Dessert Masters' Melissa Leong shows off 'unrecognisable' transformation

The beloved food critic has completely switched up her look.

Lachlan Guertin
·Senior Entertainment Reporter
Updated ·2-min read

Melissa Leong has left her followers stunned after she unveiled a surprising new look over the weekend.

The 41-year-old TV host, who recently announced she would be stepping down from her role on MasterChef after four years, has swapped her signature brunette hairstyle for an edgy blonde bob.

Former MasterChef judge Melissa Leong with blonde hair at the NGV Gala.
Former MasterChef judge Melissa Leong unveiled a major transformation over the weekend. Photo: Getty

Melissa debuted her major transformation on the red carpet at the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) Gala on Saturday night. She paired her new ‘do with a red mermaid-style gown from Alexander McQueen and Tiffany and Co. diamonds.

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Taking to Instagram following the event, Melissa shared a gallery of snaps showing off her blonde hair and confirmed it wasn’t a wig.

“The vision for this year's NGV gala: bigger, bolder, blonder,” she wrote. “The transformation was epic. This whole incognito thing was a walk on the wild side!”

Former MasterChef judge Melissa Leong with blonde hair.
Fans described Melissa’s new look as ‘literal perfection’. Photos: Instagram/fooderati

'So many double takes'

Her followers quickly flooded the comments section with compliments, describing her new look as “stunning”, “gorgeous” and “literal perfection”.

“Love your new hair darling, suits you sooo much!” one fan wrote, followed by another who added, “You are a masterpiece”.

“Arghhhh so good Mel. You are owning every part of this bold look,” a third remarked.

After one person admitted they didn’t even recognise her at the glitzy event, Melissa replied: “How good is an unrecognisable moment!

“So many double takes, I felt like I was at the supermarket!”

Maria Thattil and Moana Hope / Tony Armstrong and Rona Glynn-McDonald.
Maria Thattil and Moana Hope also attended the NGV Gala, as did Tony Armstrong and his new girlfriend Rona Glynn-McDonald. Photos: Getty

The Dessert Masters judge certainly wasn’t the only guest to turn heads at the NGV Gala, with recent couple Maria Thattil and Moana Hope both looking incredible in similar cream-coloured ensembles.

ABC presenter Tony Armstrong and his new girlfriend, musician Rona Glynn-McDonald, made their relationship red-carpet official after going public with their romance last week.

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It was also date night for Liam Hemsworth and his long-term girlfriend, model Gabriella Brooks, who first sparked romance rumours in December 2019.

Melissa’s former MasterChef co-star Andy Allen was also in attendance, as were Courtney Act, Dylan Alcott, and Heartbreak High’s Chloé Hayden.

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