MAFS bride Stella Mickunaite’s major fears for Channel 9 show after Mel Schilling’s death

The relationship expert passed away in March and now there are concerns the program won’t be the same without her.

MAFS bride Stella’s major fears for Channel 9 show’s future after Mel Schilling’s death. Source: Channel 9/Mel Schilling

One of the Married At First Sightbrides holds grave concerns for the future of the Channel 9 show following the sad death of expert Mel Schilling.

A poll of nearly 3,000 Yahoo Lifestyle readers found only 57 per cent are planning on tuning into the 2027 season after an incredibly turbulent instalment this year.

Filip Gregov and Stella Mickunaite were this year’s only success story as they’re now engaged in real life.

But Stella doesn’t think the program will be the same next year.

“Whatever is going to come after this, [the show] is probably not going to be driven for people to find love. It’s probably going to be driven by clicks and rage bait,” she told Mamamia.

“I feel like Mel’s absence will completely flip it on its head.”

The 32-year-old beauty technician said one of the bittersweet parts of watching the season back was seeing the moments she shared with Mel and how the relationship expert helped her follow her heart.

Mel died in March after a years-long battle with cancer at only 53.

The expert was praised for bringing an incredible warmth and energy to the show, and was able to always find the right words for the couples.

But Stella is worried that with Mel gone, MAFS will lose its “authenticity, purity, and soul”.

“We’re feeding the clickbait. It just seems like it’s going there, unfortunately,” she said.

She added that the show already felt like it was teetering on the edge, saying there was a lot of “fakeness” and nothing was said in private if it could create a moment of good television.

Yahoo Lifestyle has contacted Channel 9 for comment.

Channel 9’s touching tribute to Mel Schilling

Following the end of the dramatic reunion episode on Monday, Channel 9 took a moment to honour Mel, featuring a speech from the mother from a previous season.

“Yes, this experiment is about finding love, but there’s also another very important stream that runs through [it],” she said.

“It is about personal development. It is about finding your worth. It is about learning to find your voice and to start really believing that you deserve love.”

The tribute featured another clip of her speaking to a bride from an earlier season saying it’s okay to be focused on your career rather than your love life in your 30s.

Mel shared that she found her partner at 39 and had her baby at 42.

Viewers also got to see a series of Mel being excited from all the positive twists and turns from the Channel 9 show.

It ended with another speech from Mel.

“Thank you so much for your time in this experiment, for your courage, your authenticity. We salute you and wish you all the best and all the happiness in the world,” she said.

Channel 9 echoed this parting comment and thanked Mel for her time, her courage, and her authenticity.

“You will be missed,” the network said.