Meghan Markle’s
highly anticipated appearance on MasterChef Australia
appears to have delivered exactly what producers were hoping for, with the
special episode attracting one of the program’s strongest Sunday audiences of
the season despite weeks of online calls for a boycott.
When the Duchess of Sussex was first announced as a
celebrity guest judge earlier this year, the reaction online was deeply
divided. Some viewers insisted they would skip the episode entirely.
However, when
Sunday night finally arrived, the television ratings told a very different
story.
According to TV
Tonight, 1.16
million viewers tuned in to watch Meghan join the judging
panel, making it one of the highest-rated Sunday episodes of the current
season.
The figures
suggest that curiosity surrounding the Duchess ultimately proved stronger than
the criticism that had dominated social media in the weeks leading up to the
broadcast.
A Strong Ratings Performance
The episode
attracted an audience of 1,160,000 viewers,
placing it among the most successful Sunday broadcasts of the season.
Only two
episodes performed better:
- The season
premiere, which attracted approximately 1.301 million viewers
- Sweet Week's
opening episode featuring celebrity pastry chef Adriano Zumbo, which
reached around 1.175
million viewers
That means
Meghan's appearance became the third highest-rated Sunday episode
of the season—a result many television analysts had not expected after months
of online debate.
Rather than
hurting the program, the intense discussion surrounding Meghan's appearance may
actually have encouraged more people to watch.
Meghan's Cooking Challenge
Instead of
simply making a brief appearance, Meghan played an active role throughout the
episode.
She challenged
contestants to create dishes built around seasonal ingredients that she
personally enjoys cooking with.
Among the
featured ingredients were:
- Strawberries
- Carrots
- Celeriac
Contestants
were also encouraged to explain the personal memories and stories connected to
their chosen ingredients, adding an emotional element alongside the cooking
competition.
Throughout the
episode, Meghan appeared enthusiastic about tasting the dishes, speaking with
contestants and hearing the inspiration behind their meals.
Meghan was so excited to be on the show.(MasterChef)
One Moment That Quickly Went Viral
One of the
evening's most talked-about moments arrived during the traditional 30-minute
warning.
Normally,
MasterChef judges loudly announce the remaining cooking time across the
kitchen.
Meghan chose a
different approach.
Rather than
shouting to the contestants from the front of the room, she walked around the
kitchen individually, quietly reminding each cook how much time remained.
The small
gesture immediately attracted attention online.
Many viewers
described it as thoughtful, personal and refreshingly different from the show's
usual routine.
For some, it
became the defining moment of the entire episode.
Viewers React After Watching
While
discussion before the broadcast had largely focused on whether viewers would
tune in at all, reactions after the episode became noticeably more positive.
Many
Australian viewers praised Meghan's calm manner and her interactions with
contestants.
One viewer
commented:
"What a
lovely, elegant, down-to-earth lady. I thoroughly enjoyed tonight. It was made
even better because the contestants produced wonderful dishes. A night to
remember."
Another wrote:
"It was
an awesome episode. Meghan came across as warm and genuine. The contestants
clearly enjoyed having her there."
Several
viewers also praised the producers for selecting guest judges who contributed
naturally to the competition rather than dominating it.
Others admitted
that, despite previously being skeptical, they were pleasantly surprised after
watching the full episode.
One viewer
commented:
"I'm not
usually a fan of Meghan, but I actually found her very watchable. The
contestants obviously enjoyed meeting her."
Another added:
"Credit
where credit is due."
For many viewers, the episode became less about royal headlines and more about seeing Meghan interact naturally with passionate home cooks.
A Different Side of Meghan
The MasterChef
appearance also highlighted Meghan's long-standing interest in food and home
cooking.
Before
becoming a member of the Royal Family, she frequently shared recipes and
lifestyle content, and more recently she returned to that interest through her
Netflix series With Love, Meghan.
Appearing on
MasterChef Australia allowed audiences to see that side of her personality
again.
Rather than
focusing on royal life, the episode centered on food, family memories and the
creativity of the contestants.
That shift in
focus appeared to resonate with many viewers.
From Boycott Calls to Ratings
Success
When Channel
10 first announced Meghan's appearance several months ago, social media quickly
filled with criticism from both supporters and critics of the Duchess.
Some users
vowed they would avoid watching altogether.
Yet the final
viewing figures suggest that public curiosity ultimately outweighed online
opposition.
Television
history has often shown that controversial guest appearances generate
additional interest, and this episode appears to have followed that pattern.
Whether
viewers tuned in to support Meghan, criticize her or simply satisfy their
curiosity, the audience numbers indicate that millions wanted to see how the
episode unfolded.
A Successful Night for MasterChef
For MasterChef
Australia, the episode represented one of the strongest ratings performances of
the season.
For Meghan
Markle, it offered an opportunity to present herself in a very different
setting—away from royal headlines and political debate, and instead surrounded
by passionate cooks, personal stories and creative food.
Judging by both the viewing figures and many of the
audience reactions that followed, the special episode appears to have exceeded
expectations and become one of the season's most widely discussed installments.
Post a Comment