Fans were quick to agree with Melissa's statement and remarked that positivity and inclusion is a must for 2021 television.
"This show is the positive, joy-filled moment we all need right now," one penned.
"Representation matters," stated another.
Ex contestant Amina Elshafei who starred on the 2020 All Star season also remarked: "Yes yes yes!!! This is what we need to see more of, the amazing cultural diversity that makes up Australia reflected in food. Well done @masterchefau team but also Tommy for being so proud of his heritage and more importantly his mum. We were all teary too!"
Tommy also re-shared Melissa's post and noted how proud he was to be bilingual and shared a special message to children growing up with English as their second language.
"I didn’t realise how powerful it would be to speak Vietnamese to my mum on Australian TV," he said.
"Growing up I always used to translate things from English to Vietnamese for her even when I was just a kid, which at the time felt a bit isolating because I always thought why can’t my mum speak English well like the other mums. But now I feel so lucky and proud that I’m bilingual and hope that all the kids growing up with English as their second language realise how special it is to be able to speak the language that you’ve inherited from your culture."
"Mel, I’m already so grateful to be able to share something so special like MasterChef with you but this fills me with such raw emotion. Thank you from the bottom of my heart."
In a previous chat with WHO, Melissa explained that filming the second season with her fellow judges has been "really fun."
"This year we’re more familiar in the space, we’ve bonded more and we’re having a bit more fun with it. Our first pancake has been made, so to speak, so we’re all coming back to it with a lot more confidence," she shared.
"Last year we had the All-Stars season, this time we’re back to home cook contestants who are trying to realise their dreams."
