Who
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Style
  • Health
  • Beauty
  • Sexiest People
  • The Travel List
  • Podcasts
  • Video
Who
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Style
  • Health
  • Beauty
  • Sexiest People
  • The Travel List
  • Podcasts
  • Video
Subscribe
Louis Tomlinson Calls James Corden Out
Watch 0:36

Louis Tomlinson Calls James Corden Out

{headline}

{headline}

MasterChef judges say the 2021 contestants rival the All Stars!

MasterChef judges say the 2021 contestants rival the All Stars!

Emelia wins MasterChef: Back To Win 2020

Emelia wins MasterChef: Back To Win 2020

"Dozens" of celebrity chefs turned down offers on MasterChef Australia

"Dozens" of celebrity chefs turned down offers on MasterChef Australia

Melissa Leong’s post break-up transformation

Melissa Leong’s post break-up transformation

{headline}

{headline}

MasterChef star Melissa Leong’s shock walk-out

MasterChef star Melissa Leong’s shock walk-out

MasterChef judge Jock Zonfrillo and wife Lauren welcome a baby girl

MasterChef judge Jock Zonfrillo and wife Lauren welcome a baby girl

Melissa Leong: "Fearless women are sexy"

Melissa Leong: "Fearless women are sexy"

{headline}

{headline}

MasterChef's Melissa Leong shares her fashion secrets

MasterChef's Melissa Leong shares her fashion secrets

The best reactions to MasterChef's Jock's kilt

The best reactions to MasterChef's Jock's kilt

EXCLUSIVE: MasterChef Mel's secret health battle

EXCLUSIVE: MasterChef Mel's secret health battle

MasterChef's Emelia Jackson is pregnant

MasterChef's Emelia Jackson is pregnant

EXCLUSIVE: MasterChef winner Emelia wants to be a judge

EXCLUSIVE: MasterChef winner Emelia wants to be a judge

Meet Gary Mehigan's wife of almost 30 years, Mandy

Meet Gary Mehigan's wife of almost 30 years, Mandy

Who is MasterChef's Laura Sharrad's chef husband?

Who is MasterChef's Laura Sharrad's chef husband?

  1. Home
  2. Reality TV

MasterChef's Melissa Leong's powerful message on racism

"To be a white male calling out racism is important." - by Alex Lilly
  • 12 Oct 2020

She was the breath of fresh air MasterChef Australia needed and now Melissa Leong has become one of the 2020 TV stars we can't get enough of.

But during an interview with the Sunday Project, the food writer shared some heartbreaking details about what it's been like dealing with racism throughout her life.

WATCH BELOW: Junior MasterChef 2020 teaser

{title} Play

{title}

{duration}
WHO chats with Ange and Dylan Play

WHO chats with Ange and Dylan

2:37
My Kitchen Rules Season 10 Sneak Peek: Mother & Son Play

My Kitchen Rules Season 10 Sneak Peek: Mother & Son

1:30
Bride and Prejudice Sneak Peek: Will Fatima ruin Jess & Seyat's Wedding Day? Play

Bride and Prejudice Sneak Peek: Will Fatima ruin Jess & Seyat's Wedding Day?

1:00
Meet MKR's Friendly Pirate Play

Meet MKR's Friendly Pirate

1:30
Bride and Prejudice's Jess reveals why Seyat has gone silent Play

Bride and Prejudice's Jess reveals why Seyat has gone silent

0:48
Bride and Prejudice's Ange and Dylan speak to The Morning Show (part 1) Play

Bride and Prejudice's Ange and Dylan speak to The Morning Show (part 1)

1:59
Bride and Prejudice's Ange and Dylan speak to The Morning Show (part 2) Play

Bride and Prejudice's Ange and Dylan speak to The Morning Show (part 2)

2:32
MY KITCHEN RULES | 10th Anniversary Season Play

MY KITCHEN RULES | 10th Anniversary Season

1:30
Bride and Prejudice - John schools Dylan on the devil Play

Bride and Prejudice - John schools Dylan on the devil

3:16

Ahead of the Junior MasterChef premiere, the judge reflected on the moment when her fellow judge Jock Zonfrillo called out a racist comment aimed at Melissa.

"To be a white male calling out racism is important," she told host Lisa Wilkinson.

"Jock has become such a dear friend of mine - he's one of my work husbands and he's just such a great human being in terms of the way he sees others. That right there is a perfect example of allyship."

Melissa then explained that she "absolutely" encountered racism growing up in Australia.

"I think as a kid you just want to be accepted times by the people around you and largely I was but I remember very clearly times in my childhood at school where I would be called names and I would have to go home and say to Mum 'What does this mean?'

"To have a parent explain what racism means in terms that affect you, that's something that you don't forget."

melissa

"I remember very clearly times in my childhood at school where I would be called names and I would have to go home and say to Mum 'What does this mean?'"

