Family or Fiance

Watch Family or Fiance

  • 2019
  • 4 Seasons

Family or Fiance is a reality television series produced by OWN that premiered on January 12, 2019. The show aims to help engaged couples from different cultural backgrounds by putting them through a three-day pre-marital counseling process, under the guidance and mentorship of family and relationship expert, Tracy McMillan. Each couple comes from a different cultural background, and their families also come from distinct ethnic or religious groups, making it increasingly challenging for the couple to agree on aspects of their wedding plans or future plans as a married couple. The show's main aim is to help the couples work out their differences, improve communication and understanding, and strengthen their relationships with their families.

The premise of the show involves couples in long-term relationships, who have already decided to get married, but their families' disapproval has created a rift between them. Their differences could be cultural or religious, or simply a consequence of long-held family grudges, making it hard to envision their future as a cohesive unit. That's where McMillan steps in, working with them to pave a way forward. She begins by trying to understand the couple's unique story, delving into their personal backgrounds, family dynamics, and relationship struggles to create a customized counseling plan.

The three-day counseling process starts with McMillan bringing the couple and their families together to get to know one another better, identify areas where they agree, and where they hold divergent opinions. Throughout the counseling sessions, McMillan helps the couples identify their individual communication styles, explore their feelings, negotiate their differences, and ultimately forge a bond with their families.

The show also incorporates several activities that challenge the couples to work together, from cooking meals to completing outdoor challenges. The activities allow McMillan to observe and assess their communication and collaboration skills, giving her an opportunity to offer advice on how to improve their interactions.

At the end of the three-day process, the couple has to decide whether to stick to their original wedding plans or make changes based on their new insights and family dynamics. McMillan holds everyone accountable for their actions, pushing the couples to move past their differences, keep an open mind, and learn from one another.

Family or Fiance addresses some of the most significant challenges that engaged couples face, such as navigating their different religious beliefs or cultural customs, working through family conflicts, and managing differing expectations. The show's ultimate goal is to create stronger and more resilient relationships that can overcome any obstacle that life throws their way.

In summary, Family or Fiance is an entertaining and educational reality TV show that offers a unique window into the dynamics of culturally diverse families. The show sheds light on the challenges couples face and the ways in which therapy and counseling can help strengthen relationships between people, regardless of their cultural backgrounds. Tracy McMillan is a compassionate and experienced mentor who guides the couples through the counseling journey with empathy and wisdom, encouraging them to create deep and lasting connections with their families.

Family or Fiance is a series that ran for 4 seasons (65 episodes) between March 9, 2019 and on OWN

Family or Fiance
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Seasons
Christina and Lamar: 'Til Dowry Do Us Part?
10. Christina and Lamar: 'Til Dowry Do Us Part?
June 28, 2025
Christina and Lamar share an intense love for each other and their 2-year-old daughter, Aniyah. But between her Nigerian culture, his traumatic past, and a resentful auntie, everyone has a hard time envisioning their future as wedded bliss.
Janae and Phillip: Bottoms Up and Rock Bottom
9. Janae and Phillip: Bottoms Up and Rock Bottom
June 21, 2025
When Janae and Phillip met, they began a passionate love affair with loads of travel, excitement and non-stop parties. But now that Phillip is newly sober, their lifestyle differences and communication styles wave a red flag for concerned family members.
Sky and James: Parents Just Don't Understand
8. Sky and James: Parents Just Don't Understand
June 14, 2025
Sky and James had a beautiful courtship and a perfect proposal in front of both families -- until Sky's father stole her moment and jumped in the pool. Before either family will give their blessing, this couple must engage in some tough family conversations.
Kiva and Tobias: Crazy Stupid Young Love
7. Kiva and Tobias: Crazy Stupid Young Love
June 7, 2025
Kiva and Tobias have only recently begun their lives as young adults, but they are on the fast track to marriage in less than a month. While their families wonder why they can't just wait a while, they are eager to prove that young love can conquer all.
LaKisha and Darnell: Father Figure, Father Failures
6. LaKisha and Darnell: Father Figure, Father Failures
May 31, 2025
A bride-to-be struggles to trust her future husband due to his history as a ladies' man. However, she later uncovers that her parents' contentious marriage and divorce in her own childhood may be the reason she is unwilling to let her guard down.
Britne and Jide: A Valentine's Day Mom-sacre
5. Britne and Jide: A Valentine's Day Mom-sacre
March 15, 2025
An engaged couple find that their uniquely opposite family histories make it hard to trust each other's intentions in the relationship. While the groom-to-be struggles with his mama's boy identity, his fiancee struggles with her own childhood trauma.
Oleathia and Terrance: Ghosts of Relationships Past
4. Oleathia and Terrance: Ghosts of Relationships Past
March 8, 2025
After a debilitating accident, Oleathia and Terrance fast-tracked their courtship into living together, with Terrance caring for her and her two sons. But six weeks before the wedding, the crisis is over, and the family struggles to find common ground.
Tiara and Aikeem: Crazy, Angry, Love
3. Tiara and Aikeem: Crazy, Angry, Love
March 1, 2025
Childhood sweethearts with a history of breaking up and making up have decided they are ready to commit to marriage, but their families worry that past traumas are still clouding their abilities to maintain a healthy and functional relationship.
Sonia and Michael: She Works Hard for Her Money
2. Sonia and Michael: She Works Hard for Her Money
February 15, 2025
After a romantic meet-cute in a New York City rainstorm, Sonia and Michael fell in love and now plan to get married. But when reality set in, they soon realized that their lifestyles, ambitions and parenting styles were not in sync with each other at all.
James and Jamica: Kissin' Cousins
1. James and Jamica: Kissin' Cousins
February 8, 2025
James and Jamica met at a family funeral ... yes, a family funeral. They are third cousins, and naturally their immediate family has some heavy concerns for their union. Before they walk down the aisle, can these two put their loved ones' minds at ease?
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Where to Watch Family or Fiance
Family or Fiance is available for streaming on the OWN website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Family or Fiance on demand at Max, Discovery+, Prime Video, Philo, Hulu and OWN.
  • Premiere Date
    March 9, 2019