Melissa Leong opens up about 'dark' memoir after sparking concern on social media: 'It was a difficult process'
The former MasterChef Australia judge, 43, is set to release her book, Guts, on September 30.
Speaking to the Herald Sun ahead of the anticipated release, Melissa admitted that she visits some 'dark' places in the book.
'There are unexpected twists and turns and there are definitely some revelations I've never shared publicly before that are printed,' she told the publication.
'Some of it is dark and pretty relevant for what's going on in the world today, especially for women.'
Melissa added that while the process of writing the memoir had been 'difficult', she hoped it would also prove to be a healing one.
'That was a really difficult process for me. And it's going to be very difficult to talk about it in a public sense as the book is promoted,' she said.
'But I am committed to healing through it... I'm committed to healing through it because I think it will help the public. And I really hope it will help me.'
It comes after Melissa sparked concern among fans this week, after she shared a teary-eyed image of herself crying in her car to social media.
She posted the concerning photo on social media on Thursday, which captured her looking downbeat as she rested in her vehicle.
She told fans she was feeling a bit downcast after taking on the mentally challenging task of narrating the audio version of her upcoming memoir.
'Today was a hard day. I started recording the audio version of my memoir, and I knew sharing some of what I wrote might be the most difficult thing I have ever had to say out loud to strangers,' Melissa began.
'I know it's not yet time to talk about it, but I really need to send love to anyone out there who has been forced through the dark moments. You are not alone, and I need to know I am not, either.'
She ended on a more hopeful note and revealed she was excited to be telling her story.
'I am not one for posting these kinds of raw moments, but I want to mark today as one where I reclaimed myself and my story once and for all,' she added.
Many of Melissa's celebrity friends took to the comments section to offer words of support.
'Sharing something like this is never easy, and it matters that you did. Sending lots of love,' wrote publicist Adriana Glass.
'Deep breath... and say it proudly,' added makeup artist Shella Martin.
Melissa's upcoming memoir is currently available for pre-order and promises readers 'previously unshared tea' about her life.
The food critic famously served as a judge on the Channel Ten cooking competition for three years but left last year amid a huge hosting shake-up.
She has since joined spin-off show Dessert Masters as a judge – but has been repeatedly hit by rumours that she could be lining up a return to MasterChef.
Taking to her Instagram, Melissa asked fans what they would like to read about in the book, prompting a whole range of responses.
One eager fan asked her if she would be including any 'behind the scenes MasterChef stories', to which Melissa replied she would be.
'Oh there are a bunch, don't you worry,' she teased in a cryptic reply.
She also revealed she would be discussing other aspects of her life and career, including her little-known passion for UFC. Each chapter will also feature a recipe.
However, Melissa urged fans to stop asking her about aspects of her life she has 'publicly drawn a line' under as she hinted some things would be off limits in the book.
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