In a revealing interview with PEOPLE, Steven McBee Jr. and his brother Cole McBee shared the emotional upheaval their family is navigating in the latest season of their reality series, “The McBee Dynasty: Real American Cowboys.” The brothers discussed how life has altered significantly since their father, Steve McBee Sr., began serving a two-year prison sentence for crop insurance fraud.
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At the heart of this season’s challenges is Galyna Saltkovska, Steve Sr.’s former girlfriend and Chief Financial Officer for McBee Farm & Cattle Co. Following their father’s incarceration, Steven and Cole found themselves stepping into roles that once belonged to their father, particularly in offering emotional support to Saltkovska. “On a personal level, I feel like Cole and I have had to try and keep Galyna emotionally regulated, when that was really my dad’s role,” Steven explained.
Throughout the third season, viewers will see the intricacies of the relationship between Saltkovska and her former friend Masha, creating a backdrop of drama that the McBee brothers now have to manage. “It was very unexpected for us, and now we feel like we’re stepping into shoes that we didn’t anticipate having to fill,” Steven added, hinting at the complexities of their new dynamic.
The absence of their father has pushed the brothers to work more collaboratively in running the family businesses. Previously, they often relied on Steve Sr. for guidance in tough situations. “Before, if there was a problem, we could just call Dad and let him handle it. Now, it’s been solving by committee,” Steven noted, highlighting how this situation has, paradoxically, fostered a closer bond among the brothers. They’ve learned to make collective decisions rather than looking to a single leader.
Cole reflected on the new challenges, describing how much he now appreciates their father’s ability to navigate the family’s complicated dynamics. Balancing his own family life, with a fiancée Kacie Adkison and their daughter, Cole remarked, “I don’t know how he managed all of this. It’s definitely a different ball game”—a sentiment echoed by Steven, who hinted at an equally chaotic season ahead. “Season 3 throws in every single element you could possibly think of,” he said.
The McBee family’s challenges extend beyond their emotional landscape. They face the formidable task of maintaining and growing their businesses without the figure who once filled the role of primary decision-maker. “It’s allowed us to really brainstorm together and develop our individual roles within the company,” Cole explained, underscoring the necessity of adaptability in their dynamic.
The brothers also credited their mother, Kristi McBee, for being a steadfast support during this tumultuous time. “She’s been a rock for every single person,” Cole said, acknowledging her vital role in keeping the family grounded amidst uncertainty.
Despite the pressures that come with being in the spotlight, the McBees have committed to presenting their authentic selves to their audience. “Everybody says we share too much,” Cole joked, while Steven conveyed a more serious commitment to transparency. “We’d rather be imperfectly authentic than curate a perfect image,” he shared, highlighting their desire for authenticity as a family.
On a personal note, both brothers maintain regular communication with their father, visiting him each month in a federal prison camp in Yankton, South Dakota. Cole addressed their father’s state during imprisonment, saying, “He’s doing as well as he can under the circumstances,” while emphasising his father’s optimistic outlook. “He continues to focus on our well-being, even from afar.”
As “The McBee Dynasty” moves into its latest season, fans can expect a rollercoaster of emotions, complex relationships, and the brothers’ evolution amidst adversity. New episodes air every Monday at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo, offering a front-row seat to the ongoing journey of a family navigating life’s challenges in the public eye.