Succession Parody TikTok Stars Taylor Owen and James Neal Are Engaged (Exclusive)

Neal proposed to Owen on June 17 during a romantic vacation in Florence, Italy

Taylor Owen and James Neal Are Engaged
James Neal (left) and Taylor Owen in 2024. Photo:

www.artviva.com / @artviva

TikTok stars Taylor Owen and James Neal — who are best known for their viral series of "If Real Life Was Succession" skits — are engaged!

Neal, 30, popped the question on June 17, overlooking the Arno River in Florence, Italy. The romantic reserved area was covered in rose petals, and a violinist played "Your Song" by Elton John for the big moment.

Owen, 30, says she knew something was up when Neal planned a dinner while they were traveling to Rome, Florence and Puglia, and wouldn't share any details with her.

"I was like, 'Oh, a surprise dinner in Italy. It must be a proposal,' " she says. Though she knew it was going to happen, she adds that Neal "totally blew me away" with the beautiful details of the night, which was organized by Artviva.

Neal says that he knew Owen was on to him while they were away, so he told himself, "I have to do something that she would never expect."

Taylor Owen and James Neal Are Engaged
Taylor Owen (left) and James Neal with violinist.

www.artviva.com / @artviva

But by time the couple arrived at the rooftop setting of their proposal, where a violinist and photographer were waiting for them, they both became emotional before Neal could even pop the question.

"We're both laughing hysterically because it feels like we're in a movie and the moment is happening and we both, like, are realizing what's going on at the same time," Neal says.

"It was just a surreal moment that we've waited so long [for]," Owen agrees.

She added that by the time Neal opened the ring box, she was crying so much that she couldn't see the toi et moi style ring, which is also known as a "two stone ring."

Taylor Owen and James Neal Are Engaged
James Neal (left) and Taylor Owen.

www.artviva.com / @artviva

"I told Tay I could go my whole life trying to find the woman that I wanna marry," Neal continues. "And I said, 'I'm so, so thankful that I don't have to because I found you.' "

The couple called the evening "one of the most beautiful nights that we'll probably ever experience."

Following their romantic photoshoot, Owen says "James did the cheesy movie line" and shouted "She said yes!" to a crowd of onlookers, who applauded.

Taylor Owen and James Neal Are Engaged
Taylor Owen (left) and James Neal.

www.artviva.com / @artviva

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The West Hollywood-based couple is known for their recreation of watercooler shows such as Succession, The Bear and The White Lotus. Their most well-known work is their "If Real Life Was Succession" videos.

Owen and Neal met in 2015 while attending Chapman University. After a brief interaction after class one day, Owen called her best friend and said, "I think I just saw my husband, but I don't know if I'll ever see him again." Neal and Owen started dating the following year.

Taylor Owen and James Neal Are Engaged
James Neal and Taylor Owen.

www.artviva.com / @artviva

They cheekily announced their engagement on social media, captioning a TikTok "Siblings or engaged?" — a nod to some fans who assumed they were siblings when they started making TikTok videos about Succession characters Shiv and Kendall Roy.

Owen says that she knew what their social media caption would be when they got engaged. "Is everything a bit to you, Taylor?" Neal jokes of his future wife's plan.

"Unfortunately," she says, "it is."

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Taylor Owen and James Neal Are Engaged
James Neal (left) and Taylor Owen.

www.artviva.com / @artviva

Owen has appeared on Dave, Veep and Abbott Elementary. Neal's acting credits include the television series Almost Friday and the drama Stay With Me.

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