Following a student’s recommendation, I set aside time to watch Housemates Salone Season 4. As an academic who primarily lectures Gen Zs, I tend to keep an eye and an ear on the interests of that generation. Reality TV shows are things they are obsessed with. The majority love the endless drama and controversies that come with producing such content.
No matter your perspective on reality TV shows, there are learning points you can weave out of it. Housemates Salone Season 4 is a mini-masterclass on human behaviour in the social environment. I have watched twists and turns, cabals and separations, conflict and peace, trust and betrayal, uncertainty and purpose, as well as maturity and emotional instability.
In reality shows, your victory is dependent on three spheres: yourself, your fellow housemates, and the fans who vote with their wallets.
Before the show started, Sia Savage & DJ Morlu were two participants whom I initially tipped to make it to the grand finale.
In the case of Sia, she is already a polarizing figure in mainstream Sierra Leone. She is a social media influencer known for serving vulgarity and explicit content. The show was actually a chance for her to rebrand her image. If she had shown an ounce of decency, she would have done well in the polls. I am sure that if viewers saw a calm, composed, and calculated Sia, there would be calls to rally around her. The decision to exit the show on an issue that has nothing to do with her was premature.
DJ Morlu was one of my favorite housemates. She was probably the only multi-talented participant this year. She sings, dances, DJs, writes poetry, models, and has a unique personality. I felt sad that she was disqualified from the show over some petty issues. I wish she could make a comeback in the reality television space.
The high point of the show is the organizers’ decision to play the housemates the well-wishes from their loved ones outside the house. This class act by AYV brought out the vulnerabilities and stories of the various participants.
The words of Mama Isho got me in tears. I am sure the other housemates (and viewers) were surprised to learn how he entered the formal school system. Even though the poor lady is disconnected from pop culture, she goes around with a basket to raise money and do odd jobs, just so her son can stay inside the house. What a lady!
For most viewers, Ella appears to be a toxic figure. She is actually one of the characters worth studying. There are times Ella has shown her angelic side. When Kumzee was disqualified, Ella could not hold back her tears. This happened a day after Lasimoh, a member of her cabal, got evicted. I thought it was over for Ella after her two buddies left the house in quick succession. She was smart enough to ally with the guys and had Prince Kelvin on toast. You can tell Ella is a guy’s girl – she follows hip-hop and watches martial arts movies. Her reaction whilst watching her mother’s pleasantries showed a side of her that viewers had not really experienced.
Saidu’s mom was also on point. She spoke very highly of her son. She took great pride in raising her boy to become an upright man. Even though he tried to be calm, his inner child surfaced. Saidu shed some tears whilst watching her mom pour positive energy on him.
Suad is one character I pay close attention to in the house. I know her high-profile marriage and divorce to the Leone Stars player affected her public image. However, if you watch her closely, you can tell she is a sweet soul. I am sure Adama Baydoun confirmed what most viewers have been thinking. When she stood on that podium on Sunday, the crowd was chanting her name; she had to let a few tears of joy flow.
Abdul was all smiles whilst watching the video from his lady, but deep down, daggers pierced him with those words. His conduct has placed him in a challenging position with that lady after the show. Additionally, Liz was uncomfortable watching the video. Her facial expression was clearly visible to all. If you have a stable relationship outside the house, why would you be getting into some awkward stuff with Liz?
Yabom’s lady was a breath of fresh air. She made a comedian show his authentic, vulnerable side. I am sure those words coming from his lady meant so much to him. He is one character I pay close attention to. I wish this show could help kick-start his career in the entertainment industry. His team should explore ways to intersect comedy with dancing.
Once again, AYV was a class act for bringing the loved ones of the various housemates on board this journey. The impact of this exercise was felt not only inside the house but also in the living rooms of viewers outside Sierra Leone. I am pretty sure that I am not the only person who asked for tissues to wipe away my tears while watching the videos.
© Lecturer, University of Sierra Leone
5th December, 2025
