MasterChef Australia’s Melissa Leong has opened up about her “messy” divorce from Joe Jones.
While the reality TV judge has since moved on with a new beau — Melissa revealed that she and her ex-husband are still friends.
“I’m very lucky that we have a mutual respect, an enduring friendship and the greatest hope for each other’s happiness,’ she told Stellar Magazine.
“That wasn’t a line or a PR stunt to placate people,” she added. “It’s true. Just as much as it’s important to destigmatise mental health, it’s important to destigmatise divorce being a ‘failure’. It’s not.”
The 40-year-old, who has been open about her struggles with depression and anxiety, then said that “sometimes things need to get messy until they can clarify themselves… And that’s OK”.
“I don’t think it’s good to be hard on yourself. Sometimes things end, and it’s better for both parties to acknowledge it and give each other a chance at future happiness by disengaging and moving on.”
Melissa Leong Announced Her Split from Joe Jones Via Instagram
Melissa and Joe met at a function and decided to get engaged three months into their relationship, eloping in California in 2017.
Then, only three years later in December 2020, Melissa announced that she and Joe were getting a divorce.
“It has brought us such happiness to walk together, but the time has come for Joe and I to part ways and walk on, apart,” she wrote.
“We ask for your kindness and consideration for our privacy, we will not be making any further comment as our private lives have and will always remain exactly that.
“We wish you peace at the end of such a challenging year for all.”
Melissa Leong Is Now Dating Entrepreneur Rob Mason
In September 2021, Melissa hard-launched her new man Rob Mason via Instagram with a sweet father’s day post.
“Gratuitous hot dad post, a day late,” Melissa wrote.
“Creator of world class cosmetics and the brains behind @morrismotley, brilliant father to a legendary babe squad and the best part of my day, nothing but love @therobmason.”
Then on Valentine’s Day 2022, the MasterChef judge posted a STUNNING black-and-white pic of her and Rob, accompanied by a gushing post.
“Thank you for eventually replying to my DM, @therobmason,” she penned. “To me, you are perfect*. Except for your views on onion, coriander and how often Maccas drive through is socially acceptable. Fortunately, we can agree that moonwalking in the supermarket is always ok.”
During her interview with Stellar Magazine in October 2022, she revealed that the paparazzi’s interest in her relationship had almost resulted in a car accident.
“I know it’s a job they do, but it’s not a very nice job,” she said. “And it’s very scary to be on the other end of it. I [made the Instagram announcement] to take a little bit of control back into my life.”
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