Steven McBee Jr., known for his participation in the reality television series *The McBee Dynasty: Real American Cowboys*, recently opened up to PEOPLE about the emotional complexities he has faced following a public breakup with fellow reality star Allie Eklund. As the upcoming season three gears up for its premiere, McBee anticipates watching the portrayal of his past relationship will be “bittersweet.”
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In his exclusive interview, the 32-year-old entrepreneur reflected on the lessons learned during what he describes as a “difficult year.” The time spent in therapy and deep self-reflection have been pivotal for McBee, enabling him to respond more thoughtfully in emotionally charged situations. He now practices a technique that involves pausing for 20 minutes before reacting, a strategy he believes has transformed his interactions.
“There’s a moment where you find out information, and then there’s your reaction,” McBee explains. “If you can pause and take a breather, for me it’s literally 20 minutes. This distance allows me to return to the situation without the emotional spike.” This newfound approach has helped him manage anxiety and maintain a clearer perspective when dealing with stress.
The reality star’s comments come in the wake of his breakup with Eklund, a model and content creator from Texas, after a six-month relationship. Tensions escalated in April when Eklund publicly shared screenshots of messages from McBee that included disparaging remarks. Accusations of infidelity followed, which Eklund vehemently denied. In the days that followed, McBee issued a public apology, acknowledging that his words were “cruel” and expressing shame over their hurtful nature. “No level of personal hurt and betrayal justifies the language I used,” he stated, accepting the criticism he received as fair.
As he prepares to watch the third season unfold, McBee describes the experience as likely to be a mix of emotions. “I had a great relationship that’s going to play out in this season,” he shares. “I thought the world of the girl I was dating and believed things would have taken a more positive turn.”
Despite the painful memories, McBee aims to focus on what he can learn from the relationship. “I want to be grateful for the time I had and extract valuable lessons that I can apply to future relationships,” he stated, highlighting his intent to shift his perspective towards the positive aspects.
In addition to personal matters, viewers of *The McBee Dynasty* will witness McBee handling significant professional challenges. His family business is currently under strain, particularly as his father, Steve McBee Sr., is serving a two-year prison sentence resulting from a guilty plea in a multi-million-pound crop insurance fraud case. McBee is mindful that these pressures do not excuse his past behaviour: “I take full accountability for my actions.”
While focusing on personal growth and responsibility, McBee is also open to the idea of dating again in the future. He jokingly mentioned that he might consider participating in dating shows once more, hinting at a desire to possibly return to the reality dating scene.
Moreover, McBee has even entertained the thought of competing in *Dancing with the Stars*. He shared a humorous anecdote about secretly taking dance lessons to impress an early love. “I started taking dance lessons with this sweet 65-year-old lady for eight months,” he recalled, adding that his family was oblivious to the real reason for his two-hour absences.
As the premiere date approaches, excitement builds for the new season of *The McBee Dynasty: Real American Cowboys*, which will chronicle the family’s ongoing struggles while maintaining their business and personal relationships. The series is set to return on Monday, June 15, at 9:15 p.m. ET on Bravo, promising to deliver engaging content as McBee navigates the complexities of both life and love.