Matching tattoos have long been a cliché in modern tattoo culture: for some, they are the ultimate act of trust, for others, a sure way to attract a swift breakup. Gia and Scott, participants in the 13th season of the Australian reality show “Married at First Sight” (MAFS), learned firsthand about the fragility of romantic vows etched in ink. Just a few months after filming wrapped, as the on-screen passions subsided and reality set in, both stars rushed to tattoo parlors to erase reminders of each other with striking cover-ups.
The Symbolism of One: How “13” Became a Fatal Number
The story of their shared tattoo began at the peak of their romantic fervor. Celebrating their first anniversary (just one month into the experiment), the couple decided on a bold gesture. Gia and Scott got identical designs: the outline of a heart, inside which was the number 13 – a direct reference to the season number of the show that brought them together. In the tattoo community, such works are called “impulsive tattoos,” and they are most often found on cover-up lists. As time showed, the number 13 in this case lived up to its reputation as an unlucky number.
Gia: From a Heart to a Playful Rabbit
Gia was the first to announce her body transformation. At the end of April 2026, she presented the results of the work by artists from Village Tattoo Melbourne to her fans. In place of the old heart, an elegant rabbit now adorns her skin. According to the star herself, this choice was not accidental. “My past is gone. The new design is a cute and sweet reminder to stay curious and playful. Plus, it’s a little nod to my Playboy past,” Gia shared in a video for New Idea. From a tattoo analysis perspective, choosing a rabbit as a symbol of rebirth is extremely successful: in mythology, this animal is often associated with renewal, fertility, and the ability to adapt quickly to change.
Interestingly, the bitter experience did not deter the young woman from her desire for romantic tattoos. Just three months into her relationship with a new partner – “Love Triangle” star Alan Wallace – the couple exchanged names on their skin. Gia has now moved to the Gold Coast with her daughter Villa to be with Alan, definitively closing the chapter of her life connected to Scott.
Scott: An Eagle as a Manifesto of Freedom
Scott also did not stay away from the trend of “cleansing” the skin. He chose a more masculine and classic approach to cover-up. Instead of a small heart, a majestic eagle now soars on his body. In his TikTok account, Scott explained the philosophy behind the new design: “The eagle symbolizes something important to me. I chose it as a symbol of freedom, of living on my own terms, and of not being controlled.” In tattoo culture, the eagle is an archetype of power, spiritual elevation, and independence. Choosing such a design after a painful breakup and public scandals looks like an attempt to restore personal boundaries.
Reasons for Discord: When a $1.9 Million Home Isn’t Enough
Although viewers in some countries are still watching the conflict unfold on screen, Australian tabloids have long revealed the reasons for this couple’s downfall. The point of no return was the “home visits” week. Gia, upon visiting Scott’s $1.9 million coastal mansion, did not hide her disappointment. She called the house too small, dirty, and completely unsuitable for her lifestyle. Scott, in turn, was deeply hurt by such bluntness, noting that he would never have dared to criticize someone else’s home. This domestic conflict exposed a deep social and value gap between the spouses, which even matching tattoos could not bridge.
Expert Opinion: Why Cover-Ups Are Psychological Therapy
In the modern tattoo industry, the procedure of covering up old works (cover-up) has long gone beyond simply correcting aesthetic flaws. It is a powerful tool for psychological release. When a person covers up a tattoo associated with a former partner, they are performing a ritual of alienation.
Key aspects of a professional cover-up in such cases:
- Dense Fill: To completely hide the old lines (especially black text or numbers), rich pigments and detailed work on the new design are required.
- Style Change: Clients often choose a radically different style to visually distance themselves from the old image.
- New Meanings: As we see from the stars’ examples, the choice of an “eagle” or a “rabbit” is a manifestation of their current state of mind.
Gia and Scott have clearly demonstrated that even the most “eternal” commitments can be corrected in a tattoo artist’s chair. However, their story also serves as a reminder: before getting matching tattoos, it’s worth making sure your partner values your home as much as your shared ink.