MasterChef Australia judge Melissa Leong reveals the REAL reason why she struggles to enjoy her fame
She fronts one the most popular TV shows in Australia, but Melissa Leong has revealed that she struggles to enjoy the perks of fame.
In a piece written for The Daily Telegraph, the 39-year-old MasterChef judge admitted that she hates being asked about being a ‘household name’.
‘I said yes to doing a job that I felt I could do justice to,’ she wrote.
Not in it for the fame: MasterChef Australia’s Melissa Leong has revealed that she struggles to enjoy the perks of fame
‘And while I know popularity is a function of that success, the whole notion of fame makes me deeply uncomfortable as it’s not something I place any stock in.
‘Instead, I want to focus on doing a good job and continuing to revel in teasing open the stories of others, through the lens of food,’ she added.
‘Whether your job puts you in the public eye or not, being able to leave your work at work and come home to a different pace of life seems to me not only logical, but sustainable.’
Last year, she was widely considered the saving grace of the revamped MasterChef franchise.
But in July, Melissa revealed she hadn’t felt the impact of fame on her day-to-day life, since she was in lockdown for a major part of the year due to COVID-19.
The Back To Win judge told TV Tonight she hasn’t had a lot of interaction with the show’s ‘wonderful audience’ yet.
‘I haven’t had much interaction with our audience in public’: Last year, the MasterChef judge revealed she hasn’t felt the impact of fame due to the coronavirus pandemic
‘I guess with COVID being what it is, I haven’t actually been out that much,’ Melissa told the website at the time.
Melissa went on to explain both cast and crew made sure to do the ‘responsible thing’ when filming Channel Ten’s ratings juggernaut.
‘I haven’t actually had much interaction with our wonderful audience in a public setting…’ she added.
‘I haven’t actually been out that much’: The 38-year-old told TV Tonight she hasn’t had a lot of interaction with the show’s ‘wonderful audience’ yet
As restrictions eased though, Melissa has had her first few run-ins with some of the show’s die-hard fans.
‘It’s deeply flattering and it really does make us so happy,’ she said.
Last year, Melissa told The Weekend Australian that she’s ‘very humbled’ by the show’s success.
Doing their part: She went on to explain both cast and crew made sure to do the ‘responsible thing’ when filming and not go out amid lockdown. Pictured alongside Jock Zonfrillo and Andy Allen
In her usual self-deprecating manner, Melissa told the publication: ‘Ratings aren’t really within our control… (but) it’s a wonderful thing to feel that it has resonated with the viewers in Australia and overseas.’
The food writer went on to say that she can relate to the contestants as she knows what they’re going through.
‘I know what it is like to put all of yourself in front of others and to be judged,’ she said.
MasterChef Australia premieres Sunday April 18 on Channel 10
Back on screen! MasterChef Australia premieres Sunday April 18 on Channel Ten