Watch Family or Fiance
- 2019
- 3 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 3 seasons (55 episodes) between March 9, 2019 and on OWN