Aussie star Claire Holt on feeling 'homesick': 'It's really hard'

Brisbane-born, US-based actor Claire Holt is really missing Australia at the moment.

"I haven't been home in one and a half years," the Vampire Diaries and H2O: Just Add Water star tells Yahoo Lifestyle in an exclusive chat.

'It's really hard'

Like other Aussie expats, Claire, 33, lists family, friends, food and beaches as the top things she misses most about life down under.

In September last year, she and her husband, Andrew Joblon welcomed the newest addition to their brood, a daughter named Elle. The pair also share a son, two-year-old James.

With the global Covid pandemic still raging on, Claire's family has yet to be introduced to 10-month-old Elle in person. While Claire's situation isn't unique, it doesn't make it any easier.

"It's really hard," she says. "My Dad and younger siblings still haven't met my daughter.

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"I'd love to be able to bring both my children home and show them what an incredible country Australia is."

With international travel still up in the air — if you excuse the pun — Claire and her little ones are making do with 'a lot of FaceTime', but she'd love to be able to hug her family soon.

Claire recently brought a little bit of Australia Stateside when she teamed up with American swimwear label, Andie Swim to design a capsule collection.

Inspired by memories of sun, sand and surf, Claire's collection features one-pieces and bikinis named for her favourite Aussie beaches; think Byron, Bronte and Bondi.

And, in a throwback to the aquatic-themed TV show that kickstarted her career, there's the 'Mermaid Bikini'.

Claire, who modelled her favourite pieces from the collection, says she resonated with Andie Swim's mission to champion inclusivity (the range comes in sizes XS to XXXL, for example) and make women feel comfortable in their own skin.

"Growing and giving birth to two kids has helped me to feel so much more comfortable in my own skin," she explains.

"I now appreciate my body for what it's given me, as opposed to what I physically look like.

"Of course, we all have our insecurities and I've had to learn to accept myself in many different forms — the immediate postpartum period was rough — but I don't feel the pressure to live up to certain beauty standards anymore. It's very freeing to let go of all of that."

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