We need a Stella and Filip update, immediately.
MAFS Australia season 13 had us ready to delete dating apps and embrace celibacy, honestly. But amid the chaos of Brook and Chris, the lows of Juliette and Joel, and the loaded comments from Sam and Chris, one MAFS couple has kept us (somewhat) sane.
Stella and Filip have been the true bright spot, the calm in the storm that is MAFS Australia 2026. Sure, they’ve had their fair share of naysayers (cough Gia and Scott), but they’ve stayed focused on what actually matters: each other. And yes, they are very much the prize.
The pair hit it off instantly, both emotionally and physically, and their connection has only deepened as the experiment has gone on. Here’s everything you need to know about Stella and Filip, and whether season 13’s golden couple is still going strong.
Did Stella and Filip hit it off from the start?
When Stella practically skipped down the aisle, Filip was instantly impressed. Big on health and fitness, he took one look at Stella and felt she clearly shared that lifestyle. The two quickly bonded over their immigrant backgrounds, too. Stella moved to Australia from Lithuania at 23, while Filip’s family relocated from Croatia when he was just one year old.
Not everything went smoothly, though. Stella’s loved ones weren’t thrilled when Filip mentioned his YouTube business in his vows. Despite him framing it as a genuine passion, they worried he might be on the show for the wrong reasons, namely, to promote his platform.
Another awkward moment came when Stella’s friend encouraged a Lithuanian wedding tradition involving a celebratory shot. Filip declined due to his sobriety, which some of her friends took as rude, despite his explaining that his decision came from a place of self-improvement. Stella, however, had no issue with it and happily took the shot herself.
Still, these were minor bumps. The pair went on to have a strong honeymoon, complete with plenty of chemistry, and even some playful bath-time moments, proving their connection was more than just first impressions.
How did Stella and Filip's relationship grow?
Throughout the weeks and challenges, the pair only seemed to grow closer. Their physical chemistry was undeniable, and Stella’s request for a near-nude painting session during her fantasy night was well received — by Filip and viewers alike.
In the green and red flags task, Stella declared she had no red flags for Filip, a comment that clearly ruffled feathers among the other brides, particularly Brook and Gia. At the commitment ceremony, the couple shared their highs with the experts, but the moment sparked an explosive exchange between several of the women. The tension spilled over into the following dinner party, where Filip remained firmly supportive of his wife amid the fallout.
Behind the scenes, they were also putting in the effort. Stella later revealed that the pair would wake early to spend time together before filming, carving out a few uninterrupted hours each morning just to talk and stay connected.
There was one sticking point when they couldn’t initially agree on contraception or who would relocate after the experiment, but with guidance from the experts, they were able to work through it.
Aussie spoilers for Stella and Filip
As you know, MAFS Australia is released earlier in Australia, so they're ahead of us in the drama. Warning spoilers ahead that haven't aired in the UK.
Going into the final vows, Stella said she felt no anxiety at all, explaining: “I know what we have is extremely beautiful, rare, real, magical.” She went first, and her speech was nothing short of glowing.
“Dearest Filip, when I stood before you on our wedding day, there was an instant spark, a pull, a sense of home that I couldn’t — and didn’t want to — resist,” Stella said. “Our chemistry was undeniable, and from the moment I saw you, it effortlessly grew into something deeper. We became inseparable, not because we had to, but because it felt impossible to be apart.”
“I promise to keep choosing you every day, to meet your strength with softness, your ambition with encouragement, and to keep laughing with you, learning from you, and loving you in all your forms,” she continued. “You are my partner, my safe space, my adventure, and my greatest gift. I came here to look for love, and what I found was far more profound. I found home in you, and I cannot wait to build the rest of my life with you. I love you.”
Then it was Filip’s turn — and thankfully, he didn’t keep us waiting with any hesitation.
“The moment I turned around on our wedding day and saw those piercing blue eyes, that smile, those tiny shaking hands, I knew my life was about to change,” he said. “Through every struggle we’ve ever encountered, we have communicated, we have listened, and we have worked together. Ultimately, every challenge has only made us stronger.”
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Then, as Filip reached into his jacket pocket, he added: “Stella, I love you more than I ever thought possible, and I have never felt more certain of anything. I know what my heart wants — something just for us, something that is truly ours.”
And just like that, the couple both chose to stay together, giving us one final hit of romance, and, frankly, making us consider downloading a few free dating apps ourselves.
Are Stella and Filip still together after MAFS?
Thankfully, Stella and Filip are still going strong. While the show was airing in Australia, they had to keep their relationship under wraps, but following the final vows airing on April 7, they finally went public with a joint Instagram carousel featuring photos from their engagement shoot.
“The best kept secret is finally out 🤍 And honestly? It was surprisingly easy not to share it straight away,” they wrote in a caption. “We got to sit in our little love bubble, just us — no noise, no pressure — while building our new life in Sydney, quietly and intentionally. Like everything in life- nothing is given & everything that is worth something … well you have to work for it. So glad we did.”
Stella has since shared further glimpses into their life together, including reassurances that Filip folds his laundry — as if we had any doubt. Brb, signing up for Married at First Sight.
Watch Married at First Sight Australia on Channel 4.
