After a year of speculation, Kamie Crawford is finally sharing her side about what went down with former Catfish co-host, Nev Schulman.
Last October, the former beauty queen surprised fans when she announced her decision to leave Catfish: The TV Show after six seasons. Many viewers credited her for the resurgence of the series, living for her quotable moments, her nuanced takes, and her ability to advocate for and empathize with victims. She added a freshness to the show that was definitely needed after such a long run on MTV.
"After six years of living my absolute dream working on Catfish – one of the most iconic shows in television history, it is with a heavy heart and much consideration that I have decided to move on to my next adventure," Kamie said in her statement at the time.
The article continues after the video.
However, amid her departure announcement, some fans clocked the fact that Nev never publicly acknowledged Kamie's decision to leave the show. No appreciation for her time and contributions, no congratulations on her current successes, and no best of luck on what was to come in her future. In her statement, she seemed to focus more on gratitude and the love and support from viewers than on her co-host, Nev, as well.
Given how close they appeared to be on the show, it raised some eyebrows, sparking questions of whether or not there was bad blood between them. Still, the model and host kept it cute and never added any fuel to the fire whenever fans of the show asked if something happened behind the scenes that they weren't privy to.
The speculation would reignite following the recent news of the cancellation of Catfish after 9 seasons. Late last month, Nev posted a TikTok alongside former co-host Max Joseph (who was apparently in talks to return to the show and be Kamie's replacement, but alas, no.). In the video, Nev and Max talked about the show's cancellation, but the focus was thanking those a part of the show for their accomplishments as well as their contributions, fans and production included.
Screengrab via Nev Schulman/TikTok
Someone noticeably absent from the conversation, though, was Kamie, despite her six-season run as the series' new permanent co-host alongside Nev.
The omission felt intentional and stirred up renewed speculation about Kamie Crawford and Nev Schulman, and if their professional split was as amicable as once believed. Comments and TikToks were made in response, prompting Nev to do a bit of damage control by adding a comment to his TikTok acknowledging Kamie. He commented, "and a HUGE THANKS to Kamie of course!!!"
Perhaps too little, too late, because now, Kamie has taken to her platform, the Relationshit with Kamie Crawford podcast, to provide some context behind what's being speculated about. There, she opened up -- tastefully, of course -- about the situation and shared her timeline of how things unfolded and where she stands with Nev now.
Here's what we learned.
Why Kamie Crawford Left 'Catfish'
Whether it was the people she met along the way, or the doors that opened up because of her stint on the series, Kamie expressed a lot of gratitude for what her time on Catfish allotted.
After joining Catfish as a guest in September 2018, Kamie explained she became a permanent co-host in July 2019 and went on to film 100 or so episodes. In May 2022, she landed an overall deal with Paramount and MTV Entertainment Studios. This led to hosting opportunities with series like Sex on the Beach and Are U the One? while continuing her work with Catfish and her podcast, Relationshit with Kamie Crawford, which launched in 2021.
Kamie left the show in October 2024 but clarified that she hadn't filmed any new episodes as of March 2024. "It was a very difficult decision," she said in the September 26 episode.
She went on to acknowledge that while some listeners of a previous episode she recorded felt she was holding back about her reasons for leaving, that was intentional. "Not everything is everyone's business," she added. "And that is how I have kept it for over a year... on purpose."
"I have been minding my Black ass business."
Via Kamie Crawford/Instagram
She's Setting Boundaries Around What She Chooses to Share
After filming 100 episodes and acting as a co-host on Catfish for six seasons, Kamie discussed that her decision around keeping some things private about the show was a matter of boundaries. Though she felt she cultivated a safe space on her podcast to be revelatory and transparent because her listeners are her "besties," she is also aware of the need to have boundaries and not give access of everything about her life to everyone.
Kamie Crawford Calls Out Nev Schulman's TikTok Omission
However, Kamie called out Nev's TikTok video with Max Joseph about the cancellation, saying while it was "all well and good" that they took the time to count their blessings, it was also "very noticeable" that she was "purposefully left out of the thank yous." "If I had to bet my last dollar, I would bet that it was on purpose," she added.
Kamie then took note of people's reactions to seeing the video, their comments of disappointment and their video responses expressing their speculation around why she wouldn't be included in the video. She felt commentators had the right to say what they feel and appreciated the outrage, but in her mind, she didn't expect to be included.
"That is my experience," Kamie explained, alluding to her time working with her former co-host. "Is it unfortunate, does it hurt my feelings? I think I've gone through over a year's worth of healing and therapy and praying and crying and everything in between that at this point acceptance is the place that I'm at... I'm at the acceptance part and I'm good."
