When Laura Sharrad was crowned the winner of MasterChef Australia 2025 on 12 August, the celebration was short-lived. Within hours, social media erupted with accusations of favoritism and claims that the grand finale had been “rigged from the start” — prompting judge Poh Ling Yeow to publicly call the backlash “ludicrous.”

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Winner: Laura Sharrad · Runner-up: Callum Hann · Winning margin: 7 points · Finale date: 12 Aug 2025 · Key issue: Two endings filmed

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • No confirmed reports of two alternate endings filmed
  • Unverified betting odds favoritism claims
  • Extent of judge Andy Allen’s alleged bias
3Timeline signal
  • Series 17 announced 16 Sep 2024 (Wikipedia)
  • Premiere 28 Apr 2025 (Wikipedia)
  • Grand finale 12 Aug 2025 (Wikipedia)
4What’s next

The table below outlines the key facts surrounding the MasterChef Australia 2025 Back to Win season and its controversy-plagued grand finale.

Field Value
Season 2025 Back to Win
Winner Laura Sharrad
Date announced 12 Aug 2025
Top controversy Rigged finale claims
Judges Andy Allen, Sofia Levin, Jean-Christophe Novelli, Poh Ling Yeow
Format 24 returning contestants

Who was accused of favoritism on MasterChef?

Fan accusations of judge favoritism are not new to MasterChef Australia. Discussions on Reddit and fan forums have long traced claims of uneven scoring back to specific seasons and contestants.

Historical favoritism claims

Across previous seasons, viewers have accused judges of favoring certain contestants — particularly those who received notably more screen time or whose cooking styles aligned with judge preferences. Season 17 saw similar patterns emerge early, with Laura Sharrad drawing repeated scrutiny for her frequent pasta dishes, which critics called “playing it safe.”

Links to 2025 rigging suspicions

The 2025 backlash intensified long before the finale aired. Sportsbet listed Sharrad as the top betting favorite from early in the season, fueling speculation that producers had already decided the outcome. One viewer comment on TV Blackbox captured the sentiment: “It was all rigged for lauraaa to win it. Andy made that she would win. It is darling little pet.”

Fan comment on TV Blackbox (2025)

What are the allegations against Gary Mehigan?

Former judge Gary Mehigan remains one of the most recognizable figures from MasterChef Australia’s early success, though his exit from the show was contentious.

Lawsuit details

Mehigan was sued for $167,000 over unpaid bills related to a catering business, according to reports. The legal dispute created negative press that some fans argue contributed to broader distrust in the show’s operations.

Career aftermath

Despite the controversy, Mehigan maintained his role as a Cancer Research Ambassador. His departure from the show predated series 17, but critics point to events like his lawsuit as evidence of past organizational issues that echo in current complaints about transparency.

Why this matters

The Mehigan lawsuit underscores how backstage disputes can undermine viewer trust years later. When Laura Sharrad’s win sparked accusations of “rigging,” some fans reached back to past scandals for context.

Was MasterChef Australia 2025 rigged?

The accusation that series 17 was rigged has become the defining controversy of the 2025 season, with fans and commentators sharply divided.

Fan reactions on Reddit

Online forums lit up immediately after the finale. Viewers called the grand finale “embarrassing” and “one-sided,” with many claiming the result was predetermined. The intensity of reactions — ranging from disappointment to outright hostility — suggested deeper frustrations than a single competitive outcome.

Two endings controversy

One persistent rumor claims that producers filmed two alternate endings — one where Laura Sharrad wins and another where Callum Hann prevails. No confirmed reports from official sources back this claim, and New Idea notes it likely stems from Reddit speculation rather than verifiable reporting. Producers have not issued a public response to rigging allegations.

What to watch

The lack of official producer comment leaves the “two endings” claim in limbo. Without an official denial or confirmation, fan speculation is likely to persist into the 2026 season.

Are Sarah Todd and Declan Cleary still together?

Contestants Sarah Todd and Declan Cleary became a subplot within the season itself, with their relationship generating its own fan interest.

Relationship timeline

The two began dating during filming of series 17 and moved in together after their elimination, according to Wikipedia’s coverage of the season. Their relationship status reportedly remains active as of August 2025.

2025 season mentions

While neither advanced to the finale, their presence contributed to season-wide drama beyond cooking challenges. Fan questions about whether they remain together continue to appear in search trends, suggesting ongoing audience investment in their story.

