The competition is heating up on MasterChef Australia as seven talented home cooks battle it out for the $250,000 prize. As guest judge Marion Grasby kicked off Heat Week on July 12, fans spied a detail about the remaining contestants that has sparked theories that the outcome of the competition has been “orchestrated”.
What’s the detail you may ask? Well, as judge Poh Ling Yeow said herself, Annabel Lloyd is the “last woman standing”.
“Didn’t realise how much of a dudefest this pointy end of the #MasterChefAU competition is this year until I saw the gantry,” one fan wrote on X.
“They eliminated FIVE Women in a ROW!!” another viewer commented in response.
This sentiment was echoed across social media, with many confessing to “only just noticing” that there is “one female left in the top seven”,
This has led to some divisive predictions amongst fans, with some rooting for Annabel and “girl power”, and others hinting that the show has been orchestrated in order for a man to win this year
In response to these theories, Laura Sharrad – 2025 MasterChef Australia winner – denied any possibility that the competition could be rigged, and spoke to WHO about what her experience was like in the infamous MasterChef kitchen.
Former MasterChef winner dismisses claims the show is rigged
While this season started with fewer men than women (10 versus 14), fans have noticed that many more women have been eliminated. Now, Annabel is flying solo amongst the men.
“They are trying so hard this year to have a male winner,” one observant fan wrote on X. “They don’t even try to hide after [Alyona’s] elimination.”
While there’s nothing more juicy than a conspiracy, Sharrad spoke to WHO about why this particular fan theory isn’t possible.
“I can confirm nothing is ever orchestrated,” she said. “That would be way too hard!”
“It’s so funny, I feel that every year it’s always one gender-dominated, but more ammunition for her to dominate, I say! It’s just the luck of the draw, really.”
This rationale was echoed amongst some fans who pushed against the claims the show was rigged.
“Not a gender based thing I think,” one viewer wrote. “We just seem to have a very talented cohort of men this year! Let’s celebrate the calibre of the 2026 contestants for once.”
Fans divided over whether Annabel will make it all the way
After Annabel kicked off Heat Week with a dish that, in her eyes, didn’t quite hit the mark, fans are divided over whether she will make it all the way.
“I’d love Aaron to take it out this year or any of the boys, but I think the judges will give it to Annabel,” one fan commented online, receiving quite a lot of opposing opinions.
“Unfortunately I don’t think she will make it, going to be an all boys show!” another fan wrote on Facebook.
“They are all worthy winners,” one viewer wrote. “However I think it will be one of the boys. Hard to split Casper, Petro, Pat and Vinnie. Aaron has the goods too, and if Luke can keep his focus, a real contender.”
With the Top 5 on the horizon, time will tell if Annabel can push through, despite what fans may or may not believe.
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