Compared to the other TV WEEK Gold Logie nominees, Melissa Leong is the new kid on the block.
After first appearing on our screens on SBS’ A Chef’s Line in 2017, the 40-year-old went on to host MasterChef Australia alongside Jock Zonfrillo and Andy Allen in 2020.
With her charm, wit and eloquence, it wasn’t long until the food writer became a favourite.
“It’s not who I am as a person to expect these sort of things,” Melissa says of her Gold Logie nomination.
(Image: TV WEEK)Despite her popularity, Melissa admits being nominated for the Most Popular Personality On Australian Television took her completely by surprise.
“It’s not who I am as a person to expect these sort of things,” she tells TV WEEK.
“I think if you ask most people from a Chinese background, we don’t dare to dream about that stuff. You appreciate good fortune in your life as it is – anything else is just something wonderful that happens.”
While Melissa is elated by her nomination, she’s quick to recognise her dear friends and co-stars Jock and Andy.
“It’s not lost on me that this acknowledgement comes for a job that very much requires the three of us to really succeed,” she says.
Melissa’s nomination step in the right direction for diversity and representation on the small screen.
(Image: TV WEEK)“We’re lucky to have the chemistry and friendship we have, and the way we are, and the way we’re able to fly is with the support of the other two. I think that’s true for each of us.”
But on a larger scale, Melissa’s nomination is so much bigger than her. It’s a huge step in the right direction for diversity and representation on the small screen.
“While there’s a tremendous sense of achievement in the Gold Logie, what’s more meaningful is that no woman of colour has won. Just to be nominated is a massive achievement,” she shares.
“For the longest time, our media landscape and popular culture hasn’t accurately represented who we are as a nation.
“We’re a deeply multicultural place. We’re also a deeply ancient place. To not be showing those faces, voices and stories is a disservice to how special Australia is.
“The nomination is a massive symbol to people who haven’t seen themselves in the media before – regardless of whether or not they look or sound like me – to be reminded that anything is possible.
“It’s a distinct honour that it happens to be me and not someone else, but had it been someone else, I’d be applauding the loudest, because we need this as a nation.”