What happened in the MasterChef Australia 2025 grand finale?

The 12 August grand finale delivered a narrow victory that satisfied few viewers, despite the technical excellence judges praised.

Laura Sharrad’s win

Laura Sharrad defeated Callum Hann 80-73 after both contestants scored 38 out of 40 in the first challenge, forcing a pressure test. Sharrad’s Adelaide background and restaurant Nido have informed her cooking style throughout the season. This was her third attempt at the MasterChef title, having come close in seasons 6 and 12.

Judge responses

Poh Ling Yeow emerged as the most vocal defender of the result. Speaking to Refinery29 Australia ahead of the finale, she called criticisms “ludicrous” and expressed bafflement at the scale of backlash. Her defense positioned the criticism as unfair to Sharrad personally rather than a legitimate question about competition integrity.

Poh Ling Yeow (MasterChef Australia judge), via TV Blackbox

“The criticisms are ludicrous. I’m baffled by the scale of the backlash.”

Confirmed

  • Laura Sharrad won by 7 points (80-73)
  • Two endings claim is unverified
  • Producers have not responded officially
  • Season 18 returns in 2026

Unclear

  • Extent of alleged judge favoritism
  • Whether betting odds influenced perception
  • Full details on first challenge scoring

The implication: without producer transparency before season 18, viewer trust may continue eroding.

Bottom line: Laura Sharrad’s narrow 80-73 victory over Callum Hann sparked accusations of rigging that remain officially unaddressed by producers. Viewers demand transparency from the show before the 2026 season. Fans defending Sharrad focus on her third-attempt achievement and cooking merits rather than dismissing all criticism as irrational.

Quotes

Poh Ling Yeow (MasterChef Australia judge), via TV Blackbox

“The criticisms are ludicrous. I’m baffled by the scale of the backlash.”

Anonymous viewer, via TV Blackbox

“It was all rigged for lauraaa to win it. Andy made that she would win. It is darling little pet.”

Anonymous viewer, via TV Blackbox

“It’s not unfair criticism at all — it’s a fact that it was a one-sided Grand Final.”

The controversy surrounding Laura Sharrad’s win exposes a deeper tension in reality cooking competitions: when audiences invest emotionally in contestants over a long season, close results invite scrutiny that goes beyond food quality. For Australian viewers, the choice is becoming clearer: either the show addresses rigging accusations head-on before season 18, or the credibility cost compounds with each passing month.

Who won MasterChef Australia 2025?

Laura Sharrad won MasterChef Australia 2025 (series 17), defeating Callum Hann 80-73 in the grand finale on 12 August 2025.

Why did fans call the 2025 finale embarrassing?

Fans accused the show of being “rigged” after Laura Sharrad was crowned winner. Critics pointed to her season-long favoritism claims, excessive pasta dishes, and alleged judge bias as evidence of a predetermined outcome.

What did Laura Sharrad say about the finale?

Laura Sharrad’s public comments about the controversy were limited. Judge Poh Ling Yeow defended her, calling criticisms “ludicrous” and expressing bafflement at the backlash scale.

Who are the top 3 in MasterChef Australia 2025?

The grand finale featured Laura Sharrad (winner) and Callum Hann (runner-up). Both scored 38 out of 40 in the first challenge, leading to a pressure test.

What are MasterChef Australia 2025 judges?

Series 17 judges were Andy Allen, Sofia Levin, Jean-Christophe Novelli, and Poh Ling Yeow.

Is there Reddit discussion on 2025 winner controversy?

Yes. Reddit and fan forums contain extensive threads debating whether the finale was rigged, with accusations focusing on judge Andy Allen’s alleged favoritism toward Laura Sharrad.

What happened to Depinder on MasterChef?

Depinder Chhibbar was a contestant in series 13 (2021). Search interest in Depinder appears to reflect viewer curiosity about past contestants’ trajectories, though Depinder was not in the 2025 Back to Win season.


Related reading: 2025 AFL Grand Final: Brisbane Lions Beat Geelong Score & Highlights · 2025 AFL Grand Final Result: Brisbane Lions Premiership

Additional sources

newidea.com.au

Rigging allegations in the 2025 finale echo heated fan debates from MasterChef Australia’s Back to Win 2024 season, where eliminated contestants returned to compete fiercely.