She’s competing for the reality show’s major prize with her high school friend Suong.
And My Kitchen Rules star Kim has revealed the reason behind her shock absence from the cooking show on Monday’s episode.
The 38-year-old spoke with New Idea about the heartbreaking personal tragedy that lead her to temporarily leave the popular television series.
My Kitchen Rules star Kim has revealed the reason behind her shock absence from the cooking show on Monday’s episode
During filming Kim received a ‘devastating’ call from her mother about her terminally ill sister, Lan, with doctors advising the family they should say their final goodbyes.
‘I had to leave MKR. I had to go, I couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t see Lan,’ she told the magazine.
‘If she passed away and I hadn’t said goodbye, then I would’ve lived with that guilt for the rest of my life. I wouldn’t wish that situation on anyone,’ she continued.
‘I had to leave MKR. I had to go, I couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t see Lan,’ she told the magazine
Kim’s sister Lan was diagnosed with inoperable brain and lung cancer in 2009.
Kim explained how prior to the show, Lan’s tumour in her lung ‘had gone down in size’ but while taping the show her brain tumour had ‘basically grown overnight’.
‘My mum said, “This is your dream to be on MKR, your big opportunity”, but the guilt was too much,’ she reflected.
‘My mum said, “This is your dream to be on MKR, your big opportunity”, but the guilt was too much,’ she reflected
The Melbourne-based mother said she also felt bad leaving her partner Suong, fearing the show’s producers wouldn’t let her continue to compete on the show.
After series executives relieved her worries and found a way for Suong to stay on during her absence, a ‘grateful’ Kim went home to spend time with her sister.
After a four-day vigil with Lan who is now ‘living day by day’, Kim returned to the show and is again competing for this season’s title with partner Suong.
Back on track: After a four-day vigil with Lan who is now ‘living day by day’, Kim returned to the show and is again competing for this season’s title with partner Suong