**Spoilers ahead.
When Nelly Patel walked down the aisle on Married At First Sight UK, she did more than say “I do” to a stranger, she handed herself the ultimate crash course in self-discovery, heartbreak, and unapologetic self-worth. From cultural expectations to confronting unconscious bias, navigating red flags, and reclaiming her voice after a manipulative relationship, Nelly’s journey has been as instructive as it has been dramatic. With the reunion episode (aired on Friday 14th November) having the internet in a chokehold, I sat down with Nelly to hear the unfiltered truth, what the cameras didn’t show, the lessons that hit hardest, and why she’s now stronger, bolder, and utterly unstoppable.
Finding Confidence in Chaos
Looking back, Nelly doesn’t regret marrying a stranger – Steven, her MAFS partner, despite the romance going spectacularly sideways.
“I thought maybe I’d hit the jackpot at the wedding and honeymoon,” she laughs, “but spoiler alert, that didn’t happen. And that’s fine. I’d still do it all again because the confidence and self-worth I gained? Absolutely priceless.”
Her time on the show taught her to trust her gut, confront red flags head-on, and recognise her own worth in ways she never had before. “I felt strong and unstoppable after it all. Nothing really bothers me now,” she says, beaming with that self-assured glow you can only get from surviving televised romance chaos.
Culture, Attraction, and Setting Boundaries
As a proud South Asian woman, Nelly wanted her culture to be celebrated, not sidelined.
“I really hoped he’d accept my heritage and embrace my culture,” she admits, reflecting on her jitters at the altar. And while initial attraction mattered, Stephen was, in her words, “tall and fabulous”, it was personality, or the glaring lack of it, that ultimately shaped her experience.
Red flags appeared fast, especially when Steven crossed lines she wouldn’t tolerate. “He called me a fucking idiot and raised his voice,” she recalls. “I wanted to walk out, but at that moment, I didn’t have the confidence. Still, I learned how dangerous it is to put someone else’s feelings above your own, and I’ll never make that mistake again.”
The Reality Behind the Reality TV.
The honeymoon bubble didn’t last. Nelly noticed subtle shifts in Steven’s behaviour and arguments that shook her confidence.
“The lack of intimacy from Steven was the first thing that made me question if he genuinely wanted this to work,” she says. “It wasn’t just physical, it was emotional too. That connection simply wasn’t there.”
What viewers saw barely scratched the surface. “I was constantly trying to understand him, begging for clarity, using my empathy to make it work,” she explains. “But what people didn’t see were the screenshots, the truth bombs, the gaslighting… him making me believe he was committed, then sleeping with his ex. It was a lot to process.”
Then came the Hinge revelation. “Finding out he was still on Hinge felt like a punch to the gut. It made me question everything, his honesty, his intentions, even my own judgment. But it was a turning point. I had to set boundaries and, most importantly, trust myself above anyone else’s narrative.”
The tension didn’t stop there. Nelly clashed off camera with Julia Ruth. “Julia’s behaviour with Steven was… confusing, emotional, and exhausting. It made me examine what I’d accept and what I wouldn’t. She isn’t exactly a girl’s girl, so I shouldn’t have been surprised,” she laughs.
Despite the chaos, Nelly credits the show’s experts for helping her regain perspective. “Paul Brunson literally shouted at me, saying I’d lost my voice. That was my wake-up call. I realised I couldn’t let history repeat itself. I had to reclaim my power.”
From Gaslighting to Social Media Outings
One of the most dramatic moments? Nelly calling out Steven on social media after discovering his ex.
“It wasn’t revenge, it was me taking back my power,” she explains. “I’d spent too long questioning myself and trying to make it work. This was me saying: ‘No more.’ I had to be unapologetically honest about what I experienced, for myself and anyone else who’s faced manipulation.”
Lessons in Love and Self-Worth
Nelly’s approach to relationships has evolved. Emotional safety is now non-negotiable.
“I want a partner who lets me be myself, to open up without walking on eggshells,” she says firmly. And while she’s still single, she’s unapologetically thriving. “I don’t even care if someone doesn’t come along tomorrow. I’m fabulous as I am.”
Her story resonates far beyond reality TV. She’s received countless messages from women inspired to leave toxic relationships and reclaim their confidence.
“Helping women recognise their worth, especially women of colour, feels priceless,” she shares. “I want to use my platform to empower women and create a space for all backgrounds to open up and support each other.”
What’s Next for Nelly?
Professionally, Nelly is focusing on dentistry while dreaming of creating a safe platform for women of all backgrounds. Personally, she’s enjoying life, unapologetically herself, and staying open to love, but on her own terms. “I’m not looking for it, but I’m ready when the right man comes along,” she smiles.
Final Thoughts
Nelly Patel’s journey on Married At First Sight wasn’t just about finding love, it was about finding herself. From heartbreak and public scrutiny to reclaiming her voice and embracing her culture, Nelly’s story is a masterclass in resilience, self-respect, and unapologetic empowerment. And as she puts it, “I think I’m the shit now, and I’m finally allowed to enjoy it.”
Editor-in-chief: Sonia Ullah
Outfits: Nikaza Asian Couture
Jewellery: Maala London
Creative Director: Manni Sahota
Fashion Editor & Styling: Vikas Rattu
Makeup: Kashni Suri
Hair: Gini Bhogal assisted by Manish Kumar
Henna: KV Mendhi
Photography: Gagan Dhaliwal
Video: Dom Jarvis
Venue: Ashridge House
