'MasterChef' Season 4 Contestants Sexually Harassed by Judges?
"MasterChef" season 4 is well underway, with several contestants vying for the title, the fame, and the chance to have their own cookbook published. However, one former contestant has published allegations that the three famous judges sexually harassed other contestants.
Marie Porter, a well-known blogger, is recapping every episode of the popular Fox series and made startling revelations in her latest blog entry. Porter claimed that at least two of her friends were sexually harassed by judges Joe Bastianich, Graham Elliot, and Gordon Ramsay.
"Two of my MasterChef friends have had suicidal thoughts since coming back [from the show], as a result of the treatment out there. One friend was sexually harassed by the judges to the point that she had her lawyers get her edited out of the show completely. (As part of it, one of the judges told her that the only way he'd have an appreciation for her is if he was looking at her naked body!). Two of my friends were physically assaulted – one by production, one by a judge," Porter wrote.
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While no evidence of the assault and harassment has been brought forward, at least one contestant, Carrie Stevens, wrote that Porter was telling the truth.
"Everything Marie says is absolute truth. While I do not want to be a part of this snafu either… I have moved on from my bad MC experience… Marie is reporting facts. I witnessed it. These shows need to start being honest to potential contestants about what they are getting into, and the 'personalities' or 'judges' on these shows need to get over themselves and have some empathy for the people they are ridiculing," Stevens posted.
"Contestants on MASTERCHEF are treated with the utmost respect and professionalism and we care tremendously about their well being. The recent comments posted about the treatment of contestants are completely without merit," Shine America, producer of "MasterChef" said in a statement.
"MasterChef" airs Wednesday nights on Fox.
