Amy Kenyon credits late Mel Schilling for confidence on Celebrity Ex on the Beach
The late Mel Schilling gave her Married at First Sight UK co-star Amy Kenyon some vital dating and relationship advice, which the star has acted on in Celebrity Ex on the Beach.
Married at First Sight UK's Mel Schilling made co-star Amy Kenyon feel confident for Celebrity Ex on the Beach.
Amy, 29, felt empowered to know her worth and to demand respect in relationships whilst on the Paramount+ show after a pep talk from psychologist-and-dating coach Mel - who died from colon cancer on March 24 aged 54.
Amy exclusively told BANG Showbiz at the Celebrity Ex on the Beach series four launch event in London on March 26: "She made me feel confident. Throughout the experience on MAFS, she gave me so much advice.
"I feel like Mel was a girl’s girl. She really supported the women, and I’m the sort of person who knows exactly what I want; I know the way I should be treated. I don't want to be disrespected by a man.
"And she saw that I thought I was being too aggressive with the way I was coming across, and by standing my ground, I thought it was rude, but she said to me, 'Know your worth. Men shouldn’t speak to you like that.'"
Mel - who is survived by her husband, Gareth, and their 10-year-old daughter Maddie - left a lasting impression on Amy.
Asked for her best memories of the dating expert, Amy said: "How feisty she could get. She would literally fight for girls; she was absolutely insane.
"She was the absolute queen. Mel's gone too soon; it’s a tragedy."
On Married at First Sight 2024, Amy wed Luke Debono but dumped him at the vow renewal - dressed in funeral attire - saying he was not "worthy of me" and that the "marriage is done, dead, deceased" after he made some shocking comments.
That experience enabled Amy to become a stronger dater and to stand up for herself on Celebrity Ex on the Beach - which sees famous faces travel to Tenerife to meet potential lovers, only to also come face-to-face with their former partners.
She explained: "My experience on MAFS opened my eyes and made me realise to be more vulnerable, put my cards on the table more, and have a little bit more empathy and confidence in myself.
"I always used to let people walk all over me, but I feel like I was a little bit feisty this time round."
Like Married at First Sight UK, Amy has a "good feeling" about finding love on Celebrity Ex on the Beach.
The show also stars Coronation Street alum Helen Flanagan, 35, Jedward's John Grimes, 34, The Only Way is Essex cast member Dani Imbert, 27, Love Island's Toby Aromolaran, 27, The Challenge alum Izzy Fairthorne, 26, Love Is Blind UK star Freddie Powell, 34, and Too Hot to Handle's Chase DeMoor, 29.
Amy said: "With MAFS, I was being put with somebody, whereas with Celebrity Ex on the Beach, I was open to explore as many people as I want - you've got the pick of all these sexy men."
The star typically avoids charming men, but Amy is willing to make an exception.
She shared: "I do tend to steer away from men that I think are going to be hot boys. It does put me off because I do attract men who like to have the pick of all the different women.
"I think that’s why I’m very arrogant with men. I’ve got very high orders."
Celebrity Ex on the Beach Series 4 launched in the UK on Paramount+ on Tuesday, March 31.
