Melissa Leong is set to join KIIS FM as a guest host for its breakfast radio program, marking a new opportunity after a series of career challenges. The announcement comes after the cancellation of "The Kyle and Jackie O Show" earlier this year.
Leong, 44, confirmed her upcoming role on social media, sharing a teaser that hinted at a new breakfast host. "Not just 'yet another'. This one's me!" she wrote on Instagram. "Thrilled to be back on the air and in your ears as your guest host! See you next week on @kiis1065! Tell your mum!"
Her upcoming radio gig follows the unexpected axing of her new SBS series, "Taste of Art," just hours before its scheduled premiere in May. The show was dropped by SBS after Leong's co-host, chef Vaughan Mabee, became involved in a workplace misconduct scandal.
Leong expressed her "great disappointment" regarding the circumstances that led to her project's cancellation. A source told the Daily Mail Australia that the axing represented a significant setback, describing the series as an "important reset project" that instead became "another setback tied to controversy and bad timing."
This latest development comes after scrutiny of Leong's television future following her departure from "MasterChef Australia" in 2023. While SBS has not confirmed if "Taste of Art" will be aired at a later date, sources suggest the likelihood is slim. Insiders noted the "incredibly unfortunate timing" for Leong, stating that although she was not involved in the allegations, the situation could impact public perception due to its association with "disappointment and instability."
Leong has previously stated that her exit from "MasterChef Australia" in 2023 was on her own terms after a four-year tenure. A Channel 10 spokesperson cited "scheduling issues" for her departure, amidst rumors of a rift with fellow judges. Following "MasterChef Australia," Leong appeared on the network's "Dessert Masters."