For over a decade, it’s been the Channel Seven cooking program captivating the taste preferences of Australians with its enticing content.
Throughout its 15-year run, much like other reality shows, My Kitchen Rules hasn’t shied away from creating a stir with dramas and controversies.
More recently, Michael Edelberg and Rielli Portegys directly criticized competitors Lauren Argyle and Lilli McKay, labeling their hometown of Logan as an ‘underdeveloped area.’
There have also been accusations from former castmates of low pay and long hours without overtime.
In addition, following the 2024 final episode, viewers claimed the competition was manipulated since victorious contestant Simone had previously run two eateries in Brisbane.
Over the years, the series has seen its fair share of controversial personalities, as well.
Here’s a look at what happened to the most divisive stars in My Kitchen Rules history.
Claudean Uamaki-Mu and Anthony Mu (2023)
In the thrilling 2023 season of My Kitchen Rules, I had the privilege to team up with Claudean and Anthony, a dynamic duo known for their intriguing contrast – I was the passionate Italian, while he was the laid-back Samoan.
The couple lasted 13 episodes before being eliminated.
Although they generally steered clear from dramatic situations throughout the show, they could very well be remembered as one of the most debated pairs ever featured on the series.
In 2023, Claudean faced multiple accusations, including eight counts of rape, one sexual assault, 17 instances of indecent treatment of minors under the age of 16, two charges of torture, four allegations of assault causing bodily harm (two of which involved weapons or companions), and two common assault charges. The reason for these accusations is not explicitly stated in your message.
Additionally, Anthony faced charges of seven counts of assault occasioning bodily harm.
Until as recently as April this year, the couple had been under a gag order due to Claudean’s admission of guilt for six historic cases of common assault.
The court heard that she had kicked, hit and spat on a child.
Claudean was sentenced to a $1,000, 12-month good behaviour bond with no convictions recorded.
12 additional accusations, such as rape, are brought against her. The court trial at the Queensland District Court, yet to be scheduled, will see her defend these charges.
Dozens of other charges against her have been dropped, including torture.
In July, I found myself standing before the Richlands Magistrates Court, where I firmly declared my innocence against seven accusations. These charges encompassed assault causing bodily harm, common assault, and invasions of privacy.
The summary trial was adjourned until October.
Pete Evans (2010 – 2020)
On the other side of the table, seated next to Manu Feildel, it’s fair to say that former host Pete Evans hasn’t avoided being a subject of debate.
Pete has encountered numerous issues in recent years due to his contentious opinions on COVID-19 and outlandish speculations regarding conspiracy theories.
A former well-known television personality faced criticism due to promoting vaccine skepticism and pseudoscience about COVID-19, ultimately resulting in a $25,000 fine for advertising a light device that he claimed could cure the virus.
As a lifestyle aficionado, I’m delighted to share an update about our beloved television personality, Pete. In the vibrant month of May 2020, he announced his departure from Channel Seven, where he had graced our screens as a judge on My Kitchen Rules for an impressive decade. He shared this journey with Manu Feildel and guest judge Colin Fassnidge, creating unforgettable moments that truly captivated audiences.
During his time at the network, he made a clear departure from the norm by consistently exploring unconventional concepts, a shift that became evident in his work.
Unrestrained by traditional TV networks’ contractual obligations, he started expressing unscientific views on vaccines and the COVID-19 pandemic across various social media platforms.
In July of 2020, Pete stirred up controversy by asserting untruthfully that COVID-19 was merely a “myth” and that the global pandemic wasn’t as severe as other significant world issues.
In May 2021, he was penalized with a $80,000 fine for attempting to profit from the COVID-19 pandemic by advertising bogus remedies online once more.
He encountered trouble with the authorities once again, following a previous instance where he was penalized $25,000 for offering his BioCharger for sale at $15,000 each on Facebook.
Currently, the individual who opposes vaccinations has expanded his influence into the digital currency world, as he announced on Instagram in April that he would be speaking at a Bitcoin conference in Las Vegas in May.
In a rare public appearance this month, Pete doubled down on his controversial COVID comments.
