Content Warning: This article about MAFS expert Mel Schilling discusses sexual assault, and rape. If you or someone you know are affected by the following story, you are not alone. To speak to someone, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14, or 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
Mel Schilling, who appeared as a relationship expert on the first seven seasons of Australian MAFS, has revealed that she received death threats, rape threats and savage online bullying after appearing on the reality TV show.
Schilling reflected on a petition that was started against her, calling for her to be sacked from the show for reprimanding a participant for calling Ines Basic the c-word in season six.
“I have received death threats, rape threats, and it wasn‘t just online,” Schilling told the Herald Sun.
“I was accused of inciting domestic violence which is something I am passionately opposed to.
“Every day I go through my Instagram and delete all the hate messages; it’s just become a way of life now.
“The hate mainly comes from Australian audiences who are very critical about what I do on the show.”
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Before starring in Married at First Sight Australia, and continuing to star in the UK version of the show, Schilling worked as a psychologist. Schilling revealed that she grew complacent in her previous role, and studied with Melbourne-based life coach and Fire Up Coaching founder Kathy McKenzie to learn reliance coaching skills to tie her psychology knowledge together with TV work.
“Resilience coaching isn’t about giving them all the answers, it’s about asking powerful questions enabling them to find the answers which is far more empowering,’’ she said.
“We help them visualise the big picture, every little thing from what they want and have, to their stress triggers and we give them the tools to cope and get through what they are dealing with by breaking it down to smaller, bite-sized problems, focusing on what they can control and what they can influence.”
Schilling has appeared on all nine seasons of the show since its inception and is joined by fellow relationship gurus John Aiken and Alessandra Rampolla.
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