Melissa Leong Announces She Is Boy Sober

The 44-year-old television personality is abstaining from dating to prioritise her peace and personal agency.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Romance

Melissa Leong Announces She Is Boy Sober

Live Poll

Would you choose to abstain from dating to focus on your own personal growth and wellbeing?

Melissa Leong has revealed she is currently 'boy sober', a trend that involves women choosing to abstain from romantic relationships and sexual activity with men. The 44-year-old is focusing on her wellbeing and self-improvement rather than pursuing new romantic connections.

Why it matters

By embracing the trend coined by comedian Hope Woodard, Leong is highlighting a growing movement that prioritises personal agency and peace over the pressures of modern dating. Her decision reflects a conscious choice to step away from romantic cycles to invest in herself.

Melissa Leong was married to Joe Jones for four years between 2017 and 2020. She subsequently began a relationship with Rob Mason in October 2021 after a ten-month period following her divorce.

The players

Melissa Leong

She is a 44-year-old Australian media personality known for her career in the food and television industry.

Hope Woodard

She is a comedian who is credited with coining the term boy sober to describe the act of abstaining from dating men.

Joe Jones

He was married to Melissa Leong from 2017 until their separation in December 2020.

Rob Mason

He began dating Melissa Leong in October 2021 following her previous marriage.

The details

Leong shared her approach to single life during an appearance on the Inherited podcast in October 2026. The philosophy behind the boy sober movement, which gained traction through Hope Woodard, encourages women to remove the distraction of romantic dalliances.

Melissa Leong married Joe Jones in 2017.
Leong and Joe Jones separated in December 2020.
Leong began a relationship with Rob Mason in October 2021.
Leong discussed her single life on the Inherited podcast in October 2026.
Leong publicly announced her boy sober status in October 2026.

Culture Shift

Leong is aligning herself with the boy sober movement coined by Hope Woodard, which encourages women to step away from traditional romantic expectations. This trend marks a shift toward prioritising self-improvement and mental clarity over the pursuit of male romantic partners.

Adopting a boy sober lifestyle involves a commitment to reassessing one's daily routine and social habits to better suit personal peace. For Australians exploring this trend, it requires setting firm boundaries around time spent seeking or managing romantic connections.

The takeaway

Choosing to be boy sober is a personal decision that focuses on long-term self-care rather than short-term romantic satisfaction. Readers can implement this by intentionally carving out time for personal development and solitary reflection outside of dating cycles.