“Everyone grieves differently. It might be still too soon for her to speak/open up. I hope she’s okay,” another fan wrote online.
“Andy was struggling enough. I’m thinking Melissa just couldn’t do it. Everybody grieves differently, and people only discuss that grief when they are ready (if ever),” another noted.
Others noted that Allen fought to hold back tears while being interviewed on the show.
“It would have been so hard. Well done to Andy for sharing his thoughts/grief. Saddest week ever,” another commented.
During The Project Interview, Allen admitted through tears while seated in the MasterChef Australia kitchen, “I want to say I’m okay but yeah, I’m not great.”
“This has hit me like a ton of bricks. You know, he’s the heart and soul of this place, and it’s really hard being in here. This is the toughest that it’s actually hit me.”
Last week, Leong cancelled an appearance at an event at the Sydney Opera House amid news of her co-host’s death.
She was set to host a live Q&A with American chef and author Alison Roman on Tuesday, but it was announced last Thursday that she would no longer appear.
In an email sent to ticketholders, a spokesperson for Sydney Opera House wrote, “Following the sad news of the passing of her colleague and friend Jock Zonfrillo, Melissa Leong is no longer able to join Alison Roman in conversation on Tuesday, May 9.”
MasterChef Australia season two winner Adam Liaw will replace Leong at the event.
