Poh Ling Yeow has spoken openly about leaving the Mormon Church and having a “tumultuous” marriage with her first husband.
Ahead of her appearance on Australian Story, the MasterChef Australia star told ABC her relationship with Matt Phipps was “fiery” from the start and the couple had wild screaming fights.
“Matt and I absolutely killed each other,” the 49-year-old said of her former spouse, whom she married in 1990 and divorced in 1999.
Poh Ling Yeow (pictured) has spoken openly about leaving the Mormon Church and experiencing a “tumultuous” marriage with her first husband
The chef recalled a “nuclear” fight in which she threw muffin mix at her husband.
“It was just on. We were screaming at each other like absolute maniacs,” she explained to ABC.
The couple, who met at a church in Adelaide, were both Mormons – but were beginning to question their shared beliefs.
Ahead of her appearance on Australian Story, the MasterChef Australia star told ABC her relationship with Matt Phipps was “fiery” from the start and the couple had wild screaming fights. Pictured on their wedding day
Eventually, they decided to leave the religion, which shocked their families.
“It was incredibly controversial. A huge cloud rose. Probably for the first time in my life. I felt completely free,” says Poh.
The star has maintained a close friendship with her ex over the years – although he later married her best friend Sarah Rich.
The couple, who met at a church in Adelaide, were both Mormons – but were beginning to question their shared beliefs. Depicted as a teenager with her family
While most people would struggle to come to terms with such a bizarre turn of events, Poh said she was grateful for how it all turned out.
“It was hard to swallow at first,” Poh told ABC of the romance between her ex and her best friend, who the couple met in 1996.
“But I could actually see this calmness that Matt had around Sarah. I thought I would never get that out of him. We just don’t work that way.”
The star has maintained a close friendship with her ex over the years – although he later married her best friend Sarah Rich. Pictured: Matt Phipps, Sarah Rich
The reality star also cited the fact that she didn’t have children as a reason it was so easy to end their relationship in a “clean, grown-up” way.
Poh and Matt’s relationship is so strong that they are currently co-owners of the Jamface Cafe on Adelaide Central Market.
Matt’s new wife Sarah and Poh’s second ex-husband Jono Bennett were also pictured working at the trendy cafe.
“It was incredibly controversial. A huge cloud rose. Probably for the first time in my life. I felt completely free,” says Poh of leaving the church
Raised in a home where there were “six deities at an altar” to pray to and later “flirted with born-again Christianity,” the Malaysian-born cook began following the Mormon Church with her family as a teenager.
Benjamin Law of Posh Good Weekend that she left the church after her worldview was expanded by a transgender friend from Canada.
Poh explained her family was in an “endangered” state when the Mormons knocked on the door.
While Poh’s family is still a Mormon practitioner, Poh left the church at age 24
“We said, ‘Look at these flawless young men who are so healthy and happy! Yes, yes, we want to be a part of it!” For my people, it was an immediate social network,” explained Poh.
While Poh’s family is still a Mormon practitioner, Poh left the church at age 24.
Going against her family’s beliefs was a “big thing” for Poh, but she felt that her experiences, like traveling and attending university, helped her “expand.” [her] Spirit’.
Going against her family’s beliefs was a “big thing” for Poh, but she felt that her experiences, like traveling and attending university, helped her “expand.” [her] Spirit’
“One of the places I moved to was Canada and my first boyfriend there was transgender. She took me under her wing and taught me how to take the subway.
“An amazing person. When I got home I was changed forever. I couldn’t really accept it [my] religion more,” said Poh.
Poh became a household name after appearing in the first MasterChef season in 2009 before returning for season 12 where she placed 6th.
Poh became a household name after appearing in the first MasterChef season in 2009 before returning for season 12 where she placed 6th