I’ve Changed My Mind, I Think The Married At First Sight Experts Matched Ikechi Ojoré & Emem Obot Perfectly (Despite Ikechi’s Problematic Behavior)

I’ve changed my mind about the outcome of Married at First Sight season 18 couple Ikechi Ojoré and Emem Obot. I now think they were matched well even though Ikechi has shown some red flags. Married at First Sight season 18 is showcasing five couples total. They were all matched by the panel of experts, Dr. Pepper Schwartz, Dr. Pia Holec, and Pastor Cal Robinson. MAFS has a notoriously poor success rate, but I think Emem and Ikechi are going to be one of the success stories.

None of the season 18 couples have called it quits yet, which I know is already better than the last few years of seasons where couples split well before their one-month anniversaries. Season 18’s David Trimble and Michelle Tomblin are the couple that seem to have the most disconnect and issues, but even they are persevering through the experience to see if they can get to a place of understanding. Ikechi and Emem started their struggles later, but I’m certain they are back on a good trajectory and will foster a good marriage.

Ikechi & Emem Share The Same Goals & Values

Ikechi and Emem started their Married at First Sight journey on a very engaging playing field. Ikechi, who has been writing letters to his future wife, tugged on Emem’s heart strings at the wedding by detailing his letter work and also performing a song for her. I watched them both share similar deep religious beliefs, and desire to grow together in faith. Emem enjoyed the creative gestures from Ikechi, and was also moved by his commitment to marriage.

During their honeymoon, they found out they aligned on their want for children, with each of them being okay with having one. 41-year-old College Counselor Ikechi is the secondo-ldest cast member this season, and having a child is an early marriage priority for him, as he gets older. 34-year-old Nurse Practicioner Emem has felt like she’s finally in a place in her career and life where she is ready to take those next steps.

Ikechi & Emem Are Attracted To One Another

One of the early positives for Emem and Ikechi was their immediate attraction to one another. They shared a kiss at the altar, and I noticed they were immediately touchy and comfortable with one another. When they met the other couples during the honeymoon, I thought Ikechi and Emem were the most close-looking couple.

I felt like they were very affectionate in a romantic and relationship-building way that far surpassed where the other couples were at with affection.

However, things did change on that intimate level between the pair.

Ikechi Has Displayed Problematic Behavior

The first issue I saw Ikechi and Emem come across was Ikechi being offput by Emem’s direct questions aimed at getting to know him. Ikechi also kept using a phrase that irked Emem as she tried to know him better.

“I don’t know you.”

He called Lifetime‘s Emem “aggressive” on several occasions, including to her friends and family, a word I know upset and hurt Emem. Things further deteriorated along those lines when Emem relayed that off-camera Ikechi raised his voice at her at dinner, and it made her very uncomfortable. After that, Emem said she and Ikechi had not talked.

To that end, they had a cafe sit-down with Dr. Pia, where she tried to get them back on track. Ikechi revealed that what was really bothering him was Emem allegedly trying to touch him sᴇxᴜᴀʟʟʏ when he didn’t want her advances. He wanted to build a more solid understanding of each other before they progressed. However, Emem thought Ikechi was sending mixed messages, as he put her hand on his crotch during the honeymoon. Emem apologized for trying to advance with Ikechi when it was unwanted, and they agreed to forgive each other and move forward with better communication.

Ikechi & Emem Will Grow Stronger Out Of Adversity

When Ikechi and Emem sat down with Dr. Pia to sort out their differences, they were able to come to a middle ground. Ikechi started interaction spicy, but Dr. Pia, with Emem’s desire to resolve the situation, deescalated his attitude.

While I think the Married at First Sight couple’s journey won’t be entirely smooth from here on out, I know they have the experts’ help, and both want to be in a marriage with one another, which will help them progress more positively.