If you’ve spent any time on reality TV Reddit or binge-watched The McBee Dynasty, you know the names Calah and Steven McBee all too well. They were the couple we couldn't quite stop watching, even when we probably should have. It all started back in 2021 on the set of Joe Millionaire: For Richer or Poorer. Steven was the "rich" Joe, the Missouri farm boy with a massive family business, and Calah Jackson was the project manager from Dallas who didn't seem particularly impressed by the glitz.
They left the show together. A promise ring was involved. Things looked promising, in that "we're going to make this work in the real world" kind of way. But reality TV is one thing; reality is something else entirely.
Why the Calah and Steven McBee Romance Hit a Wall
Honestly, it’s a bit of a mess. Most fans saw the cracks forming long before the official split. Steven Jr. and Calah didn't just break up once. They didn't break up twice. According to Steven himself, the pair split and reconciled something like 15 or 16 times.
That is exhausting.
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The tension peaked during Season 2 of The McBee Dynasty: Real American Cowboys. While the McBee family was dealing with a literal FBI investigation into the patriarch, Steve Sr., the relationship between Steven Jr. and Calah was imploding in the background. Or rather, in the foreground. It became a central plot point because the drama was just too loud to ignore.
One of the biggest friction points was Calah’s relationship—or lack thereof—with the rest of the McBee clan. There was a lot of talk about her not fitting in. Steven’s brothers, particularly Cole, weren't exactly her biggest fans. At one point, Calah allegedly told the family she "hated them" and didn't want them to speak to her.
Then came the tragedy.
Calah lost her sister. It was a devastating blow. However, because of the massive blowout that happened just 24 hours prior, the McBee family didn't reach out. They claimed they didn't know if she even wanted to hear from them. Watching that play out on screen was tough. Steven later admitted on a podcast that he and his family "handled that wrong." He actually called Calah to apologize after watching the episodes back.
The Financial Strings and the Dallas Move
Money always makes things weirder. In the final stages of their relationship, Calah wanted to move back to Dallas. She was done with rural Missouri. Can you blame her? But there was a catch. She wanted Steven to co-sign on an apartment for her in Texas.
This became a huge point of contention. Steven’s mom, Kristi, even got involved, basically calling the relationship "toxic." Steven eventually had to put his foot down. He recently confirmed that he is no longer paying for her car or her apartment. The financial cord has been cut.
Is there any hope for a reunion?
Basically, no.
Steven has been very vocal about the fact that the door is "closed." He told The Daily Dish that too much damage had been done. He’d rather start fresh than try to patch up a ship that’s already sunk 16 times.
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And he has started fresh. In November 2025, Steven "hard launched" his new relationship with influencer Allie Eklund. He posted a series of photos on Instagram with the caption "Never been so certain." That’s a pretty loud message to send when your ex is still a major topic of conversation.
Calah, for her part, seems a lot happier too. She moved back to Dallas for good. She’s gone on record saying she’s in a much better mental place and has no intention of ever moving back to Missouri. It turns out that sometimes the best thing for a relationship is for it to end.
What we can learn from the McBee drama
It’s easy to judge reality stars, but their situation is a textbook example of a few things:
- Family dynamics matter: If the family hates the partner, the relationship is fighting an uphill battle from day one.
- On-again, off-again is usually a sign: If you’ve broken up 15 times, the 16th time probably isn't the charm.
- The "TV Bubble" is real: Connections made on dating shows often struggle when the cameras stop rolling and the real-world stressors—like multi-million dollar business debts and federal investigations—start piling up.
If you’re still following the McBee saga, the best way to keep up is through their social media or by catching the latest episodes of the dynasty on Peacock. The show has moved on, and so have they.
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Actionable Next Steps:
If you're curious about the business side of the McBee empire, you should look into the specific details of the federal crop insurance fraud case involving Steve Sr. It provides a lot of context for why the stress levels were so high during Steven and Calah's final months. You can also follow Allie Eklund on Instagram if you want to see how the "new chapter" is going for Steven Jr.