Still, she gave fans and supporters their thanks for showing love and always coming through for her. "So I appreciate the love and support and the flowers -- virtual flowers, of course -- that everyone has been leaving me. It is truly like a testament to the community that I've been able to build and the people who watch me and support me and I can't thank you enough."
"I am choosing my peace."
Via Kamie Crawford/Instagram
She's Done Explaining Herself
"For the past year and some change, I have been minding my Black ass business. I have been silent, not silenced. Because, by the way, no NDA is involved here," Kamie revealed in the episode. "I'm choosing what it is I want to say and what I don't want to say. I'm intentional with my words and the things I want to do."
Kamie went on to add, "I should be thanked for being quiet when I don't have to be. I'm choosing my peace. I am choosing to share what I want to share."
"The Kamie erasure is insane," she said, but like she later assured listeners, she doesn't have to take away from anyone else's light to validate her own so she still gave the show's influence and impact their credit.
Kamie Crawford Is Choosing Herself
"I'm choosing myself. In leaving the show, I was choosing myself, and I'm going to keep doing that."
Kamie's self-advocacy continues to be unmatched. In choosing herself, our good sis has walked away from opportunities that no longer serve her, aligned with ones that expand her, and attracted more love and abundance in the process. Now, newly engaged and renovating her home, Kamie has fully entered her peace era, moving with purpose, integrity, and professionalism.
While she had time today to speak up for herself, Kamie is still proving that choosing yourself is the level-up that hits every single time.
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Despite being the frequent topic of conversation online, Kayla Nicole says she’s learning to take advantage of her growing social media platform without becoming consumed by it. “I refuse to let the internet consume me. It’s supposed to be a resource and tool for connection, so if it becomes anything beyond that I will log out,” she says.
On The Pre-Game, which launched earlier this year, she has positioned herself as listeners “homegirl.” “There’s definitely a delicate dance between being genuine and oversharing, and I’ve had to learn that the hard way. Now I share from a place of reflection, not reaction,” she says. “If it can help someone feel seen or less alone, I’ll talk about it within reason. But I’ve certainly learned to protect parts of my life that I cherish most. I share what serves connection but doesn’t cost me peace.
"I refuse to let the internet consume me. It’s supposed to be a resource and tool for connection, so if it becomes anything beyond that I will log out."
Credit: Malcolm Roberson
Throughout each episode, she sips a cocktail and addresses trending topics (even when they involve herself). It’s a platform the Pepperdine University alumnus has been preparing to have since she graduated with a degree in broadcast journalism, with a concentration in political science.
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Tap into the full It Girl 100 Class of 2025 and meet all the women changing game this year and beyond. See the full list here.
Featured image by Malcolm Roberson
Anyway, I personally think that the less shallow folks out here may contemplate calling things “quits” or they at least distance themselves a bit from their partner (and what I’m referring to is serious relationships) due to all of the stress and strain that oftentimes comes with the holidays whether it be financial, familial, due to their tight schedules or something else.
Listen, I would hate for you and your man to miss the fun and happiness of experiencing this time of year, all because you are so overwhelmed or irritated that you can’t really enjoy it. That’s why I have a few practical tips for how to avoid allowing the typical holiday season stress from INFECTING your relationship.
Manage Your Expectations
GiphyUnmanaged expectations. If there is a main reason why the holiday season tends to be so stress-filled for so many people, I’d bet good money that this is the cause. And when you’re in a long-term relationship, expectations can manifest themselves in all sorts of cryptic and/or unexpected ways. You might have relatives who assume that you are going to be with them for Thanksgiving or Christmas when you have other plans in mind. You might be thinking that you are going to spend one amount for presents while your man is thinking something totally different. When it comes to scheduling, your signals may be crossed.
And you know what? To all of these scenarios, this is where clear and consistent communication come in. Don’t assume anything. Don’t dictate anything either. From now until New Year’s, mutually decide to check in once a week, just to make sure that you are both on the same page as it relates to the holidays and what you both are thinking will come along with it. The less blindsided you both feel, the less stressed out you will be. Trust me on this.
Set (and Keep) a Budget
GiphyOkay, so I read that last year, 36 percent of Americans incurred some type of holiday-related debt. Hmph. Last year, there was still some sense of normalcy in this country, chile, so I can only imagine what finances are gonna look like over the next several weeks. That said, since I don’t know a lot of people who don’t find being broke stressful, make sure that you and your bae set a budget and then stick to it this year — no ifs, ands or buts.
Because really, y’all — it doesn’t make sense to deplete savings and/or max out credit cards for a few days of giggles only to be damn near losing your mind because you don’t know how to make ends meet come Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
And by the way, this tip doesn’t just speak to things like food and gifts; I also mean travel. If it doesn’t make a ton of sense (or cents) to be all over the place this year — DON’T BE.
