MasterChef evictee Kristen Sheffield slams fans for ‘bullying’

MasterChef evictee Kristen Sheffield has hit out at a portion of the show’s fans for launching ‘personal attacks, bullying and harassment’.

On Friday, the 27-year-old budding chef praised viewers in general and insisted the majority were supportive – but said the negative comments sting.

She responded to the keyboard warriors in an interview with Ten Daily, declaring: ‘People need to be reminded: We are real people putting ourselves out there, having a go.’

‘I get dozens of messages every day, with lovely messages saying I’ve encouraged people to come out of their shells [but] there’s always going to be that drop of negativity in the ocean.’

The publication also highlighted one of Kristen’s Twitter comments, where she referenced vile online bullying suffered by her co-star, Chloe Carroll.

Chloe – a nutritionist by trade – has previously voiced her disappointment in some of the show’s fans, who have been angered by some of the meals she’s made thus far.

Negativity: ‘I get dozens of messages every day with lovely messages saying I’ve encouraged people to come out of their shells [but] there’s always going to be that drop of negativity in the ocean’ she revealed in an interview on Friday

‘A lot of people have been judging me because I’m a nutritionist,’ she told Mamamia in June.’

‘They’re surprised I’ve been making desserts and things that haven’t been particularly healthy.’

Kristen expressed her bewilderment at the situation after a fan asked her about it on Twitter. 

REALity: In a message directed to online trolls, Kristen said; ‘Every now and then there are comments that are made and people need to be reminded: we are real people putting ourselves out there, having a go’

‘This is not okay’: Kristen also took to Twitter to hit out at vile online bullying suffered by her co-star, Chloe Carroll (pictured right)

‘This is not ok. No one deserves this. We are real people,’ she said of the hate Chloe has received.

‘Yes we have put ourselves on reality television, yes you are all going to have opinions on us, but personal attacks, bullying and harassment is never ok.’

Kristen also highlighted what she perceives to be a damaging trend in the labels ‘attractive’ female contestant are often given by fans and the media.

‘I think in the last few seasons there have been people calling young attractive females “favourites” and I don’t think that’s called for,’ she said.

‘It’s contributing to wider issues in society.’

Kristen didn’t elaborate, but the topic of conversation at the time was gender equality and body image. 

Damaging: ‘I think in the last few seasons there have been people calling young attractive females “favourites” and I don’t think that’s called for,’ she said. ‘It’s contributing to wider issues in society’