if they can help her. She thinks that Paul hasn't gotten over his "first love," which was a woman he met online years before while he was still a teenager. However, it turns out that his "first love" wasn't who they claimed to be, and he was the victim of an online dating scam. This was only the first layer though, and the truth was much more disturbing.

Paul was a teenager at the time, but the age of consent in Michigan is 16.

The naked photos sent to Paul by "Caitea" were of a younger girl named Katy. The person catfishing Paul and sending the photos was Katy's mother Martha, who did it without her knowledge or permission. Paul was a teenager at the time, but the age of consent in Michigan is 16, so it turns out that Martha didn't commit any real crimes, although it was still one of the most disturbing moments of the series. Katy also revealed that Martha catfished more teenage boys and Paul was just one of her victims.

18 "Whitney & Bre"

Season 4, Episode 7

One of the wildest Catfish episodes revealed that its two subjects had schemes of their own, and neither could be considered a victim. This was one of the most devious Catfish plots audiences have seen on the show — but at least it was for the right reasons. Whitney had called in Nev and Max to help her with a woman she was infatuated with in California named Bre.

Whitney claimed Bre would never video chat and neither could afford to meet each other, a frequent hallmark of catfishing situations. It turned out, though, that they had been video chatting the entire time, and they just wanted to meet each other with Catfish's help since they couldn't afford a plane ticket. The reveal was just as shocking for Nev and Max as it was for audiences, both of them looking dumbfounded as Bre and Whitney admitted their plan.

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17 "Alfred & Adonis"

Season 8, Episode 2

"Alfred & Adonis" contained one of the worst post-reveal fights in Catfish, and in turn, became one of the most shocking Catfish episodes. Nev and his co-host Kamie caught up with Alfred in North Carolina, who had broken off a toxic six-year relationship with his ex, Antonnio. He struck up a relationship on Facebook with a man named Adonis, who refused to video chat or call Alfred, hence Alfred calling Catfish.

Physical fights weren't enough to keep the two away from each other, and Antonnio and Alfred subsequently got back together.

Audiences were shocked to find out that Adonis was Antonnio, and Alfred's ex created the fake profile nearly a year before the pair had broken up. If this wasn't indication enough that the two made a toxic couple, Antonnio and Alfred got into a knock-down drag-out fight during the reveal. However, physical fights weren't enough to keep the two away from each other, and Antonnio and Alfred subsequently got back together.

16 "Lucas & Many"

Season 5, Episode 13

"Lucas & Many" comes from one of the highest-ranked seasons of Catfish. One of the most shocking Catfish episodes follows a former Playboy model and dancer named Jayme. She is suspicious about the man she is talking to online whom she met on Tinder, thanks to the advice of her friends. While Jayme was correct in her suspicions, Nev, Max, and Jayme were woefully ignorant of the breadth of the perpetrator's crimes.

What is most shocking about Jayme's story is that it is shared by several other victims. When Max and Nev investigate Jayme's catfish, they hear from a few other women who have also been talking to him. They all soon find out he has been manipulating dozens of people online. What results is one of the most cathartic and gratifying confrontations the series has ever seen, as all the victims get to confront the catfish.

15 "Ramon & Paola"

Season 2, Episode 3

In one of the most shocking Catfish episodes, Ramon thought he had fallen in love with a woman named Paola whom he had met on Facebook. Then the catfishing type of behavior started, with strange Skype calls and her asking for money and gifts. Unfortunately, as is the story with many of these online relationships, Ramon did give her all of those things and then some.

It was later found out that the real girl — Loyda — had revealed all the personal details about herself, including her driver's license and actual pictures of her, but he never wanted to believe it.

He later admitted he had briefly seen her face and body quickly on Skype before she hid again, and he knew she was not the same girl in the pictures she presented. However, he didn't want to believe it. In a shocking twist, it was later found out that the real girl — Loyda — had revealed all the personal details about herself, including her driver's license and actual pictures of her, but he never wanted to believe it. His delusion and her lack of care about the money he gave her made this quite a spectacle.

14 "Tracie & Sammie"

Season 3, Episode 5

Not all the Catfish episodes include a romantic relationship, but this one does include a celebrity. When actress Tracie Thoms (Rent) encounters an obsessive fan named Sammie, details about Sammie's life cause her to become suspicious over time. Sammie tries to use a fake death to garner sympathy, so, Thoms contacts Nev and Max to get to the bottom of the situation, and what they find certainly doesn't disappoint.

