Meghan Markle Sparks Petition Over MasterChef Gig

Meghan Markle is slated to appear as a special guest on Junior MasterChef Australia in 2027. She will co-host alongside chef Poh Ling Yeow, reuniting after a previous collaboration on the main MasterChef series in April. Filming is scheduled for early-to-mid 2027 in Melbourne, Australia.

However, the announcement has drawn significant backlash. A petition launched on Change.org, titled 'Remove Meghan Markle From Junior Masterchef Australia!', has garnered over 2,400 signatures. Critics argue that public figures influencing young audiences should uphold ethical standards and that the role should be given to Australian talent.

The petition cites "recent controversies and questionable actions" associated with Markle. Signatories express a strong preference for local talent, with comments emphasizing "Aussie talent for Aussie shows" and criticizing the casting as "stunt casting."