MTV disrupted the relationship reality space years ago with “Catfish,” the series committed to unlocking the identity of mystery suitors. Now, the network is picking up where “Catfish” left off with “Help! I’m in a Secret Relationship!” Actress Rahne Jones co-hosts the reality series with recording artist Travis Mills. Jones says she relates to guests of the show because she’s experienced being “kept a secret” in a past relationship.
“I’ve been there before. I’ve been in relationships where the other person wasn’t comfortable living in their own truth, and as a result, they kept our relationship a secret and that didn’t feel good,” Jones shares. “I know how that feels and I’ve shared that with our guests. I think it helped me empathize with them because I’ve been in their shoes.”
The season features guests who are keeping secrets from their partners to varying degrees. From a partner moonlighting as a professional “cuddler,” to suitors living extreme double lives, or many times that the partner is the secret. There are no shortage of mysteries revealed and dramas uncovered on the disruptive new series. By the time guests have reached out to the show for help, the relationship has more than likely hit a brick wall or come to a fork in the road.
“Sometimes it takes an outside eye to crack that whip a little bit. These are people [who] have been lied to and led to believe their relationship is different than it truly is. In relationships, you should have a level of trust so people don’t question certain things from the jump. I think as time goes on and you see there are issues, the ego often doesn’t want to admit things aren’t perfect,” Jones explains.
Jones and co-host Mills bring a level of empathy while encouraging all parties involved to represent their truth. Once they are assigned to a secret relationship, they don’t stop digging until everything is revealed. As a result, the outcomes are oftentimes shocking.
“Help! I’m in a Secret Relationship!” airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. EDT on MTV.
