Married At First Sight contestant Stella Mickunaite has revealed a deeply personal and symbolic tattoo that commemorates her turbulent journey on the popular reality television show. The 32-year-old beauty technician, who found lasting love with groom Filip Gregov during the social experiment, debuted the bold new ink at the Daily Mail MAFS Final Dinner party on Sunday, showcasing it on the back of her arm.
A Tattoo with Dual Meaning
The tattoo reads 'NBL 2026 13', combining two significant elements from Stella's experience. The number 13 represents a personal promise she made to herself before filming began. "I said to myself if it's going to be successful, I'm getting a number 13 tattooed on my body," Stella explained. "I didn't realise how successful it was going to be, so number 13 symbolises that initial thought."
Reclaiming a Painful Insult
However, it is the 'NBL' portion that carries the most powerful and provocative meaning. Stella revealed that during filming, unseen footage on streaming platform Stan captured a cast member referring to her table as "the NBLs," which stood for "natural born losers" at the time. Rather than allowing this derogatory label to define her, Stella has transformed it into a badge of honour through her permanent body art.
"The tattoo is actually to reclaim your power and I am rebranding it to Natural Born Legends," she declared. This defiant reclamation serves as a direct response to the explosive clashes between brides that dominated much of the season, particularly during heated dinner parties and challenging group activities.
A Journey Through Reality TV Turbulence
While Stella ultimately emerged as one of the season's success stories, finding genuine connection with Filip Gregov, her path was far from smooth. Throughout the experiment, she found herself repeatedly caught in the crossfire of intense feuds involving some of the show's most outspoken brides, including Gia Fleur, Bec Zacharia and Brook Crompton.
Viewers witnessed tensions erupt over loyalty, honesty and complex relationship dynamics, with Stella occasionally facing criticism for her blunt and unfiltered communication style. One particularly memorable moment saw her confront a fellow bride directly in front of the entire group, leaving the table in stunned silence and cementing her reputation as someone unafraid to speak her mind with conviction.
Maintaining Composure Amid Chaos
Despite the surrounding drama and frequent confrontations, Stella largely refused to engage in screaming matches or emotional outbursts. Instead, she consistently opted for a calmer, more measured approach that ultimately won her a loyal fan base who appreciated her authenticity and emotional maturity.
A Broader Message of Resilience
Beyond the specific reality television context, Stella emphasized that her tattoo represents a much larger message about personal growth and resilience in the face of adversity. "You can't engineer the situations that do occur in reality TV," she reflected. "You can take it as a lesson, you can take it as a legend to tell, and this is definitely a legend to tell in the future."
The Lithuanian-born bride, who moved to Australia earlier in her life, expressed hope that her story might inspire others who have faced bullying, rejection or derogatory labels. "It doesn't matter, because when you grow up and spread your wings, none of that matters," she offered as encouraging wisdom.
The Source of Inner Strength
When asked about the origins of her remarkable confidence and self-assurance, Stella pointed to her internal foundation. "I think just knowing that I have my back," she revealed. "I had to learn at a young age to always have my back. Instead of focusing on the outside, I always focused on the inside."
She elaborated with a powerful metaphor: "As long as my inside house is clean and full of light, I'll be fine." This philosophy clearly guided her through the challenging dynamics of Married At First Sight, allowing her to emerge with both a successful relationship and a powerful personal statement permanently inked on her skin.