Keep Matthew 5:37 at the Forefront
GiphyIf off the top of your head, you don’t know what Matthew 5:37 says, no worries, here ya go: “But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.” That verse right there? Oh, it’s a boundaries lifesaver! I say that because do you see “maybe” or “I’ll think about it” in there? Nope. LOL. It says that you should tell people “yes” or “no” and leave it at that — and that complements Anne Lamott’s quote, “’No’ is a complete sentence” impeccably well. Yeah, you’ve got to remember that anything beyond a yes or no to a request is privileged information; you don’t owe anyone details or an explanation.
Besides, if you are really honest with yourself, when someone asks you something and you give a “Umm, let me think about it” kind of reply, more times than not, you already know what your answer is going to be — so why not let you both off of the hook? Give your response. Commit to that. And let everyone (including yourself) get on with their lives and schedules.
I promise you that when it comes to those holiday parties, you are pissing more folks off by not RSVP’ing or doing so and not showing up than just saying, “Thank you but not this year” off the rip.
Remember That Your Personal Space Is Privilege Not a Right
GiphyA friend of mine recently bought a new house and invited me over to come see it. He’s a single man with no children, so as I was taking in all of the space that he had, especially as I walked through his finished basement, I joked about relatives coming to live with him. “Hell no” and “absolutely not” were pretty much his immediate responses as he went on to say that some folks even had the nerve to be offended when he told them that he had no intentions on taking DNA in.
Ain’t it wild how people think that your stuff is their right? And yes, that brings me to my next point. Your home is your sanctuary space. If you want to host folks this year — cool. If not, ALSO COOL. Please don’t let folks (family included) guilt you into how they want you to act or even into what they would do if the shoe was on the other foot. You are not them — and as one of my favorite quotes states, “If two people were exactly alike, one of them would be unnecessary.” (A man by the name Larry Dixon said that.)
Hell, my friends? They know that I am good for sending them random things that they need or even want all throughout the year. Coming over to hang out at my pace, though. Uh-uh. Chalk it up to being a card-carrying member of the ambivert club yet I like keeping my living space personal — and I sleep like a baby, each and every night, for feeling that way.
Always remember that your space, your time, your resources, your energy and shoot, yourself period (including your relationship), are all things that are your own. You get to choose how, when and why you want to share them. The holiday season is certainly no exception.
Cultivate Some “You Two Only” Traditions
GiphyIt’s not uncommon for some couples to hit me up after the holiday season to “detox.” Sometimes it’s due to the financial drama (and sometimes trauma) that they experienced. Sometimes it’s because they allowed their relatives (especially in-laws) to get more into their personal business than they should’ve. More than anything, though, it tends to be because they didn’t get enough quality time together and so ended up feeling “disconnected.”
Please don’t let that happen. Listen, I’m not even a holidays kind of woman and yet, I will absolutely sit myself down with some hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookies to enjoy a Hallmark holiday film or two. Aside from the fact that most of them are lighthearted and sweet, I also like that they usually focus on couples loving on each other amidst all of the holiday beauty and ambiance — which is something that all couples should set aside some time to do.
Maybe it’s a vacation. Maybe it’s a staycation. Or maybe it’s my personal favorite, A SEXCATION. Whether it’s for a few days, the weekend or even overnight — don’t you let the holidays go by without setting aside time for you and your man to celebrate one another. Don’t you dare (check out “Are You Ready To Have Some Very Merry 'Christmas Sex'?”).
GET. SOME. REST.
GiphyI once read that 8 out of 10 people get stressed out over the holidays and 3 out of 10 lose sleep during to it — and when you’re stress-filled and sleep-deprived, that can absolutely lead to hypersensitivity, making mountains out of molehills and even not being in the mood for sex.
Your relationship can’t afford to go through any of this, so definitely make sure to prioritize rest. I don’t care how unrealistic it might seem during this time, sleep should never be seen as a luxury; it will always and forever be a great necessity.
That said, try to get no less than six hours of shut-eye in (check out “6 Fascinating Ways Sex And Sleep Definitely Go Hand In Hand”) and even ask your bae to take a nap with you sometimes (check out “Wanna Have Some Next-Level Sex? Take A Nap, Sis.”). Not only will sleep help to restore your mind, body and spirit but, when it’s with your partner, it’s an act of intimacy that can make you both feel super connected, even in the midst of what might feel like chaos.
___
Holiday season stress is real. Still, never give it the permission or power to throw your relationship off. Put you and your man first and let the holidays be what they are gonna be, chile.
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