There’s no doubt that this season of Masterchef has done a lot for diversity on Australian TV, but Melissa Leong has the perfect clap back for an MP who claimed the country isn’t racist because the show simply exists. Melissa Leong claimed that Australia is “very far from where we need to be,” responding to comments that Immigration Minister Alan Tudge made.
We spoke about this season of Masterchef on this episode of It’s Been A Big Day For…
When asked about China’s claims that Australia is unsafe for international students to study because of racism, Alan Tudge responded by pointing to Masterchef, illuminating that the show has people of Asian descent (including judge Melissa Leong) as a reason to debunk China’s claims.
On Sky News, Alan Tudge said, “When you look at pop culture, some of the most successful and popular people have got a more diverse background. Such as on Masterchef at the moment, which is the most popular TV show, where one of the judges is Chinese, has an ethnic Chinese background, and many of the contestants, who are hugely popular.”
Yeah, look, probably not the best response to a question about racism in Australia and clearly Melissa Leong agrees.
In her interview with news.com.au, Masterchef’s Melissa Leong said, “While I am proud to play a small part in the changing face of diversity and inclusivity in Australian media, let me be clear in saying that we are so very far from where we need to be…”
Masterchef’s Melissa Leong continued, calling for better representation of Indigenous Australians, the LGBTQIA+ community and the differently-abled, saying: “Whether it’s our ancient indigenous heritage or more recent multicultural contribution, representation of the differently-abled, or those who are fighting to be accepted for how they identify or loving who they love, it is clear that we all need and deserve to feel seen and be heard. It is my hope in these difficult times that we can and will bring about lasting and positive change in this regard.”
Well said Melissa Leong, Well said. This season of Masterchef has been praised for its diversity in showcasing ethnic and queer personalities in its prime-time slot, as it should be. For more on Melissa Leong, make sure you check out our rundown of why Australia needs her.
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