Controversial My Kitchen Rules Stars: Where Are They Now?

It’s the Channel Seven cooking show that has been tantalising Australian tastebuds for more than a decade.

And, like most reality shows, My Kitchen Rules has been no stranger to drama and controversy over its 15-year history.

Most recently, contestants Michael Edelberg and Rielli Portegys bluntly dismissed competitors Lauren Argyle and Lilli McKay, slamming their hometown of Logan as a ‘slum’.

There have also been accusations from former castmates of low pay and long hours without overtime.

Also, after the 2024 finale, fans accused the show of being ‘rigged’ as winner Simone already owned two restaurants in Brisbane.

Over the years, the series has seen its fair share of controversial personalities, as well.

Here’s a look at what happened to the most divisive stars in My Kitchen Rules history. 

Claudean Uamaki-Mu  and Anthony Mu (2023)

Claudean and Anthony appeared on the 2023 season of My Kitchen Rules, billed as a ‘fiery Italian and super chill Samoan’ 

The couple lasted 13 episodes before being eliminated.

While they largely avoided drama during their time on the series, they may well go down in history as one of the most controversial couples to appear on the series.

The reason? In 2023, Claudean was accused of eight counts of rape, one sexual assault, 17 counts of indecent treatment of children under 16, two charges of torture, four allegations of assault occasioning bodily harm – two of them whilst armed/in company and two common assault offences. 

Additionally, Anthony faced charges of seven counts of assault occasioning bodily harm.

The couple were subject to a suppression order until April this year when Claudean pleaded guilty to six historical common assault offences. 

The court heard that she had kicked, hit and spat on a child.

Claudean was sentenced to a $1,000, 12-month good behaviour bond with no convictions recorded.

She faces 12 other charges, including rape, and will stand trial at the Queensland District Court at a date to be determined.

Dozens of other charges against her have been dropped, including torture.

Meanwhile, Anthony pleaded not guilty to seven charges, including assault occasioning bodily harm, common assault and observations in breach of privacy, at the start of his hearing at Richlands Magistrates Court in July. 

The summary trial was adjourned until October.

Pete Evans (2010 – 2020)

While he sat at the opposite side of the table, alongside Manu Feildel, former host Pete Evans is certainly not without controversy.

Pete has faced a string of controversies over the past few years for his controversial views about COVID-19 and bizarre conspiracy theories.

The once-popular TV star attracted scrutiny for peddling anti-vaccine conspiracies and was fined $25,000 for spruiking a light machine he claimed helped cure COVID.

In May 2020, it was announced that Pete had parted ways with Channel Seven, after ten years as a judge on My Kitchen Rules alongside Manu Feildel and guest judge Colin Fassnidge.

It effectively marked his break from the mainstream after years of flirting with off-the-wall ideas during his tenure at the network.

Free from the contractual constraints of mainstream network television, he began spouting his non-scientific beliefs about vaccines and the COVID-19 pandemic on social media.

In July 2020, Pete sparked outrage when he falsely claimed COVID-19 was a ‘f***ing hoax’ and that the pandemic ‘doesn’t compare to what is happening in the world on a large scale’.

In May 2021, he was slapped with an $80,000 fine for trying to cash in again on COVID by flogging more fake treatments online.

It was the second time he ran afoul of authorities after previously being fined $25,000 for trying to sell his so-called BioCharger for $15,000 apiece on Facebook.

Now, the anti-vaxxer is shifting into the cryptocurrency sphere, as he revealed on Instagram in April he was due to speak at a Las Vegas Bitcoin convention in May.

In a rare public appearance this month, Pete doubled down on his controversial COVID comments. 

‘The reaction to the whole thing, I believe was a scam and a hoax,’ Pete said on the Get Harder podcast. 

And I still stand by that. I think the lockdown in Melbourne was an absolute disaster. … I thought it stunk.’ 

Sonya Mefaddi and Hadil Faiza (2018)

Sonya and Hadil were famously booted out of the competition by judges Manu Feildel and Pete Evans, after a dinner party showdown with rivals Jess Alvial and Emma Byron, known as the ‘Botox sisters’.

Tensions reached a fever pitch when Sonya and Hadil made disparaging comments about Jess and Emma’s looks, leading Manu and Pete to kick them off the show.

An astonishing 2.39million viewers tuned in to watch the argument take place.

Speaking about the pair’s behaviour on the Kyle & Jackie O show in 2020, Colin Fassnidge said the pair had hurt the show’s ratings.

‘I think we’re getting crucified for a little incident a couple of years ago with Sonya and Hadil. Remember they got kicked out?’ he said. 

‘The drama went through the roof and a lot of people got turned off,’ he added.  

Since their unceremonious exit from MKR, Sonya appears to have stepped away from the culinary world completely.

She has since launched the fashion label Sonya Moda, as well as continuing to run the agency Fashion Palette.

Hadil, meanwhile, appears to have shunned the spotlight, preferring to keep herself away from social media. 

Josh Meeuwissen (2017)

When it comes to controversial characters on My Kitchen Rules, few have been as divisive as Josh Meeuwissen. 

The self-described seafood king appeared with his wife Amy on the 2017 iteration of the series and quickly emerged as the season’s villain for his outspoken opinions on other contestants’ dishes.

Josh drew the ire of contestants and viewers after he harshly called his rival participant Amy Murr a ‘s***’. 

His shocking comment caused his wife Amy to storm out.

Speaking on the MKR 10th Anniversary Special in 2019, Pete Evans, Manu Feildel and Colin Fassnidge collectively named Josh as the worst contestant. 

‘We had an outrageous team from Broome,’ Pete said while Colin added, ‘I think he fell out with Australia, not just the table.’

Manu replied: ‘I just couldn’t believe how confident he was and how critical he was to others, but couldn’t even deliver himself.’ 

These days, Josh appears to still be living up to his self-styled moniker of ‘seafood king’, with his Instagram full of fishing adventures and latest catches. 

Amy, who managed to avoid on-camera controversy, has apparently opted to shun the spotlight, with her social media accounts set to private.

It is unclear if the couple are still together; however, it seems that Josh may have moved on with photos on his Instagram featuring the former reality star cuddling up to a woman named Danielle Meeuwissen.

Steve Flood (2015)

Steve and his partner Will Stewart claimed the MKR crown back in 2015. 

Their victory did not come without controversy, though, with Steve earning the ‘love rat’ moniker during his time on the show.

The reason? False rumours were swirling that Steve had attempted to ‘woo’ four female contestants, most notably Emma Wynne.

Steve later set the record straight, revealing that he was, in fact, in a relationship with girlfriend Caroline Groth. He is currently in a relationship with Yasmin Pattison.

Since the cameras stopped rolling, Steve has been working consistently in the food and hospitality industry.

Following their MKR win, Steve and Will were regulars on Studio 10 and published a cookbook, Home Cook, Aspiring Chef in 2016.

According to his LinkedIn, Steve currently works as a senior growth coach for burger chain Grill’d.

He has also previously spent time as a culinary and operations director for the Seagrass Boutique Hospitality Group.