Pete stated on the Get Harder podcast that he thought the entire situation was a fraudulent scheme or deceitful trick.
In a more casual, conversational tone, you might say: “I’m still firm on my opinion that the lockdown in Melbourne was a complete mess-up, to put it mildly.
Sonya Mefaddi and Hadil Faiza (2018)
Sonya and Hadil were notably eliminated from the competition by judges Manu Fieldel and Pete Evans, following a heated confrontation during a dinner party event against their opponents, Jess Alvial and Emma Byron, who are often referred to as the ‘sisters with Botox’.
The situation became incredibly heated when Sonya and Hadil criticized Jess and Emma’s appearances, prompting Manu and Pete to remove them from the program.
An astonishing 2.39million viewers tuned in to watch the argument take place.
Regarding the behavior of a specific pair during their appearance on The Kyle & Jackie O show in 2020, Colin Fassnidge expressed that their actions negatively impacted the show’s viewership numbers.
He mentioned that we seem to be facing severe consequences due to a minor issue involving Sonya and Hadil from a few years back, which resulted in their dismissal.
‘The drama went through the roof and a lot of people got turned off,’ he added.
After leaving MasterChef Australia without much fanfare, Sonya seems to have abandoned the culinary world altogether.
Since then, she’s started her own fashion brand, Sonya Moda, and also continues to manage Fashion Palette.
Instead, it seems that Hadil deliberately avoids the public eye, choosing to steer clear of social media platforms.
Josh Meeuwissen (2017)
Among contestants on My Kitchen Rules, hardly any have sparked as much debate as the character Josh Meeuwissen.
In the 2017 edition of the show, self-proclaimed seafood aficionado he and his wife Amy made an appearance. Almost immediately, he gained notoriety as the season’s antagonist due to his candid criticisms of other competitors’ dishes.
In a manner that left both fellow competitors and viewers displeased, Josh resorted to using a strong and offensive term when referring to his rival participant, Amy Murr.
His shocking comment caused his wife Amy to storm out.
During the My Kitchen Rules 10th Anniversary Special in 2019, Pete Evans, Manu Feildel, and Colin Fassnidge jointly referred to Josh as the most challenging contestant.
Pete stated that our team from Broome was exceptional. Colin then commented, ‘It seems he has issues not only with the table, but also with Australia.’
Manu stated, “I found it hard to believe how self-assured he was, yet seemingly unable to perform for himself.
Currently, it seems that Josh continues to embody his own nickname of “Seafood King,” as evidenced by his Instagram, which is filled with stories from his fishing expeditions and showcases of his recent catches.
Amy, it seems, has chosen to stay out of the public eye, as her social media profiles are now private, avoiding any potential on-screen disputes.
There’s some ambiguity about whether the couple is still an item, but it looks like Josh might have found someone new – Danielle Meeuwissen, as suggested by photos on his Instagram where they appear affectionate together.
Steve Flood (2015)
Steve and his partner Will Stewart claimed the MKR crown back in 2015.
The win wasn’t achieved without stirring up some debate, as Steve acquired the nickname “casanova” or “womanizer” throughout his stint on the program.
The cause for this stir was the spread of unfounded gossips suggesting Steve may have tried to court or flirt with four female competitors, particularly Emma Wynne.
Later on, Steve clarified the situation, admitting that he had been dating Caroline Groth all along. Presently, he’s in a relationship with Yasmin Pattison.
As a lifestyle enthusiast, I’ve found myself immersed in the dynamic world of food and hospitality post the wrap-up of filming. Just like a dedicated chef who never leaves the kitchen, I’ve been diligently pouring my passion into this field, continually striving to elevate culinary experiences for all.
After winning MasterChef, Steve and Will became frequent guests on Studio 10, and they released a cookbook titled “Home Cook, Aspiring Chef” in the year 2016.
According to his LinkedIn, Steve currently works as a senior growth coach for burger chain Grill’d.
In his past, he held positions as both a culinary and operations director within the Seagrass Boutique Hospitality Group.
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2025-09-13 13:50