StarTimes’ Hello Mr Right returns for Season 4

Television host Bukunmi Adeaga-Ilori, popularly known as KieKie, and reality TV personality Nelson Enwerem, known as Prince Nelson, will return as hosts of Hello Mr Right as the StarTimes dating reality show introduces new twists in its fourth season.

KieKie will host the programme for a third consecutive season, while Prince Nelson returns as co-host for a second season.

The new season will introduce AI-assisted matchmaking and a role-reversal format in which women take charge of selecting their potential partners.

The season opens with an audition episode on 26 September on ST Nollywood Plus. It will be rebroadcast on 1 October, ahead of the main show’s premiere on 3 October.

Women take charge

The new format, dubbed “The Switch”, reverses the show’s traditional setup, where several women compete for the attention of one man.

“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.

Series director Jide Ali said 12 men would compete for one woman under the new format.

“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 programme will also deploy AI to assess contestants’ profiles and suggest potential 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.

Ali described the new season in one word as “Lambacious.”

Different cast, new dynamics

Prince Nelson said the new contestants bring a different dynamic to the programme.

“The people we have this year, I believe, are more interesting than the people I saw last season,” he said, describing them as outspoken and genuine.

Series producer Rotimi Babalogbon said the casting process was broadened to accommodate contestants from different professions, age groups, backgrounds and body types.

“This season has exceeded my expectations in every aspect,” Babalogbon said.

He said some relationships formed during filming appeared promising, with at least two couples showing potential to continue their relationships after the programme.

KieKie calls for authenticity

Despite the introduction of AI and other format changes, KieKie said contestants would still need honesty and authenticity to build meaningful 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.

“A long-lasting relationship has a lot to do with being honest, and of course, it starts with love,” she added.

StarTimes Marketing Director Oke Umurhohwo said the programme was designed to reflect dating and relationship experiences from a Nigerian perspective.

“Relationships, dating, and the search for companionship are universal experiences, but we wanted something that reflects them through a distinctly Nigerian lens,” Mr Umurhohwo said.

He said the new season would also use social media content and audience engagement to extend conversations around the programme.

“The objective is to make Hello Mr Right more than something people watch. We want it to become something they talk about,” he said.