Sammie turns out to be a woman named Jacqueline, and what's worse, Jacqueline has catfished countless other people and takes pride in her work. Jacqueline was wholly unrepentant for putting Thoms and others through the wringer and had a penchant for bullying people online. She was proud of all of her predatory misdeeds and refused to apologize for being calculating and cruel.

13 "Falesha & Jacqueline"

Season 4, Episode 13

"Falesha & Jacqueline" turns out to be not only one of the best episodes of Catfish but also one of the most shocking Catfish episodes. What makes this episode, much like "Tracie & Sammie," stand out is that there isn't a romance at the center. Rather, Falesha is the victim of something akin to identity theft. Someone has been stealing Falesha's pictures and using them for a profile called "Jacqueline," while spreading hate, drama, and vitriol online.

Tracey is famed as one of the creepiest catfishes in history.

As it turned out, the perpetrator, Tracey Barbie, wasn't all that difficult to find. However, Tracey is famed as one of the creepiest catfishes in history. Her response to being outed was troubling at best. Tracey held no remorse for the damage she inflicted on Falesha's life and reputation. She didn't seem to truly comprehend the weight of her actions, and even Nev was stunned into silence at her response during certain moments.

12 "Candic & Titus"

Season 5, Episode 16

One of the most shocking Catfish episodes has a twist that must be seen to be believed. Candic is a 27-year-old wife and mother who is carrying on an online relationship of sorts with a man she met on a retail app she uses for work. He was interested in a handbag she was selling, and the two began talking consistently. Even though she's already in a relationship, Candic asks Catfish for assistance in her search for Titus.

She was hoping to meet him with Nev and Max's help — and all without telling her husband. Audiences were struck dumb when "Titus" actually revealed his identity. By the end of the episode, it is revealed that the man she had been speaking to was her husband all along, who was looking to grow closer to his wife. In the end, it did bring them closer together, albeit in a questionable way.

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11 "Catfish: The Untold Stories Part 10"

Season 6 Special Episode

Audiences can't help but feel sorry for Nev in one of the most shocking Catfish episodes. In the middle of Season 6, Catfish gave audiences a few special episodes, with two under the title "Catfish: The Untold Stories." The unique segments told viewers about catfish who set themselves apart from the usual flock presented in the show. Part 10 of The Untold Stories stands out because of one telling segment.

Nev hired someone remotely to manage some of his personal social media accounts, but the catfisher had other plans.

Catfish is inspired by the documentary which showcases host Nev Schulman's story of woe with an online manipulator. In this special episode, Nev becomes victim to a catfish once again. Nev hired someone remotely to manage some of his personal social media accounts, but the catfisher had other plans. The catfish posed as Nev, texting people and starting online relationships as him. It's hard to believe the man who invented the term would fall victim to the act, but it just proves how nefarious catfishing is.

10 "Kayla & Courtney"

Season 5, Episode 10

This was another one of the few episodes in Catfish's many seasons that had nothing to do with a romantic relationship. However, what makes it one of the most shocking Catfish episodes is that it had to do with the supernatural and whether it's possible to talk to the dead. Kayla is a young woman with a tragic past. Her father, who had mental health issues, murdered her pregnant mom when she was only a toddler.

A couple of years later, he took his own life in prison. However, a woman named Courtney was claiming that Kayla's father had been contacting her. Courtney stated she could speak to Kayla's deceased father, a man Courtney had never met. She knew things about him that not many knew and all of it was hard for audiences to wrap their heads around. By the end of the episode, even Nev and Max had changed their views on the matter.

9 "Lucille & Kidd Cole"

Season 3, Episode 4

One of the most shocking Catfish episodes can't even air anymore due to ongoing legal issues with the catfish himself. Surprisingly, a number of the wildest Catfish installments don't have to do with romantic relationships, as the connection between Lucille and Kidd Cole was strictly a business partnership. Lucille met Kidd Cole online after discovering his music on SoundCloud and reaching out to him.

The installment is responsible for a ton of Catfish memes, namely Nev throwing Kidd Cole's phone into the river

The two became friends, and after a series of cons, Lucille was out a lot of money. It was eventually revealed that he was not a famous music producer as he initially said, and his disinterest in Nev's line of questioning led to his phone being thrown into a nearby river by Nev himself. The installment is responsible for a ton of Catfish memes, namely Nev throwing Kidd Cole's phone into the river, and is one of the few examples of a time when the normally even-keel host lost his cool for the catfish's lack of attention and remorse.

