Former MasterChef Australia judge Melissa Leong has broken her silence after her late co-star Jock Zonfrillo’s widow, Lauren Fried, sparked rumors of a behind-the-scenes feud.
Fried raised eyebrows last week after conspicuously not mentioning 42-year-old Leong in a post reacting to MasterChef Australia’s new line-up.
She also appeared to attack Leong, saying the new judges “respect the privilege of being part of an extraordinary show.”
Leong spoke to the media for the first time since the feud rumors on Friday, defending her strong personality and insisting she would remain “unapologetically” herself.
‘I like to be direct. I like to be sincere in everything I try to make as real as possible,” the food critic told the newspaper Herald Sun.
Former MasterChef Australia judge Melissa Leong, 42, (pictured) has broken her silence after her late co-star Jock Zonfrillo’s widow, Lauren Fried, sparked rumors of a behind-the-scenes feud
‘We are all human, people are complex and you are allowed to have days off. For me it’s about being real and that resonates with people.’
The upcoming sixteenth season of MasterChef Australia will see three new judges – series alum Poh Ling Yeow, Michelin star chef Jean-Christophe Novelli and food critic Sofia Levin – join returning host Andy Allen.
Leong, who starred as a judge on the reality hit for four years, claims she left the show “on her own terms.”
Fried (with late husband Jock) raised eyebrows last week after conspicuously not mentioning 42-year-old Leong in a post reacting to MasterChef Australia’s new line-up
Leong spoke to the media for the first time since the feud rumors on Friday, defending her strong personality and insisting she would not stop being “unapologetically” herself.
In the meantime, she remains part of the Ten family and presents Dessert Masters, a spin-off series from MasterChef, alongside Swiss-French pastry prodigy Amaury Guichon.
It comes after Jock’s widow Fried said on Instagram that Zonfrillo would be ‘very happy’ with the new MasterChef Australia line-up.
Her comment has led to speculation that Jock, who died of natural causes on April 30 at the age of 46, did not get along with Leong behind the scenes.
Leong, who starred as a judge on the reality hit for four years, claims she left the show “on her own terms.” Pictured: Leong, with the late Jock Zonfrilo (L) and Andy Allen (R)
In a lengthy post, Fried mentioned Allen’s return to the franchise and congratulated Ling Yeow and Novelli on their new roles, but in a somewhat telling move, he neglected to mention Leong’s departure or her four years on the show.
The announcement of the new line-up followed rumors of tensions between the judges.
Eyebrows were raised when Leong did not take part in The Sunday Project’s moving tribute to Zonfrillo a week after his death.
Leong, meanwhile, will remain part of the Ten family and will present Dessert Masters, a spin-off series from MasterChef, alongside Swiss-French pastry prodigy Amaury Guichon (right)
Allen and renowned chefs Gordon Ramsay, Marco Pierre White and Curtis Stone all shared their memories in the heartbreaking special.
Notably missing was Leong, who did not appear in the program.
“There was a very emotional tribute from Andy on The Project and it was surprising that Melissa wasn’t sitting next to him,” an insider told Daily Mail Australia.
It comes after Jock’s widow Fried said on Instagram that Zonfrillo would be ‘very happy’ with the new MasterChef Australia line-up
‘You would think that they would tackle the media together. Especially since the company line was that they were all best friends.
“It was quite strange that Melissa went to the ground during this time and yet quite smart to maintain her decision to leave the program until now.”
A few months after The Project special, Leong explained that the grieving process has been quiet for her after she was criticized for not participating in a special tribute to the late co-star.
The announcement of the new line-up followed rumors of tensions between the judges
“We all deal with loss differently, and we need to honor that,” she wrote in a column for Stellar magazine.
“Some people need to talk to process emotions, while others need more time to find the words, if they can find them at all,” she continued.
‘Some people need company, while others need time alone to stare at a wall, incessantly clean or sleep.