Melissa Leong reveals her lifelong struggle with anxiety and depression… amid rumoured feud with MasterChef co-star Andy Allen

Melissa Leong reveals her lifelong struggle with anxiety and depression... amid rumoured feud with MasterChef co-star Andy Allen

As an ardent fan and follower of MasterChef Australia, I’ve been captivated by Melissa Leong’s culinary prowess and her vibrant personality. However, reading about her lifelong struggle with anxiety and depression has added a profound layer to my admiration for this remarkable woman.


Previously serving as a judge on MasterChef Australia, Melissa Leong has openly disclosed her long-term battles with anxiety and depression.

On the most recent installment of my go-to podcast, Mental As Anyone, I shared some personal insights. You see, this ongoing challenge has been a part of my story since I can recall. It’s been an integral part of my journey, shaping who I am today as a lifestyle expert and food enthusiast.

‘Anxiety and depression for me goes hand-in-hand,’ Melissa explained. 

‘It feels like a constant seesaw, where accepting one thing means dealing with the opposite, and there’s a brief, peaceful moment when neither is affecting me.’

Melissa, a native of Sydney whose parents had emigrated from Singapore, mentioned that during her childhood, mental health wasn’t given as much attention or recognition within the Asian cultural context.

‘In Asian culture, mental health is or was not at the time really recognised. 

‘You’ve been described as challenging or having difficult phases, possibly characterized by stubbornness or mood swings.’

As a fervent admirer putting it in my own words, I’d say Melissa confided that her unwavering passion for expressing her emotions vividly has guided her on a captivating journey through the realm of language – a ‘verse of voice,’ if you will.

Melissa Leong reveals her lifelong struggle with anxiety and depression... amid rumoured feud with MasterChef co-star Andy Allen

Additionally, she debunked the misconception that individuals dealing with anxiety are typically reserved and unlikely to pursue roles in the spotlight.

Melissa emphasized that she has put in a lot of effort to ensure her thoughts are clear, regardless of the medium or context,” (or) “Melissa stressed that she makes sure to be as understandable as possible, no matter where or how she communicates.

As a fervent admirer, from the get-go, I’ve been grappling with finding the right phrases to encapsulate this whirlwind of emotions swirling within me.

Melissa Leong reveals her lifelong struggle with anxiety and depression... amid rumoured feud with MasterChef co-star Andy Allen

‘I think the misconception about anxiety is that if you’re an anxious person you wouldn’t be doing a job that’s so public, or you wouldn’t be able to moderate a Q&A with Jamie Oliver to a sold out Opera House or something like that. It is just not true.’

She continued: ‘A lot of us grapple [with anxiety] and we hold down any number of different kinds of high functioning jobs. It is just a part of who we are.’ 

Last year, Melissa surprised followers by departing MasterChef Australia amid speculation of a disagreement between her and her previous co-host, Andy Allen, that cast a shadow over her exit.

Melissa Leong reveals her lifelong struggle with anxiety and depression... amid rumoured feud with MasterChef co-star Andy Allen

2022 saw reports of off-camera disputes between Leong and staff from Endemol Shine, Ten’s production partner. Subsequently, it became known that Leong would not be part of the MasterChef Australia team.

As a fervent admirer, I’ve been hearing some tantalizing whispers! Apparently, there’s a strong possibility that the talented Melissa might be contemplating a comeback on MasterChef. Here’s the intriguing twist: it seems she’s considering a unique condition for her participation in the show.

A TV insider informed Daily Mail Australia that Melissa plans to return to MasterChef Australia once Andy Allen departs the show.

It appears that the concept of going back to how the show originally was might feel challenging for her, and it’s unlikely she’d come back unless there were significant changes made to the overall format.

Melissa left her position after allegations arose that she was dismissed due to several behind-the-scenes conflicts, which were made public.

In 2022, she notoriously encountered conflicts with both the regular program hair and makeup staff, as well as an on-call freelance hairstylist.

According to the source, Andy holds no grudge against Leong. However, it’s worth noting that in the past, Andy had criticized his former coworker for spending excess time on hair and makeup.

‘He felt her control over what was filmed was compromised by her perfectionism.’ 

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2024-10-29 02:04

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