Former Home and Away star Tammin Sursok has opened up about overcoming body image issues to star as a scantily clad bombshell on Stan’s Joe vs Carole.
The 38-year-old shared behind-the-scenes photos of herself in red lingerie while on set of the drama series that follows the life and times of famed big cat rescuer Carole Baskin and her arch nemesis Joe Exotic.
“My character, as you can see from my outfit, was very comfortable with her sexuality and sauntered around accepting her body without a care in the world,” Tammin wrote.
Tammin stars as Nicole on Stan’s Joe Vs Carole, based on Joe Exotic.
(Image: Instagram)“Me… not so much. I’m not going to lie, I was incredibly honored to have been cast in this role but I was terribly insecure about being dressed like this.
Tammin said that as a woman and a mother, she was fed the narrative to “hide away and be invisible”.
“When I stepped on set, in this outfit, even though it took me a while, I felt a part of my old self flood back into my body,” she said.
“I pretended to hide behind this character, but to be honest the character started to morph into me. The old me. The one that would look into mirror and approve instead of picking myself apart.”
Tammin said the role helped her feel more body positive.
(Image: Instagram)Tammin said that despite her stint on Joe vs Carol being short, she is incredibly grateful for the show that “left a lasting impression on how I felt about myself.”
The mother-of-two has long been vocal about her body image struggles, and in December 2021 revealed she was bullied as a kid for being overweight.
“When I was 13 years old I was 200 pounds (90kg), I got bullied a lot and boys were horrible to me, they would throw rocks at my head and kids would laugh behind my back,” she shared.
“All I wanted was to be an actress and musician and it was the only time I felt happy. A guy I had a crush on told me I’d never amount to anything. I told him to watch this space.”
The Aquamarine star went on to say she was bullied for most of her adolescence, but she chose to persevere and not let ‘people’s words, bathed in hate’ break her.
“If you are in this situation, I promise you that you are worthy, you are enough and I want you to GET UP. Your dreams can come true, but it’s up to you. I see you. I got you.”
Tammin ultimately had the last laugh, having landed the role of Dani Sutherland on Home and Away when she was just 16.
Her career has continued to skyrocket since leaving the four-year gig in Summer Bay. She has gone on to star in Pretty Little Liars and Hannah Montana.
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