MasterChef’s first female judge Melissa Leong is ‘very humbled’ by the show’s success and says she knows what it’s like ‘to be judged’
She’s MasterChef Australia’s first female judge who is considered a fan favourite.
And Melissa Leong told The Weekend Australian on Saturday that she’s ‘very humbled’ by the show’s success.
According to the publication, the average live-to-air and catch-up audience is 1,105,000 viewers – representing a 45 per cent increase to last year.
‘Very humbled’: MasterChef’s first female judge Melissa Leong (pictured), 38, weighed in on the show’s stellar ratings in an interview with The Weekend Australian on Saturday
In her usual self-deprecating manner, Melissa, 38, told the publication: ‘Ratings aren’t really within our control… (but) it’s a wonderful thing to feel that it has resonated with the viewers in Australia and overseas.’
The food writer and TV personality of Singaporean heritage went on to say that she can relate to the contestants as she knows what it’s like to be judged.
‘I know what it is like to put all of yourself in front of others and to be judged.’
Melissa is not only a fan favourite but also revered among her peers.
‘I know what it’s like to put all of yourself in front of others’: The food writer went on to say that she can relate to the contestants as she knows what it’s like to be judged
‘She’s so intelligent’: Melissa is revered among her peers. Anna Polyviou (pictured) who starred as a guest judge on the 2014, 2015 and 2016 seasons, told Daily Mail Australia this month that she’s doing a ‘fantastic’ job
Dessert chef Anna Polyviou who starred as a guest judge on the 2014, 2015 and 2016 seasons, told Daily Mail Australia this month that she’s doing a ‘fantastic’ job.
‘I think they (all three judges) are all incredible and doing a fantastic job, Melissa in particular. She is so intelligent and such a beautiful soul,’ she said.
‘She has been so encouraging to the contestants and has such a warm presence that resonates through the TV. She makes you fall in love with cooking all over again.’
New panel: Melissa has joined fellow new judges Andy Allen (left) and Jock Zonfrillo (right)
Melissa stars as a new judge on the panel alongside Jock Zonfrillo and Andy Allen.
The trio have replaced veteran judges George Calombaris, Gary Mehigan and Matt Preston.
MasterChef: Back To Win continues Sunday at 7.30pm on Channel Ten.
TV shake-up: The trio replaced veteran judges from left to right: Matt Preston, Gary Mehigan and George Calombaris