For many MasterChef fans the personal life of the show’s most soft-spoken contestant, Brendan Pang, remains much of a mystery.
But, just last year the MasterChef hopeful opened up to family and friends to come out as gay.
WATCH: MasterChef judges make a disgusting discovery in a contestant’s dish
“My name is Brendan Pang and I’m 26 years old… but, for as long as I can remember and up until the age of 24 I struggled with my sense of identity,” Brendan wrote in a Facebook post.
“As a gay male, I had feelings of being “different” very early on, and as I navigated the bumpy road into adulthood, I went through some pretty dark times from feeling pressured to change who I was, to experiencing high levels of social anxiety.”
While the Perth-based social worker admits her struggled with his identity, he adds that he was grateful for the support of family and friends.
“Thankfully, with the help of a strong and supportive network (my family and friends), I was able to not only survive the complexity of mental health, but thrive and become a stronger, happier, comfortable and proud ME.”
With the 27-year-old relocating temporarily to Melbourne for filming of the show and COVID-19 travel restrictions falling into place, Brendan hasn’t been able to visit Nick in Perth.
Brendan shared a throwback photo of the couple on Valentine’s Day recently, with the caption: “Missing a lot today.”
Seriously, too cute.
Brendan made headlines in his original season of MasterChef when he suffered one of the worst kitchen accidents the show has seen.
During an intense kitchen takeover Brendan, just 24-years-old at the time, tripped up a set of stairs and suffered a deep gash to his right hand from a smashed olive oil bottle he was carrying.
“I ran back down in shock, and screamed for help,” he told WHO, adding he was lucky not to have cut through any tendons or muscles.
Rushed to hospital, Brendan received 13 stitches and was back in the contestant house that night.
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