Latest news with #MelissaLeong
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Melissa Leong opens up about 'dark' memoir after sparking concern on social media: 'It was a difficult process'
Melissa Leong has opened up about her upcoming memoir, revealing writing 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.
Perth Now
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
TV star seen crying in car after ‘hard day'
Former Masterchef judge Melissa Leong is typically bubbly and reassured in the kitchen, but fans saw a different side to the TV foodie after she shared a 'raw' moment of vulnerability from her car in a teary social post. The 43-year-old's latest project sees her re-connect with her past, which Leong admitted had triggered a challenging period of introspection. '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,' she told fans. Set for release on September 30 this year, Leong's book promises to be a 'memoir of food, failure and taking impossible chances'. While fans might know her as 'Fooderati', the first female Masterchef judge, or a Gold Logie nominee, the stylish star will deliver a candid account of her life's failures, successes, and everything in between. '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. You are not alone, and I need to know I am not, either,' she added. '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.' Melissa Leong's new memoir Guts is set for September release. Credit: Melissa Leong/IG / IG Featuring some of her favourite recipes, the author's memoir will put all of herself on the plate, and she hopes readers bring their appetites. 'No guts, no glory. Hope you're hungry,' she's told fans in her book's promotion. Following Leong's very public show of emotion, her numerous TV and cooking pals have reached out and empathised with her creative process. 'Sending so much love,' fellow author and presenter Jess Rowe responded. Author Hannah Diviney said, '(Recording) my audiobook was like pressing on every bruise and opening every wound I've ever had but it ended up feeling so freeing and important. You're doing great ❤️'.
News.com.au
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Melissa Leong shares tearful post about ‘dark' memoir revelations
Melissa Leong has worried fans after sharing a tearful photo on social media. The former MasterChef Australia judge, 43, said she had a 'hard day' as she revisited past traumas aired in her upcoming memoir, Guts, which hits stands in September. '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,' Leong shared in her Instagram caption, alongside a photo of herself in tears. '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. You are not alone, and I need to know I am not, either,' she continued. '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.' Leong's post prompted an outpouring of love from her followers, praising the food critic for her 'strength' and 'vulnerability'. The TV presenter, who left the Ten cooking show in 2023 after Jock Zonfrillo's death, revealed in June her debut memoir would 'have teeth, guts and heart.' 'Writing this book hasn't been without fear, doubt, or worry. The result is a book rippled with love letters to food, seeing the world, and most importantly, doing things my way,' Leong shared. 'It's not all light. There are some pretty dark truths in here, but isn't that always the making of who we are?' She also promised fans there would be 'a bunch' of behind the scenes MasterChef revelations. Leong, who currently hosts the networks MasterChef spin-off, Dessert Masters, previously opened up to about her struggle with anxiety and overcoming self-doubt. 'I have a very loud internal monologue, so whenever I say something I could have articulated a little bit more delicately, I'm rehashing what I did and said in front of people because that's just how my mind works. I'm hypercritical. It's just how I'm built,' she said in October last year. Leong continued, 'Anxiety and neuroticism is something we all share as human beings. We all have moments where we know we nailed it, and moments where we go, 'Wow, that was a bit special, wasn't it?' 'I think the more time I spend in entertainment, the more I realise that's just what makes us human. What connects us to other humans. I've learned to embrace the mess just a little bit more. 'I don't think that I'll ever be fully comfortable with [being high profile]. I mean, I watch peers and colleagues handle it with much more grace than I do. 'But I have found a way to traverse it in a way that I can live with.'
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
MasterChef Australia's Melissa Leong sparks concern as she shares teary-eyed image in car
Melissa Leong has sparked concern among fans after she shared a teary-eyed image of herself crying in her car to social media. The former MasterChef Australia judge, 43, 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, called Guts. '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-orders and promises readers 'previously unshared tea' about her life. In January, Melissa teased that she would be lifting the lid on her time on MasterChef Australia in an upcoming book release. 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. Melissa's upcoming memoir is currently available for pre-orders and promises readers 'previously unshared tea' about her life 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 career including her little-known passion for UFC while every chapter will also include 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. Her exciting new project comes after Melissa was hit by rumours she could be lining up a return to MasterChef Australia. Melissa left the program last year under a cloud of suspicion about an alleged feud with her former co-host Andy Allen, who still serves as a judge. Andy returned to the show this year alongside three new judges - media darling Poh Ling Yeow, Michelin-star chef Jean-Christophe Novelli and Melbourne food critic Sofia Levin. judging alongside French-Swiss pastry chef Amaury Guichon.
Daily Mail
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
MasterChef judging panel set for major shakeup - amid rumours fan favourite won't be returning to series
MasterChef Australia will look very different next year. Fan favourite Andy Allen's future on the cooking competition is up in the air amid reports that producers are preparing to rejig the judging panel with an all-female line-up. According to Woman's Day, a major shake-up is underway and things aren't looking too good for Andy. 'There's no official announcement until the current season wraps but everyone at MasterChef knows cost-cutting is in full swing,' says the source. 'Four judges may no longer be financially viable - especially as other major shows like I'm A Celeb are taking budget hits too.' From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Andy is said to be 'preparing for a career pivot', confiding in friends that he's incredibly grateful for his time on the show - but he knows the end might be near. 'Andy is a smart guy and he will have more opportunities. He's also been wary about Melissa Leong making a return,' the source adds. 'If they can mend their differences and she comes back, it's likely she won't be working with Andy.' It comes just weeks after Poh confirmed that she will be returning to the series next year, despite reports that she was going to be replaced by Julie Goodwin. Daily Mail Australia can reveal the 51-year-old has signed on to return for the 2026 season, putting an end to recent speculation that she was preparing to bow out. A spokesperson for the popular chef flatly denied the claims, revealing: 'There's no truth to the speculation. Poh is loving her time on MasterChef and feels like she's found her place.' It follows a report by New Idea earlier this week suggesting Poh was considering leaving the series, prompting executives to quietly begin scouting a new judge to join Andy Allen, Sofia Levin and Jean-Christophe Novelli at the judging table. Among the names floated as a potential replacement? None other than fan favourite Julie Goodwin - the very contestant who beat Poh to win the first season of MasterChef back in 2009. 'Julie would be a fantastic judge. Fans love her,' a source told the magazine. 'While no one wants to see Poh leave, everyone would welcome Julie back with open arms.' Julie, 54, made a triumphant return to the franchise in 2022 and delighted fans when she appeared as a guest judge last year. Insiders told the magazine she 'absolutely loved' the experience and would be open to returning in a more permanent capacity if the opportunity arose. Poh, meanwhile, joined the judging panel in 2022 following the shock death of Jock Zonfrillo and the departure of Melissa Leong. While she's embraced the role, the artist-turned-chef has admitted the transition hasn't always been seamless. Speaking on the From The Newsroom podcast earlier this year, Poh revealed she often finds herself mentally back in the contestant's apron. 'I constantly run through the challenges that I have just delivered and think about what I would do in that situation,' she said. 'That's how much I miss and love it.'
