Julie Goodwin
Julie Goodwin

Julie Goodwin, the beloved MasterChef Australia winner, has faced a wave of public scrutiny following her noticeable weight loss, prompting questions and unfounded speculation about her health.

The 54-year-old TV cook has now spoken out, setting the record straight in a powerful social media post — and even earning support from fellow chef Colin Fassnidge in the process.

The conversation began after Goodwin posted a recent selfie on Instagram that showed her significantly slimmer frame. While many fans offered compliments and support, others quickly turned to concern and, in some cases, outright criticism. Comments such as 'She looks like a skeleton' and 'Are you okay Julie? You don't look okay' flooded the post, with some even questioning if she was seriously unwell.

'Thanks to all who have expressed concern about my health. I am well and I am within the healthy weight range. My doctor concurs,' Julie wrote in her Instagram caption. 'For those who have asked me for advice or tips, I am not qualified to provide this. It's advice that should be sought from your trusted health professionals, not from me. I'm a TV cook.'

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Body Shaming

But it was her firm stance against body shaming that truly struck a chord with many: 'For those who want to comment on the shape and condition of my body please, do it on your own page because I'm tired of reading it.'

She added, 'For that reason I'll be turning off comments on this post. For all of us, can we please find something more interesting to talk about. Can we please model kindness to our kids and grandkids and can we please leave this obsession with people's looks back in the 1980s. Peace and love.'

Julie's statement came after a series of remarks from concerned or critical followers, including one who said, 'Oh Julie... too much weight loss,' and another claiming, 'She is sick. She looks shocking.'

Celebrity chef Colin Fassnidge, 51, did not hold back when he saw the online abuse. Commenting directly under Julie's post before the comments were turned off, he fired back at one troll with a simple but stinging rebuke: 'Tool.' Fans quickly followed suit, slamming the negativity and calling the critic a 'bully.' 'Disgusting comment. Grow up,' one user added.

Fassnidge and Goodwin are known to be friendly off-screen, having appeared together on My Kitchen Rules last year, and his quick defence drew praise from Goodwin's supporters.

Julie, who won the first season of MasterChef Australia in 2009, has been open in the past about her fluctuating weight. In a 2016 interview with Women's Weekly, she explained that her then-dramatic weight drop was unintentional. 'It's not that I've gone on some stupid, sad diet and dropped a whole heap of weight in a hurry,' she said. 'It's not anything like that. I am running a business and running around like a mad thing, and sometimes I forget to eat, none of which is healthy.'

Her most recent transformation follows continued appearances on Australian television, including Dancing with the Stars in 2024. In the new photos, Julie let her grey hair show naturally and wore her signature wide-frame glasses. She appeared in good spirits as she encouraged followers to try her chicken pie with potato bake topping.

Still, despite assurances that she is healthy and happy, the conversation surrounding her body image has persisted. Supporters, however, continue to drown out the negativity. 'Can everyone stop commenting on Julie's weight and telling her she's too thin?' one fan posted. 'If she had always looked like this, no-one would say anything. Just be happy for her that she's happy, her doctor's happy, and she's healthy!'

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