Ten

Melissa then revealed that her parents handled the situation by explaining what the racist comments meant and why they were said, but told her not to pay any attention to it and to brush it off and be herself.

"It isn't until later in your life that perhaps you reflect upon the experiences that make you you and you realise what an impact it might've made," she added.

The MasterChef judge went on to say that whilst dealing with racism is "tough" and that she prides herself on her resilience and competence, she thinks "it's important to be vulnerable and to really pay attention to your emotions."

"If experiences in my childhood have helped me become strong then I can articulate those experiences and perhaps tell people out there that have gone through the same thing that they're not alone."

In a heartwarming message to children of varying ethnic background, Melissa remarked: "As a veteran outsider of many decades I would want to say to you that your place in this world matters. You do deserve to be seen and to be heard and for your heart and your soul to be accepted and you will find your people. So be kind to yourself in that process because this is the making of you."

1

Melissa (pictured with fellow judges Jock Zonfrillo and Andy Allen) is one of the new MasterChef judges.

Ten

Since she joined the new MasterChef judges Jock and Andy Allen, Melissa's popularity has soared to new heights, though she hasn't been immune from online trolling.

In a previous chat with Who, Melissa explained that her strategy to dealing with negativity is to focus on what she does well, being grateful for the positive aspects and owning who she is.

"I’ve spent a very long time learning how to be comfortable in my skin and that’s the best I can do," she explained in July.

"Not everybody is going to like what you do. Nobody is universally loved and I think when you can accept that you can focus on being the best version of yourself you can be. As for trolls and the like, I don’t want to let any of that noise weigh me down so I’m not paying attention to any of it at all."

melissa

When it comes to trolls and negativity, Melissa doesn't give it any notice.

Ten

With Junior MasterChef now airing on our screens, Melissa can't help but admire the sheer talent of the young chefs on the show this year.

"In a word, these kids were inspiring," she told Woman's Day in September.

"To have 14 enthusiastic, good-hearted clever and creative juniors to spend this season with was such a bright spot in a crazy year."

  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Reality TV
  • Celebrity
Alex Lilly

FREE Neoprene Tote-WORTH $79.95

By Willow Bay, when you subscribe

Subscribe Now
FREE Neoprene Tote

FREE Neoprene Tote-WORTH $79.95

By Willow Bay, when you subscribe

Subscribe Now
FREE Neoprene Tote

Recommended to you

Louis Tomlinson Calls James Corden Out
Watch 0:36

Louis Tomlinson Calls James Corden Out

{headline}

{headline}

MasterChef judges say the 2021 contestants rival the All Stars!

MasterChef judges say the 2021 contestants rival the All Stars!

Emelia wins MasterChef: Back To Win 2020

Emelia wins MasterChef: Back To Win 2020

"Dozens" of celebrity chefs turned down offers on MasterChef Australia

"Dozens" of celebrity chefs turned down offers on MasterChef Australia

Melissa Leong’s post break-up transformation

Melissa Leong’s post break-up transformation

{headline}

{headline}

MasterChef star Melissa Leong’s shock walk-out

MasterChef star Melissa Leong’s shock walk-out

MasterChef judge Jock Zonfrillo and wife Lauren welcome a baby girl

MasterChef judge Jock Zonfrillo and wife Lauren welcome a baby girl

Melissa Leong: "Fearless women are sexy"

Melissa Leong: "Fearless women are sexy"

{headline}

{headline}

MasterChef's Melissa Leong shares her fashion secrets

MasterChef's Melissa Leong shares her fashion secrets

The best reactions to MasterChef's Jock's kilt

The best reactions to MasterChef's Jock's kilt

EXCLUSIVE: MasterChef Mel's secret health battle

EXCLUSIVE: MasterChef Mel's secret health battle

MasterChef's Emelia Jackson is pregnant

MasterChef's Emelia Jackson is pregnant

EXCLUSIVE: MasterChef winner Emelia wants to be a judge

EXCLUSIVE: MasterChef winner Emelia wants to be a judge

Meet Gary Mehigan's wife of almost 30 years, Mandy

Meet Gary Mehigan's wife of almost 30 years, Mandy

Who is MasterChef's Laura Sharrad's chef husband?

Who is MasterChef's Laura Sharrad's chef husband?

Who
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms
Who Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms

Brands

  • Beauty Crew
  • Home Beautiful
  • marie claire
  • Bounty Parents

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • New Idea food
  • New Idea
  • Girlfriend
  • That’s Life
  • All Recipes
  • Practical Parenting
  • 7plus
  • 7News
  • Health Engine
  • Starts at 60
  • The West Australian
  • Perth Now
  • Airtasker
  • Society One
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from Who

Magazine Subscription Offer

FREE Neoprene Tote-WORTH $79.95

Shop This Offer
FREE Neoprene Tote