Married At First Sight couple Filip Gregov and Stella Mickunaite have shared an emotional and heartfelt tribute to the late relationship expert Mel Schilling, revealing the profound and lasting impact she had on their relationship both during filming and in their personal lives off screen. The pair expressed they were 'absolutely devastated' by her tragic death, after the beloved expert passed away in London at the age of 54 following a long and courageous battle with cancer.
Struggling with Grief and Loss
The couple spoke directly to Mel's family as they struggled to process the immense loss, highlighting the deep connection they felt with her guidance. Despite being perceived as one of the strongest couples for much of the season, significant cracks began to emerge when Stella pushed for Filip to move interstate from Melbourne to Sydney, creating tension and uncertainty.
Navigating Personal Disagreements
The pair also faced deeply personal and emotional disagreements around intimacy and contraception, with emotions running exceptionally high during a crucial commitment ceremony that tested their bond. According to Filip, it was Mel's expert guidance on the couch that helped them navigate this intense pressure and find a path forward.
'Mel Schilling was instrumental in helping Stella through it and told her, "Hey, focus on the emotional maturity you have with Filip that you've never had in the past,"' he told 9Entertainment. 'We really listened on that couch session and we were better for it because we had to have a chat about all that stuff.'
Real-World Worries vs. Drama
Filip emphasised that while other couples on the show were arguing about trivial high school drama, he and Stella were worried about real-world issues that required mature handling. He also admitted that the pressure to say 'I love you' created a damaging cycle of emotional withdrawal between them, exacerbating their struggles.
'She withdrew because she has abandonment issues and then when she started withdrawing, I started withdrawing. It was just this perfect storm,' he explained. 'I hadn't said "I love you" to someone in six years… I just needed some time to figure out what was going on.'
Mel's Private Battle with Illness
While their relationship struggles played out months ago during filming, Mel had been privately battling her illness behind the scenes, showing immense strength and resilience. Diagnosed with colon cancer in 2023, she underwent chemotherapy while filming MAFS UK before later revealing the disease had spread to her lungs and then her brain.
A Heartbreaking Announcement
In a heartbreaking post earlier this year, she told fans there was 'nothing further they can do,' indicating the severity of her condition. Mel's husband Gareth announced on Tuesday that the dating expert had died just days after revealing her cancer had spread to her brain, leaving the entertainment community in mourning.
In a lengthy and poignant statement, he spoke of her deep love for him and their daughter Madison, painting a picture of a devoted family woman beyond her television persona. Mel helmed the expert panel of the Australian franchise for 12 seasons and also appeared in five series of the UK version on Channel 4, earning widespread respect and admiration.
Stepping Back for Family and Health
She had announced she would be stepping back from filming earlier this year, in order to prioritise her family and health, a decision that now resonates with profound sadness. The tribute from Filip and Stella underscores how Mel's wisdom transcended the screen, offering genuine support that helped shape their relationship during challenging times.
