It seems MasterChef Australia fans have gotten worse with “online trolling” this year, as the same complaints around “unfair” screen time have resurfaced yet again, this time targeting a different contestant. Amid grumblings around certain contestants not getting the same coverage on the show as others, fans have decided that one star contestant, Grace King, is the “favourite” of producers this season, purely because she seems to be getting more airtime than others.
After securing safety from the elimination round on Monday, May 10, Grace stood on the balcony, cheering on the other contestants.
However, viewers did not see it this way.
Instead, Grace has been dubbed the new Laura Sharrad — the 2025 MasterChef Australia winner — who also copped backlash last year for merely getting screen time that she couldn’t control.
Laura spoke exclusively to WHO about the backlash, the advice she would give to contestants like Grace, and just how much the “online trolling” is getting increasingly “insane” for a wholesome show like MasterChef.
Fans outraged by Grace’s ‘insanely heavy edit’
Fans haven’t been subtle about their comparison of Grace and Laura.
“Every year there is someone who gets more exposure than everyone else,” one fan wrote online. “Like Laura last year. This year it’s Grace. Even when she’s not cooking they still show her. Not something she has control over, but people don’t like it.”
“Is Grace just winning this season or what?” another fan wrote in reply. “She gets such an insanely heavy edit in almost any episode. She gets several interviews in rounds where her dish doesn’t get tasted.”
“She’s getting the Laura Sharrad edit it seems,” another viewer agreed.
However, there are some fans rallying behind the young contestant, blaming the producers instead.
“Okay producers, why are you giving Grace an interview in an episode she isn’t cooking in?” one questioned. “It’s like you want people to hate her.”
“Guys, I love you but the Grace comments are a bit much,” one viewer commented in response to the negative commentary.
“It’s the editing and producing of the show, it’s not Grace! Be loving and kind to the contestants.”
Laura Sharrad’s advice to MasterChef contestants receiving hate
Laura Sharrad reflected on her own personal experience of “online trolling” last year, offering advice to Grace and any other contestant who may be receiving negative comments.
“I feel like it’s definitely tougher as a first-timer going through it, because you’re not really prepared for that side of things to happen when the show does start airing,” Laura told WHO.
“Most of the time the show is pretty much wrapped up filming by the time it is on air so you can’t go back and change how you behave.”
“But, I’ve been a big believer in not reading the comments. Just let it roll because as soon as the show finishes, those trolls disappear and they move on to the next show, and they just find a problem with someone else.”
Laura’s message to contestants is to “ignore” the negativity and believe in their talent.
“I’m very much like, don’t reply, ignore,” she told WHO.
“And, I’m also like, yeah, prove them wrong! You’re meant to be there for a reason. And production likes you and it’s not your fault. You were just doing your thing.
“If you’re getting highlighted, that’s an amazing thing.”
Laura Sharrad believes the online hate is only ‘getting worse’
While Laura offered some wonderful advice to this year’s contestants, she also reflected on just how much the “online trolling” has worsened.
“I feel like it’s getting worse,” she admitted. “I found last year’s season was so bad, the online trolling was insane. And this year as well, everyone has a problem.
“It’s meant to be this beautiful, nice, wholesome show where everyone is genuinely friends with each other and so supportive. And there’s this camaraderie in the process. You live with each other, you’re coming to work every day with each other, you’re cooking alongside each other, you go through all the emotions together. And I think it’s a real shame because it is such a supportive environment and then the online side of things is quite nasty.
“Especially being a young woman, I think that’s really hard. It’s a lot.
“I don’t think [contestants] realise how hard the media spotlight thing can be for them.”
However, Laura admits that Masterchef Australia’s production team plays a big role in protecting the contestants through the nastiness.
“I would totally go to production,” she said, reflecting on her experience. “They are amazing with that, they can filter things out.”
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