MAFS bride Stella Mickunaite reveals bold new arm tattoo and which savage slur from the show was the inspiration behind it

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Stella Mickunaite, who appeared on Married At First Sight, has shared a heartfelt and revealing message about her experience on the show.

The 32-year-old beauty technician, who fell in love with Filip Gregov on the show, recently got a tattoo to remember her time on the series. The tattoo itself has a clear and meaningful message.

Stella revealed a new tattoo on her arm at the Daily Mail MAFS finale party on Sunday.

The phrase ‘NBL 2026 13’ represents her experience on the show and her powerful decision to take ownership of a previously hurtful word used against her.

She explained that she’d made a bet with herself: if the venture succeeded, she would get the number 13 tattooed on her body.

‘I didn’t realise how successful it was going to be, so number 13 symbolises that initial thought.’

But it’s the meaning behind ‘NBL’ that has truly raised eyebrows. 

Stella explained the phrase originally came from a shocking slur during filming.

During the season, and in extra footage available on Stan, someone from the cast referred to our group as ‘NBLs,’ which stood for ‘natural born losers,’ as we likely all noticed.

Rather than shy away from the insult, Stella has turned it into a badge of honour.

She explained the tattoo is meant to help people feel empowered, and she’s giving it a new name: Natural Born Legends.

This is a strong reaction to the dramatic conflicts between the brides, which were a major part of the season, especially during intense dinners and team activities.

Although Stella had a successful season overall, she faced many challenges along the way.

During the show, she often found herself caught in the middle of arguments between some of the most vocal brides, like Gia Fleur, Bec Zacharia, and Brook Crompton.

The show featured rising conflict surrounding trust, truthfulness, and how people related to each other. Stella was sometimes criticized for being too direct and saying whatever was on her mind.

A particularly awkward moment occurred when she publicly called out another bride, shocking everyone at the table and solidifying her image as someone who always says what’s on her mind.

Even though things were often chaotic, Stella mostly avoided getting into loud arguments. She preferred to stay calm and thoughtful, which helped her gain a dedicated following.

Stella explained that the tattoo isn’t just about the attention it’s getting; it’s a symbol of overcoming challenges and personal development.

‘You can’t engineer the situations that do occur in reality TV,’ she said.

Consider this a valuable lesson, or a story worth sharing—it’s certainly one for the future.

She added that she hopes her story inspires others who have faced bullying or rejection.

She said that none of it would matter once he was older and able to pursue his own path.

The bride, originally from Lithuania and now living in Australia, also shared what makes her feel confident.

‘I think just knowing that I have my back,’ she said.

Growing up, I quickly realized I needed to be self-reliant. I learned to prioritize my own inner strength and judgment rather than depending on others.

‘As long as my inside house is clean and full of light, I’ll be fine.’

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2026-04-14 10:02