8 "Keyonnah & Bow Wow"

Season 2, Episode 14

An unfortunate theme in Catfish is people who genuinely believe that they're in an online relationship with a prominent celebrity who tellingly refuses to video chat or call them. Keyonnah fell victim to this trap in one of the most shocking Catfish episodes and was under the impression that she was dating the rapper Lil Bow Wow. Of course, it was not Lil Bow Wow, but what made the relationship seem real was that the catfisher sent Keyonnah $10,000 at one point.

Keyonnah's episode showcased one of the most memorable catfishes on the series. The person claiming to be the famous rapper was a young woman named Dee, who made Keyonnah believe she was Lil Bow Wow. After the reveal that Keyonnah had received $10,000 from her catfish, audiences were teetering on the edge of the belief that the relationship could be genuine. As viewers rooted for Keyonnah to meet her celebrity childhood crush, they were sorely disappointed when Dee showed up.

7 "Sheila & Rich Dollaz"

Season 7, Episode 21

Sometimes a catfish performs an outright crime, and poor Sheila was a victim of sexual misconduct in one of the most shocking Catfish episodes. Sheila was someone who was just a fan of a celebrity on Love & Hip Hop by the name of Rich Dollaz. After watching one particularly emotional episode where he poured his heart out, she felt like she wanted to get to know the man himself and sent him a DM on Instagram to introduce herself.

It was revealed that it was the celeb's nephew who was handling the account and abusing his power with it.

After eight months of communication on Instagram where Rich Dollaz mostly just asked for explicit photos of Sheila, she called in the Catfish team for help. It was revealed that it was the celeb's nephew who was handling the account and abusing his power with it. What's worse is that the nephew didn't feel remorseful about soliciting photos from Sheila. Chillingly, he felt that the whole situation was amusing.

6 "Catfish: The Untold Stories Part 9"

Season 6 Special Episode

"Catfish: The Untold Stories Part 9" is unlike many of the best Catfish episodes. While a typical episode of the series showcases nearly all documentary footage in a familiar format, Part 9 showcases a new kind of storytelling. Staged reenactments are presented in this episode, while individuals tell their catfish stories to an interviewer.

While the episode doesn't have the same intensity of a story being filmed in real-time, it showcases some of the most bizarre catfish tales of the series. One of the most shocking Catfish episodes sees three separate stories, each of them wilder than the last. Each of the tales is an emotional roller coaster, with some of the reveals being shocking beyond all belief and others having a more triumphant resolution.

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5 "Kristina & Faith"

Season 7, Episode 30

Kristina first wrote to Catfish knowing that things were very complicated, and it was her complex situation that resulted in one of the wildest Catfish episodes. When Kristina reached out to Nev, she was engaged to a woman named Sami but was also in an online relationship with a woman named Faith whom she had met in a chat room. She was willing to risk her engagement to find out who Faith was since she had no last name given and would never video chat.

The biggest gut punch for audiences came when Faith's true identity was divulged.

There was a lot of turmoil that resulted in Catfish getting involved, with Sami calling off their engagement while still living with Kristina. However, the biggest gut punch for audiences came when Faith's true identity was divulged. It was later revealed, while they were all stranded where Faith was supposed to be, that Sami was Faith all along. Similar to "Candic & Titus" or "Alfred & Adonis," the idea that Kristina's catfish was her partner was too outlandish to initially believe.

4 "Gemini & Myranda"

Season 8, Episode 10

What makes "Gemini & Myranda" one of the wildest Catfish episodes is that the catfish has been on the show before. In one of the later seasons of Catfish, audiences meet Gemini, a man who has been talking to a beautiful woman by the name of Myranda for seven years. But, of course, it turns out that Myranda is not who she says she is and is a repeat catfish offender.

The catfish is revealed to be Ashley Taylor, the same perpetrator who insulted Nev's co-host Kamie and conned Red with a web of different profiles several episodes earlier in the Catfish season 8 premiere, "Red & Jalissa." Nev and Kamie take matters into their own hands and stage an intervention for Ashley with two of her closest "friends," or rather, victims - Gemini and Red. It's incredibly rare to see a catfisher appear on the show more than once, but Ashley was a special case.