MasterChef Australia star Juan De La Cruz Torales Villarreal has been exposed for already being a reality television veteran.
The board game designer, 39, was interrogated by judges on Sunday night’s episode when he served up Asado Argentino to save himself from elimination.
It was promptly revealed the aspiring chef was a contestant on the Argentinian version of Popstars when he was just 17-years-old.
‘I heard a rumour that you used to be a popstar,’ judge Poh Ling Yeow said after Juan explained the dish he served up with a side of domino potatoes.
‘Many ages ago. When I was 17 I was part of the reality show Popstars,’ Juan explained.
MasterChef Australia star Juan De La Cruz Torales Villarreal, 39, (pictured) was exposed for already being a reality television veteran on Sunday night when he was up for elimination
Food writer Sofia Levin added: ‘I cannot wait to Google you.’
Channel Ten later shared a throwback photo of Juan to the MasterChef Australia Instagram page, which showed him as a teenager.
During his appearance on the reality television franchise Popstars, Juan rocked a much longer haircut and donned aviator sunglasses popular in the early 2000s.
It was promptly revealed the aspiring chef was a contestant on the Argentinian version of Popstars when he was just 17-years-old
Wearing a pair of dog tags around his neck in the photo, the cook flashed his usual infectious smile.
Thankfully, Juan’s Asado Argentino dish and Popstar history saved him from elimination, as nurse-turned-home cook Lily Davies was sent home instead.
The 30-year-old was the fifth contestant eliminated so far during this season, along with Khristian Walker and Jonathan Hooper who left last week.
‘Many ages ago. When I was 17 I was part of the reality show Popstars,’ Juan explained. Channel Ten later shared a throwback photo of Juan to the MasterChef Australia Instagram page
Steph Griffen was sent home the week before, and James Holmes was the first of the series to be eliminated just days earlier.
Season 16 saw a shake-up among the judges this year as several new judges were brought in to replace Melissa Leong and Jock Zonfrillo after his death last year.
Andy Allen returned to the Channel Ten cooking show alongside some new faces on the panel lineup, including former contestant 50-year-old Poh.
They are joined by Melbourne-based food critic Sofia, 34, and French celebrity chef Jean-Christophe Novelli.
