You probably know Khanh Ong as one of Masterchef’s most beloved contestants across the entire series.
I’ve known Khanh for a little over a decade, and in that time I’ve watched him flourish from a fresh-faced 19 year old to now an incredible cook, television personality, author, restaurant owner and a staunch advocate for the LGBTQI+ community.
But life hasn’t always been easy, despite what his glittering Instagram aesthetic and infectious smile will have you believe.
Born in a refugee camp in Indonesia, encountering racism and bullying when settling in Australia, realising he was gay and coming out to the world, the untimely death of his father to liver cancer and his subsequent mental breakdown – Khanh’s story is testament to the fact life can throw you many, many lemons but it’s what you do with them that ultimately shape who you are as a person.
This is honestly one of favourite Lemonade episodes – partly because it’s unlike any other I’ve done and if you’re an avid listener, you’ll know what I mean as soon as it begins!
It’s free-flowing and hilarious but also gets really deep and profound in parts - just like my friendship with Khanh, really!
This is part two of my conversation with Khanh. If you haven't listened to part 1 yet, do that first so that this one makes a whole lot more sense.
A content warning with this one if you’ve got little ears around.