After MTV officially canceled Catfish following nine successful seasons, host Nev Schulman opened up with gratitude and reflection, admitting the show’s end marks both a bittersweet farewell and a fresh start as he transitions from exposing online lies to building real-life connections as a New York real estate agent.

After more than a decade of exposing online deception and building a global fanbase, Catfish host Nev Schulman is closing one of the most unexpected chapters of his career.

The MTV hit series — which first aired in 2012 and became a cultural touchstone for the internet age — has officially been canceled after nine seasons, marking the end of an era for Schulman and fans alike.

But while many are mourning the loss of the show, Schulman is already diving headfirst into a brand-new adventure — one that’s as real as it gets.

In a candid sit-down interview in New York, Schulman reflected on the show’s unexpected journey from a small independent film to a decade-defining television series.

“When Catfish first started, I was coming off one of the most embarrassing moments of my life,” Schulman admitted, referencing the 2010 documentary that launched his career after he discovered the woman he fell in love with online wasn’t who she claimed to be.

“What began as a personal heartbreak turned into something that helped millions of people — and honestly, that still blows my mind.”

Since its debut, Catfish: The TV Show became more than just entertainment — it became a mirror for a digital generation struggling with the blurred lines between truth and identity.

Co-hosting alongside Max Joseph (and later Kamie Crawford), Schulman helped countless people uncover the truth behind their mysterious online relationships.

Yet, as he explained, even a groundbreaking show must evolve or end.

“The internet changed.

Social media changed.

People got smarter, and so did the lies,” Schulman said, with a half-smile.

“But what never changed was the human need for connection.

That’s what kept me doing this for so long.”

The news of the cancellation reportedly came from MTV earlier this fall, citing “programming shifts and a focus on new digital content.

” Schulman took it in stride, choosing to see the end not as a setback but as an opportunity to reinvent himself — again.

Now 39, married, and a father of three, Schulman has traded digital catfishing for the fast-paced world of New York City real estate.

“It might sound random,” he laughed, “but everything I learned from Catfish — reading people, asking the right questions, understanding emotions — it’s all part of selling homes.

Real estate is about trust, and I’ve spent the last 15 years learning how to earn it.”

Schulman recently joined a Manhattan-based real estate firm and has already been spotted showing multimillion-dollar penthouses to celebrity clients and tech entrepreneurs.

“I love meeting new people, hearing their stories, figuring out what makes them feel at home,” he said.

“It’s actually not that different from helping people find truth online — except now, the houses are real, and the emotions are just as deep.”

As for whether Catfish could make a comeback, Schulman didn’t rule it out.

“Never say never,” he teased.

“We built something special, and who knows what the future holds? Maybe in a few years, we’ll revisit it in a whole new way.

But for now, I’m just grateful for the ride.”

Reflecting on more than 15 years of fame, Schulman remains humble.

“Every message, every fan who said the show helped them trust again or walk away from something toxic — that’s what mattered most,” he said.

“Catfish wasn’t about catching bad people.

It was about helping good people see the truth.”

As Schulman embarks on his next chapter, it’s clear that the man who once turned heartbreak into healing is now turning closure into opportunity.

“It’s scary, but exciting,” he admitted.

“Life’s full of fake profiles — but this next part? It’s 100% real.”

And with that, the man who once helped the world unmask deception may have just found his most authentic role yet — not behind a camera, but inside the heart of New York City, helping others find where they truly belong.