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…AI matchmaking, role reversal and new dating twists
Television host and content creator Bukunmi Adeaga-Ilori, popularly known as KieKie, has promised a more entertaining and unpredictable season of Hello Mr Right as the StarTimes original dating reality show returns for its fourth season.
The new season kicks off with the audition episode airing September 26 on ST Nollywood Plus, giving viewers a first look at the personalities hoping to find love on the show. The audition will be rebroadcast on October 1, ahead of the main show beginning October 3.
Season 4 introduces some of the biggest changes to the show’s format since its debut, including artificial intelligence-powered matchmaking and a role reversal that puts women in control of the selection process.
KieKie returns as host for a third consecutive season alongside Nelson Enwerem, popularly known as Prince Nelson, who returns for his second season as co-host.
A new twist on finding Mr Right
One of the major changes this season reverses the show’s familiar format. Rather than having women compete for the attention of a single man, some episodes will place the men on the stands while a woman decides who she wants to pursue.
“Usually, we would have the girls on the stand and the man in the centre, but this year we have the men on the stand as well, with the woman deciding who she wants from among them,” KieKie said.
She described the change as an interesting dynamic that gives women the opportunity to make the choice while men experience what it means to be selected.
Series director Jide Ali said the new feature, dubbed “The Switch,” is one of two major additions to Season 4.
“The usual format is that 12 women are vying for one Mr Right, but we reversed it so that 12 men compete for one Miss Right,” he said.
The second major innovation introduces AI-assisted matchmaking, with technology analysing contestant profiles to identify potentially compatible matches.
“We also have an AI segment that matches contestants based on their profiles. AI uses its own assessment to match the lady it considers most compatible with the profile of Mr Right,” Ali explained.
Asked to describe the new season in one word, the director chose an unconventional one: “Lambacious.”
Bigger personalities, broader casting
Prince Nelson said this year’s contestants bring a different energy to the programme.
“The people we have this year, I believe, are more interesting than the people I saw last season,” he said, describing the contestants as outspoken, genuine and drawn from diverse backgrounds.
Series producer Rotimi Babalogbon said the production deliberately broadened its casting this season, bringing together contestants from a wider range of professions, ages, backgrounds and body types.
“This season has exceeded my expectations in every aspect,” Babalogbon said.
According to him, the broader casting was designed to reflect the diversity of modern dating experiences while giving viewers more personalities and perspectives with which they can identify.
The producer said some connections formed during filming also appear promising, with at least two couples showing potential to continue their relationships beyond the programme.
Authenticity still matters
Despite the entertainment and new technology, KieKie believes one of the show’s biggest lessons remains the importance of authenticity in relationships.
“I just think it’s about being genuine and being real, being authentic, because relationships are one very quick way to expose your flaws,” she said.
According to her, people may be able to conceal aspects of themselves in professional or casual settings, but maintaining such appearances becomes much harder in intimate relationships.
“A long-lasting relationship has a lot to do with being honest, and of course, it starts with love,” she added.
She also encouraged viewers to learn from the experiences and mistakes of contestants rather than simply watching for entertainment.
Prince similarly believes some of the conversations on the show will resonate beyond television.
“I feel like it’s a very interesting show. When people watch at home, they are going to learn one or two things,” he said.
Dating through a Nigerian lens
StarTimes Marketing Director Oke Umurhohwo said the continued investment in Hello Mr Right reflects the company’s commitment to original entertainment that connects with Nigerian audiences.
“Relationships, dating and the search for companionship are universal experiences, but we wanted something that reflects them through a distinctly Nigerian lens,” Umurhohwo said.
He said the programme’s strength lies in its relatability rather than creating an unrealistic version of romance.
“Hello Mr Right isn’t trying to create a fantasy world that feels disconnected from the everyday experiences of young Nigerians. The personalities, conversations, attraction, awkward moments and choices are things viewers can recognise,” he said.
According to Umurhohwo, the new season will also be supported by a marketing campaign designed to take the programme beyond traditional television viewing.
The campaign will combine television with social media clips, contestant content, audience reactions, creator partnerships and influencer engagement, allowing conversations around each episode to continue online.
“The objective is to make Hello Mr Right more than something people watch. We want it to become something they talk about,” he said.
For Babalogbon, finding a lasting relationship remains only one possible outcome of the experience.
“Whether you find Mr Right or not, you can learn from the experience and take it into your real life,” he said.
The fourth season promises a broader cast, new dating dynamics, AI-assisted matchmaking and more opportunities for viewers to participate in conversations around love, attraction and compatibility.
Hello Mr Right Season 4 auditions air September 26, with a rebroadcast on October 1, before the main show begins October 3, exclusively on ST Nollywood Plus on StarTimes.
