Melissa Leong has cleared up misconceptions about her exit from MasterChef Australia following “negative” commentary about her career.
ICYMI: Channel Ten revealed on October 23 that Melissa was departing the cooking show‘s judging lineup, with three new faces joining Andy Allen on the panel in 2024.
The food critic and media personality also took to social media to confirm she was “stepping away from the main show” to lead MasterChef’s new spin-off, Dessert Masters.
While many were thrilled for Melissa, some were confused about the circumstances surrounding her exit after media reported she was “axed”.
Taking to Instagram with a second post, she clarified the “confusion and chaos about the ‘why’ of it all”.
Melissa Leong says she is ’embracing’ her ‘shift’ to Dessert Masters
“I want to express my gratitude for the overwhelming support this past day, in sharing the news that I am shifting gears and making space in my life for a delicious new chapter,” Melissa wrote.
“I’m here and happy to clear that up, because negative tropes draped around women who achieve something is boring, and frankly we are all better than that.”
Melissa confirmed her new Dessert Masters gig “is a shift [she] embrace[s] with joy”.
“One that allows everyone involved to expand,” she continued. “To put it plainly, I’m very fortunate to continue to be a key part of MasterChef, yet have the space to evolve my career.
“In effect, I get to have my cake and eat it too… and what could be better than that?!”
As Melissa moves to host Dessert Masters with Amaury Guichon, MasterChef‘s Andy will be joined by Poh Ling Yeow, Sofia Levin and Jean-Christophe Novelli.
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