Since stepping onto the scene as one of this year’s MasterChef Australia judges, Melissa Leong has been the subject of nasty rumours and cruel memes.
And while most would have buckled under the intense pressure that comes with being in the spotlight while working on a stressful cooking series, the chef has managed to take the criticism in her stride.
So, what’s the recipe to successfully ignoring the persistent stream of backlash? Melissa says she learnt to accept the fact she’ll never be “universally loved”.
“When you can accept that, you can just focus on being the best version of yourself,” the cookbook author told TV Week. “My strategy for being in this very public space is just to focus on what I do well.
“Be grateful for the positive aspects of what happens and just own who I am.”
Her poignant message comes days after eliminated contestant Harry Foster went into bat for Melissa, squashing rumours she’s “bias” and “rude”.
“This could not be further from the truth. She’s a queen and I love her,” he told HuffPost Australia.”She is energetic, passionate and really just vibrant. You can feel the energy. It’s sort of like, she glows in a sense. It’s really refreshing to see that.”
His comments were in stark contrast to what an on-set spy recently revealed to New Idea. Last week, the outlet reported that tension between the trio of judges, Melissa, Andy Allen and Jock Zonfrillo recently bubbled over and resulted in a nasty off-air fight.
“Don’t be fooled by the calm and collected judges and the smiling and supportive contestants,” the insider told New Idea. “It’s up there with Married at First Sight for jaw-dropping antics.”
The source claimed the 40-year-old food critic has been embroiled in multiple controversies behind the scenes, adding her “ego is out of control”.
“Jock and Andy try not to engage with her when cameras aren’t rolling,” the source added. “That isn’t hard as she spends most of her time in her dressing room working on her blog and social media, which frustrates producers who just want her to focus on the task she’s been paid to do.”
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