This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
*Get ready, because OWN’s hit dating series “The Never Ever Mets” is back for its second season on April 4, 2025, and it’s bringing the heat!
Hosted by the multi-talented Ta’Rhonda Jones, the show follows seven couples who’ve built their relationships entirely online—without ever meeting face-to-face—until now. Over three intense weeks, these digital lovebirds will live together, tackle challenges, and test whether their virtual sparks can ignite in the real world. I recently sat down with Jones, the show’s charismatic relationship guide, to get the scoop on what viewers can expect from this explosive new season.
A Season Packed with Secrets and Surprises
“It is explosive this season,” Jones teased. “You can expect a lot more secrets.” Unlike the inaugural season, where participants were thrown into the mix blind, this time around, the couples came prepared.
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“Nobody was coming in blindsided,” Jones explained. “Most of them came a little bit more prepared to do what they needed to do to secure their connection.” But preparation doesn’t mean smooth sailing—Jones promised “unexpected twists” are still in store. “It’s reality, of course,” she said.
And what about those first meetings? Were there any jaw-dropping moments?
“Absolutely,” Jones revealed. She recounted one particularly candid confession from a male contestant: “He said, ‘Listen, I was only so used to talking to this girl from chest up.’ When he saw her in person, he just wasn’t feeling it. He was a little disappointed at what he saw.”
Guiding Love from Screen to Scene
As the host and relationship guide, Jones is more than just a friendly face—she’s the glue holding this experiment together. Her role? To help these couples bridge the gap from online flirtation to real-life romance.
“I give them a series of activities and challenges, and those push the needle to see if their connections thrive or not,” she said.
Watching the couples interact during these exercises is a front-row seat to their chemistry—or lack thereof. “You can tell who likes who,” she added.
Jones’s approach isn’t just about drama; it’s about discovery. Whether it’s a team-building exercise or a tough conversation, she’s there to facilitate the moments that reveal what’s really at play. And with some couples facing “catfish” vibes right out of the gate, her guidance is more crucial than ever.
The Golden Rule of Online Dating
With her wealth of experience—both on the show and in her own life—I couldn’t resist asking Jones for her top tip on making an online relationship work. Her answer was refreshingly straightforward: “It is mandatory that we meet in person after at least a one-month mark.”
She believes the “talking stage” can last a few weeks over the phone, but if it drags on without a face-to-face meetup, it’s a red flag.
“I’m not going to sit here and talk to you over the phone all these years. That’s insane,” she said, noting that nothing beats in-person chemistry.
More Than Just Entertainment
Beyond the drama and romance, Jones hopes viewers see “The Never Ever Mets” as more than just a guilty pleasure.
“I really hope that people look at this show not for dramatic purposes or entertainment at their own demise, but as an informative lesson,” she shared.
With relationship experts dropping wisdom and challenges designed to foster connection, the show doubles as a crash course in courting.
“It’s funny—when I’m dating and I ask men, ‘What does courting look like to you?’ they don’t know what to say,” she mused. “This show teaches you how to connect. I’ve been using it in my own personal life!”
A Multi-Hyphenate Making Waves
Jones brings her signature energy to “The Never Ever Mets,” but her talents extend far beyond hosting. Best known for her role as Porsha on Fox’s “Empire,” she’s also flexed her skills as an actress, rapper, comedian, fashion designer, and philanthropist. She’s co-hosted “The Real” and “The Steve Harvey Show,” worked red carpets for E! News and the BET Soul Train Awards, and starred in projects across ABC, NBC, Lifetime, and BET. Off-screen, she’s the force behind the S.E.E.D Foundation, empowering artists and entrepreneurs in Chicago’s South and West Sides. Whether she’s designing clothes, dropping rhymes, or guiding lovestruck couples, Jones is proof that creativity knows no limits.
Tune In for Love, Lessons, and a Little Chaos
Season 2 of “The Never Ever Mets” promises to deliver it all: shocking first meetings, hidden secrets, and the raw reality of love in the digital age. With Ta’Rhonda Jones at the helm, viewers are in for a wild ride—and maybe a few life lessons along the way. Watch my full conversation with the star via the clip below.
Tune in to “The Never Ever Mets” on Friday, April 4 at 8pm ET/PT on OWN to find out which couples will thrive—and which will say goodbye for good.
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