Jules Robinson Reflects on Mel Schilling's Enduring Influence
Jules Robinson has shared heartfelt reflections on the lasting impact of Mel Schilling, three weeks after the Married At First Sight relationship expert's tragic death at age 54. Mel passed away last month, just days after revealing her cancer had spread to her brain.
Speaking exclusively to the Daily Mail, Jules, 44, who found love with husband Cam Merchant on season six of the Nine Network series, confessed that Mel's death "doesn't feel real." The reality star revealed she and Cam, 42, had developed a genuine friendship with Schilling that extended beyond their television experience.
A Mentor and Friend Remembered
"Even last night, I was speaking at an event and I went into the bathroom, and I stood there with my Wonder Woman pose, and that was something that Mel taught me," Jules explained, highlighting how Schilling's guidance continues to influence her daily life.
"We were friends, and we would always catch up and go out for lunch, and we'd talk about work, so she was a mentor to me in that way of helping me with my speaking and you know how to step into my confidence because it's not my natural environment."
Jules elaborated on Schilling's unique qualities: "She had such a way of making people feel seen, supported, and without judgment but being very stern in what she thought was right or wrong."
Plans to Celebrate a Life
The MAFS alum revealed there are plans for her and Cam to meet with members of Mel's family in Melbourne to properly celebrate her life. "I look forward to celebrating her life in Melbourne soon with her family, and it doesn't feel real for me, still. It just doesn't at all," she said emotionally.
"She was really super special. I think if I could have any of the traits that she had – I could only hope that I do – which is to show up with honesty and caring, really."
No Plans to Replace Experts
Following her MAFS experience, Jules has developed what she calls an "accidental modern-day agony aunt role" through her social media presence and 2024 book Ask Jules. When asked if she could see herself replacing Schilling alongside experts John Aitken and Alessandra Rampolla, Jules was definitive.
"No, I don't think I could," she stated, though she didn't entirely rule out a return to the reality juggernaut. "I think I could do something on Stan, you know, the After The Dinner Party show – and be the voice of the people and what everyone at home is thinking."
Jules emphasized the unseen work of MAFS experts: "No, because that's what people don't see on TV. When you're sitting at that ceremony to two o'clock in the morning, if you've got a problem, those experts individually will give you an absolute couch to couch therapy session."
Entrepreneurial Success and Body Positivity
Beyond television, Jules has built a successful entrepreneurial career while juggling parenthood with Cam and their two sons – Oliver, five, and Carter, one. Her shapewear brand FIGUR has become particularly successful with its empowering message for women of all shapes and sizes.
The brand recently launched its Reshaping The Expectation campaign, calling for "real women" ambassadors. Jules reported the response has been "overwhelming."
"From inception, I've always, always done that. I've always asked the public to be my models," she explained. "With the whole Reshaping The Expectation campaign, that's along the lines of, for so long, women have been told to fit a certain mould, look a certain way, dress a certain way and show up in a certain way."
"So, Reshaping the Expectation is just really flipping that and just having women share their differences and who they are. I think that so many campaigns for so long have just been kind of one version of beauty and that's never really reflected the majority of women, so FIGUR was definitely built on changing that narrative and celebrating different shapes, sizes, ages, stories, and backgrounds."
MAFS Legacy and Advice for New Couples
Jules made MAFS history when Cam proposed during final vows – a feat not replicated until this year when Filip Gregov proposed to Stella Mickunaite. Though she admits recent seasons can be a "hard watch," Jules confessed she hasn't missed an episode of the current season.
"Thank God, we had some true love in there," she said of Stella and Filip's engagement. "Watching them get engaged, you can see that there was no one else around them, but it was just a beautiful moment. I'm super happy for them and also glad that MAFS has got a few successful couples now."
When asked what advice she and Cam would offer the new couple, Jules emphasized authenticity: "I think they very much know who they are, and I think that's very important when they've now come into this situation where they're going to be offered lots of things. It's about staying true to who you are and I think that's what Cam and I have always done, is just be ourselves. But, I'm super happy for them and I can't wait to meet them."
