‘Nothing Is True’ — The Meghan Markle MasterChef Scandal Just Got Blown Wide Open And The Judges’ Confession Changes EVERYTHING
Meghan Markle’s controversial MasterChef Australia cameo sparked plenty of headlines, but now the show’s judges have revealed what really went on behind the scenes.
Meghan Markle has been staunchly defended by MasterChef Australia judges Poh Ling Yeow and Sofia Levin, who have dismissed rumours the Duchess was difficult, rude or fake during her highly publicised cameo as “lies”.
The Duchess of Sussex, 45, appeared as a special guest judge on season 18 of MasterChef Australia in an episode that aired on Sunday, July 26.
Filmed during her visit to Australia in April, the episode saw contestants tasked with creating a dish “fit for a duchess” and featured a surprise video call from Prince Harry.
Poh Ling Yeow and Sofia Levin attend the 66th TV WEEK Logie Awards at The Star on August 16, 2026 in Sydney, Australia. Picture: Hanna Lassen/Getty Images for TV WEEK
The highly anticipated cameo delivered huge ratings for Channel 10, but also sparked reports of behind-the-scenes friction after Poh introduced Meghan using the word “royalty” in a promotional trailer.
Reports claimed Meghan’s team had requested that royal terminology not be used, allegedly causing frustration behind the scenes, while sources close to the Sussexes insisted the Duchess had a great time filming the show.
However, speaking to News24.com.au on the red carpet at the 2026 TV Week Logie Awards, Australian food journalist and MasterChef judge Sofia Levin, 36, emphatically shut down the claims.
Meghan Markle appeared as a special guest judge on season 18 of MasterChef Australia in an episode that aired on Sunday, July 26 Picture: Channel 10
“Nothing’s true,” Levin told News24.com.au when asked whether Markle or her team were difficult on the show.
“None of the bad stuff is true- she was just an absolute delight.
“I feel like people are really mean, because my experience of Meghan was that she really just loves food. We hung out when we weren’t filming- like she didn’t run off to her green room; she wanted to talk about beekeeping and her kids and the stuff that she loves to eat and cook, and it was nice; it was really nice getting to see that side of her.”
Poh Ling Yeow attends the 66th TV WEEK Logie Awards at The Star on August 16, 2026 in Sydney, Australia. Picture: Hanna Lassen/Getty Images for TV WEEK
Fellow judge Poh echoed Levin’s account, declaring “all the rumours” surrounding Meghan’s behaviour were false.
“She was really lovely- all the rumours are absolutely garbage,” the 52-year-old chef said.
“She came on the show- she was really engaged with the whole process, super professional and didn’t scurry away into the greenroom- she was really in amongst it, and everyone adored her on set.”
Asked specifically about reports that Meghan’s team was upset after Poh referred to her as “royalty”, the longtime judge and fan favourite was equally emphatic.
“It’s a lie. Everything is just a lie, essentially.”
Andy Allen, Sofia Levin and Marty Benson pose with the Best Competition Reality Program Award for “MasterChef Australia” during the 66th TV WEEK Logie Awards at The Star on August 16, 2026 in Sydney, Australia. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images
Judge Andy Allen, who did not appear in Meghan’s episode following the birth of his first child, said everything he had heard from his fellow judges and crew painted a similarly glowing picture.
“I’ve heard she was an absolute legend- really giving to the contestants with her time,” he said.
“She spent a lot of time with them and spent a lot of time with the crew. She knew people’s names and things like that- just these little things that add up. She was just awesome.”
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The judges also set the record straight on one of the episode’s most talked-about moments: Prince Harry’s surprise appearance via video call.
“It was very real,” Levin said of the 41-year-old Duke’s cameo in the middle of judging.
“It was so real that usually they tell us what’s going to happen in advance – they didn’t tell us.”
Levin revealed the unexpected interruption initially caused confusion on set, with the judges fearing there may have been a “security breach”.
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“The bit that probably didn’t make it into that edit was Poh [Ling Yeow’s] and my … faces, because we thought there had been a security breach.
“If someone sort of interrupts like that [that’s what you assume].
“And then when we saw [Harry’s] face and we sort of figured out what was happening and afterwards we [told Meghan]; You totally should have told us’.”
Levin added: “[It was] not planned from where I was standing.”
Sofia and Poh said they loved their time on set with the Duchess. Picture: Channel 10
She also confirmed Harry’s phone call was “totally legit”, with Poh backing up her account.
“It was legit- totally legit. That’s why were all so like- wow,” Poh laughed.
Levin revealed she and Meghan became friendly during filming, although she joked she “simply isn’t cool enough” to have the Duchess on speed dial.
She did, however, walk away with one particularly coveted gift: a jar of Meghan’s As Ever orange marmalade.
“I have one of Meghan’s orange marmalades, and I’m a sucker for it- beautiful packaging and quite a generous jar too.
“She [Meghan] gives presents- she’s known for her presents and her presence- and we love that.”
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Levin, who is engaged to Melbourne-based psychologist Dr Beau Growcott, even extended a cheeky invitation to the Duchess for her upcoming wedding.
“Meghan- you can come to my wedding!” she said.
Asked how MasterChef Australia could possibly top a surprise guest of such high calibre, Levin said: “I don’t know, but we manage every time don’t we,” with a wink.
Meghan’s MasterChef Australia appearance proved a ratings hit, drawing a staggering 1.6 million viewers, according to figures released by the network.
The episode delivered the show’s biggest overnight Sunday audience since July 2023 and set a new MasterChef Australia record for its largest-ever overnight streaming audience, attracting 118,000 viewers.
However, Meghan’s much-publicised cameo was ultimately beaten in the national ratings by Seven’s coverage of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
MasterChef Australia took home the Logie for Best Competition Reality Program.