George Calombaris is opening up like never before about the pitfalls of MasterChef fame during his time on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!. And in an exclusive preview, the former reality TV judge, whose life and career imploded after his company was found to have underpaid more than 500 staff $7.8 million in wages, reveals that that level of fame was a double-edged sword.
“No-one prepares you for it,” he says in his confessional. “My MasterChef experience, that wicked thing called fame comes with it, and it’s a double-edged sword. You have to navigate through it, and the worst thing is, you get a bit Teflon-like, you think that you can do anything.”
In a candid chat with campmate Conchetta Caristo, the 47-year-old admitted he “learned a lot of lessons” from the experience — and has plenty of regrets.
“I learned lots of lessons, definitely lots of lessons, things that I regret, I probably shouldn’t have done,” he tells Conchetta.
“And, you know, people pump your ego up, you’re invincible… You get a bit carried away. You arrive in India and you’re like a fricking rockstar, you know, there’s a personal butler waiting at the front of my hotel room door, all day long, all night.”
Asked by the 37-year-old comedian if it was only a matter of time before the bubble has to burst, George doesn’t hesitate.
“Of course,” he replies.
The scandal that nearly broke him
Speaking about “the most horrific year” of his life, George previously admitted that he was in a pretty dark place while the scandal unfolded. Thankfully, he made it out the other side.
“I had great friends and obviously two young children that I knew I wanted to be around for them forever, despite going through the darkest, horrible time,” he explained to TV WEEK.
“And yet it there were moments that were grim. I had great humans around me. There’s a lot of people that don’t have that and that’s why I want people struggling to do me a favour — reach out.”
George says his motivation for going on I’m A Celeb was two-fold — reputation rehab and an opportunity to speak out for his chosen charity, Beyond Blue.
“That’s what I love about this show, it gives so much awareness about these fascinating, different causes people might not know about,” he explained.
“I’ve used the jungle as an opportunity, selfishly, for myself, but more importantly, to promote [mental health] awareness because too many of my colleagues are taking their lives or have taken their lives.”
Inspired by fellow chef Jock Zonfrillo
Admittedly, George isn’t the first MasterChef alum to speak out about mental health. Jock Zonfrillo, who passed away in 2023, shared openly about his struggles with depression and anxiety.
“I did know Jock,” George says, noting that he attended the award-winning chef’s funeral.
“And I’m so grateful now we’re talking about mental health in the industry because as chefs we never used to. It was taboo. It’s important that we communicate and support each other.”
Through honest conversations, George hopes that Australia will get to see a new side of him in the jungle.
“For 11 years on MasterChef, people got to see George Calombaris as a mentor and a chef. You’ve seen 10 per cent of me. Hopefully, you’re going to see the real George — or, the rest of George — the other 90 per cent that only my family, my best mates, my work colleagues, who I’m very close with, have seen.
“I’m very grateful for the opportunity to show that side of myself.”
I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! continues Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 7.30pm, and Sunday at 7pm. Watch + Stream Free On 10.
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