Melissa Leong: New judge the secret to revamped MasterChef’s success
She’s the breakout star of a make-or-break season for MasterChef, but what makes Melissa Leong such a hit with viewers? She reveals the driving force behind her work and why she’s uncomfortable with being called a trailblazer.
Fiona Byrne
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Melissa Leong has emerged as the magic ingredient in MasterChef’s new recipe for success.
As the first female and first Asian Australian judge on the powerful Channel 10 cooking show, Leong, who calls the shots alongside Jock Zonfrillo and Andy Allen, has emerged as the breakout star of what many TV pundits saw as MasterChef’s make or break season.
The show, which 10 revamped this year following the departure of longtime judges George Calombaris, Gary Mehigan and Matt Preston, has been a huge ratings hit and has been widely celebrated for its culturally diverse and inclusive cast.
“Everybody deserves to be seen and to be heard,” Melbourne-based Leong said.
“Regardless of whether that is your culture, your language, who you love, your ability, or the way you chose to live your life, everybody deserves to be seen and be heard and it makes me very happy that people who look like me and people who come from backgrounds that have not necessarily been predominant in Australian media culture have come to the fore.
“I also hope that it (the show) gives those who have not been yet seen or heard adequately a reminder that their time is on its way.
“That very human need to feel seen is the thing that we share regardless of where we come from, regardless of our life experience and everybody deserves to feel validated in that regard.”
The labels trailblazer and role model don’t sit easily with Leong.
“There are so many amazing people who have come before me who have allowed me this opportunity,” she said.
“I think of tremendous people like Benjamin Law and his tremendous writing and his shows, and Janice Petersen who is just an intelligent, articulate, stylish human being. There are more names than I could possibly mention that I admire and that have done this for a lot longer than I have, so I walk in great company.
“It is just entertainment, I am aware of the fact that this is not curing cancer, but entertainment still has a role in the popular culture to allow the facilitation of conversations that affect us all as a society.”
While her star has risen dramatically thanks to MasterChef, Leong, 38, is far from an overnight success. She has honed her skills over the past 20 years as a publicist, a food writer, cookbook editor, critic and as a TV presenter and regular radio guest.
She co-hosted two seasons of The Chef’s Line on SBS and is widely known and respected within the food and hospitality industry.
Her eloquent descriptions of dishes and connection and empathy with MasterChef contestants have endeared her to the viewing audience.
Leong, however, has had to deal with disgraceful trolling on social media. She quickly limited the comments on her Instagram page to manage unwanted messages.
“It is a function that exists so why not use all the tools that you have at your disposal to make your life easier,” she said pragmatically.
“Social media is great for connecting and inspiring but you don’t have to live your life through it and I certainly don’t.”
The troll situation was highlighted recently when Zonfrillo called out a comment that included a disparaging reference to Leong on his social media.
“I would love to tell you that it is just the age of social media, but I am nearly 40-years-old and I (have) experience this kind of sentiment every other day for nearly 40 years, so what are you going to do?,” she said.
“What you do is you say something and you don’t sink to their level and you use whatever you can to be part of a constructive conversation to unify rather than divide.
Leong’s life experience and resolve has helped her adapt quickly to the attention and demands that come with fronting a commercial hit such as MasterChef.
“I don’t feel the pressure or expectation per se,” she said.
“I go into this job, as I have from day one, being resolute and comfortable with who I am.
“I focus on being the best version of myself that I can be. I can’t control trolls, I can’t control the ratings or how the show is received, but what I can control is to be the best person I can be every day and to be better every day.”
Not surprisingly she is being deluged with opportunities thanks to the success of MasterChef.
“So many things are on the horizon,” she said.
“It is a really cathartic and creative time for me in my career. I have always been a big believer in saying yes to opportunities and learning as you go.”
As for her new found fame, Leong said she had not reflected on it yet.
“Fame is a very uncomfortable concept for me,” she said.
“I love the work, I love being around the best team in the business (on MasterChef) and having so much fun doing that work.
“To me all the validation I need is to feel like I am a constructive member of my team.”
HOW MELISSA DRESSES FOR SUCCESS
It is not just her eloquent and emotional judging that has endeared Melissa Leong to MasterChef fans.
Her striking and stylish fashion choices have also struck a chord with viewers.
Channel 10 stylist Charmaine De Pasquale worked with Leong to put together her filming wardrobe. Supporting Australian labels was important to both women as was finding outfits that were stylish and practical.
“My job is to accentuate Mel’s personality through her on-screen style,” De Pasquale said.
“I love her oversized earrings, so I definitely wanted to showcase them as one of her key (fashion) staples.
“We aimed to work with a lot of Australian designers, as I know Melissa likes to support local brands where possible.
“As she is in the kitchen (when on set filming) I am not able to dress her in outfits with oversized draping sleeves or delicate fabrics that will catch on the kitchen benches.”
Brands sported by Leong this season include Alice McCall, Kitx by Kit Willow, Gary Bigeni, Husk, Acler, Thurley, Torannce, Ted Baker, Order of Style, Cuda Sisters and Zara.
Both De Pasquale and Leong agree on their favourite outfit out of the dozens that have been featured on the show.
“Mine and Melissa’s favourite look this season was the white trench dress from Torannce,” De Pasquale said.
“Sometimes simplicity is best. A trench is timeless. We teamed it with a Lovisa patterned headscarf to add a pop of colour and personality to the look.”