MasterChef judge Melissa Leong reveals her ‘secret’ to handling trolls

MasterChef star Melissa Leong has revealed how she handles online trolls.

The 38-year-old food critic brushes off her critics and instead focuses on being grateful for the opportunities she’s been given.

‘My strategy in regards to being in this very public space is to just focus on what I do well, be grateful for the positive aspects and to just own who I am,’ she told WHO magazine on Thursday. 

Melissa has spent a long time learning to be comfortable with who she is, and also learning to accept that not everyone will like her.  

‘As for trolls and the like, I don’t want to let any of that noise weigh me down so I’m not paying attention to any of it at all,’ she said. 

Melissa also hinted she would be returning for the thirteenth season of MasterChef, after this year’s season was a surprise ratings smash. 

‘I’m very open-minded to the possibility of doing MasterChef season 13,’ she said, but didn’t confirm her spot on the next season. 

It comes after Melissa hit out at trolls while speaking on The Project earlier this week.

A number of viewers had complained that Melissa was ‘unqualified’ for the TV role, despite being a celebrated food writer.  

‘I didn’t know the trolls had a copy of my CV, of my decade-long journey through food!’ Melissa said during her segment. 

‘But it is a cathartic thing to show my knowledge about food, but there’s always more to learn. So let’s just add to the CV!’

She then cheekily waved to the camera and said: ‘Hi, trolls!’   

Earlier this month, Melissa said she was ‘humbled’ by MasterChef’s ratings success while speaking to The Weekend Australian. 

‘Ratings aren’t really within our control,’ she said. ‘But’s a wonderful thing to feel that it has resonated with the viewers.’

MasterChef continues Sunday at 7.30pm on Channel 10