Chef Monica Galetti took a step back from her role on MasterChef: The Professionals earlier this year, to focus on her family following her 15-year-old nephew being diagnosed with cancer.
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Monica's nephew Otis lives in New Zealand and has a rare form of cancer, which prompted the chef to leave her MasterChef role after 14 years on the show. Speaking on Otis' cancer diagnosis, Monica said: "It was so out of the blue. They found a lump in his stomach and a scan showed he had a very rare and aggressive form of cancer.
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The chef went on to reveal her nephew was given three months to live, and is now on his second round of chemotherapy.
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In support of Otis, Monica shaved her head, which she said was "scary" in an interview with Good Housekeeping.
Speaking of her new look, Monica said: "I love it because it's so easy to style, but it took a bit of adjusting to. I'm not growing it back until he gets better."
© Photo: InstagramMonica Galetti shaved her head in solidarity with her nephew
Since stepping down from MasterChef, Monica, 46, has got into a groove with exercise, explaining she works out with a group of local women.
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"The calm and confidence I get from just being with them is empowering," she said.
© Photo: InstagramMonica Galetti hasn't ruled out returning to MasterChef
Despite leaving MasterChef, Monica hasn't ruled out a return to the show, revealing she's seeing it more of a year out and that she's very much missing the crew.
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