The latest trend of “reverse catfishing” shows that Gen Z is now choosing to value authenticity over performance in terms of finding a partner. Reverse catfishing refers to deliberately underselling yourself online in the hope of finding something more real. It’s quite literally the opposite of catfishing, which involves presenting a false version of yourself and sometimes even a completely different identity online, usually with the aim to attract romantic interest. This leaves many users disillusioned with digital dating and pushes them toward reverse catfishing in pursuit of less performative connections. With dating apps, first impressions often happen digitally. While this can generate interest, it can also lead to a mismatch between online perception and real-life interaction. This is where reverse catfishing can play a crucial role. The findings showed that text-based interactions produced higher levels of perceived social attraction compared to videoconferencing. However, after meeting face-to-face, while social attraction persisted, romantic attraction declined. This clearly suggests that idealized online self-presentation can inflate social impressions but may create disappointment when offline reality does not match expectations. These findings underscore the importance of authenticity in online dating. Reverse catfishing might help ensure that the positive impressions formed online translate into real-world interactions. Intentionally downplaying appearance by using unfiltered photos or presenting themselves more modestly than in real life can help users filter out people who are only interested in surface-level attraction. This approach challenges the swiping-driven culture that prioritizes looks over personality. In a way, it also helps manage expectations by presenting a more authentic version of oneself and can even serve as a subtle safety measure by deterring unwanted attention. In essence, reverse catfishing can act as a tool to counter many of the frustrations and risks experienced by dating app users. Dissatisfaction on dating apps reflects a systemic issue where superficiality and inflated expectations dominate the online dating landscape. In this context, reverse catfishing emerges as more than a quirky trend; it’s more a deliberate strategy to reclaim control.