MasterChef’s gay cast members appear to show support for Reynold Poernomo by following him on Instagram after his past homophobic comments were exposed
The openly gay cast members of MasterChef: Back to Win are standing by embattled co-star Reynold Poernomo after his homophobic Internet posts resurfaced last week.
On Friday, Daily Mail Australia revealed a series of shocking comments made by Reynold, 26, on bodybuilding.com forums back in 2014.
But it seems his co-stars Khanh Ong, Brendan Pang, Reece Hignell and Courtney Roulston have remained friends with the ‘dessert king’ as they all continue to follow him on Instagram.
Standing by their friend: The openly gay cast members of MasterChef: Back to Win are standing by embattled co-star Reynold Poernomo (pictured) after his homophobic Internet posts resurfaced last week
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Khanh, Brendan, Reece and Courtney for comment.
Khanh’s show of support comes after he said that Reynold deserved to win this season because of his commitment to bettering himself as a chef.
‘If it’s not me, then I really hope Reynold wins, because he deserves it,’ the former DJ told New Idea on Monday.
Understanding: MasterChef co-stars Reece Hignell (left) and Brendan Pang appear to still be following Reynold on Instagram
Continuing support: Khanh (left) and Courtney (right) also continue to follow co-star Reynold on Instagram, despite the ‘Dessert King’s’ homophobic comments
‘He’s put in the all the hard yards, he has travelled the world and worked for free at amazing restaurants just to learn,’ he added.
It is not known if Khanh’s interview with the magazine happened before Reynold’s past homophobic views were exposed on Friday.
Last week it was revealed that Reynold – who used the profile name ‘reyreyy’ – shared a shocking comment in a bodybuilding.com thread titled ‘First gay couple featured on the Disney Channel. Do you agree with them?’
Following: According to their Instagram accounts Khanh, Brendan, Reece and Courtney are still friends with Reynold as they all continue to follow him on the social media platform
The then 20-year-old wrote: ‘I wish the world made a united decision where they will capture all gay people and put them on a remote island full of gays, that way straight ppl (people) will be happy and the freaks can go on and f** themselves.’
That comment was followed by another on a thread titled: ‘Is homosexuality a mental illness?’
‘Yes end of thread,’ Reynold responded.
Reynold has apologised for the comments. In a statement to Daily Mail Australia, he said he was now ‘deeply ashamed’ of his remarks.
A winner in his eyes: Khanh recently said that Reynold ‘deserved’ to win this season because of his commitment to bettering himself as a chef. The former DJ told New Idea on Monday: ‘If it’s not me, then I really hope Reynold wins… He’s put in the all the hard yards’
‘I would like to offer my sincere and deepest apologies for the comments that I made in 2014. I am ashamed of these comments and I regret them immensely,’ he said.
‘At the time these comments were made, I was a very immature, close-minded and insular 20-year-old. I have grown and matured a lot in the last six years. I am not the person I was back then.
‘I have many friends and colleagues that are part of the LGBTIQ+ community. I wholeheartedly support them and care deeply for them. I am truly sorry and apologise for any offence or hurt I caused.’
Exposed: Last week, it was revealed that Reynold made homophobic comments on a body building forum in 2014. He has said he is ‘ashamed’ of the comments he made and has apologised
