Home and Away star Tammin Sursok's 'painful' admission: 'Couldn't cope'

Former Home and Away star Tammin Sursok has opened up about how difficult it is to balance motherhood with being a working actress.

She admitted on Instagram that leaving her daughters Phoenix, 9, and Lennon, 3, for an extended period of time when filming is ‘really painful’.

Two selfies of Home and Away star Tammin Sursok as she talks to the camera.
Home and Away's Tammin Sursok has made a surprise admission. Photo: Instagram/tamminsursok

“Real talk for a second. I leave in three days to go shoot a movie in Canada," she began.

"I’m so excited for this new experience and to play the lead in another film, is such a blessing. But I’m gonna be away from my kiddos and my husband for a while. And it still is really painful,” she explained to her fans.

The Pretty Little Liars star also shared that she wasn’t able to leave her family for even one day when her daughters were younger.

“In the beginning, I couldn’t cope. I could not go away for like a day without having a complete breakdown. And now I can do it, but it’s still painful,” she said.

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The 39-year-old shares parenting duties with her husband, Sean McEwen, who works as a director and producer in the film industry.

Tammin Sursok with her husband and two daughters on a boat
The mum shares parenting duties with her husband. Photo: Instagram/tamminsursok

Tammin praised her husband for working with her ‘as a team’, saying that they alternate looking after their daughters while the other tackles a new project.

“When he goes and films, I’m with the kids. When I go and film, he’s with the kids. And so they’re very used to being with both of us, it’s not one or the other,” she said.

The Aussie star finished her video saying that while she knows her family will be fine in her absence, it doesn’t stop her ‘heart hurting’.

Tammin Sursok with her two daughters and dog on a blanket
Tammin often shares photos and videos with her children on social media. Photo: Instagram/tamminsursok

Tammin unrecognisable in new film

This comes after the actress completely transformed for a new film role.

She channelled her inner cheerleader for a new film, sporting straight blonde bangs and a heavy face of makeup.

Sharing multiple film stills from Instagram, the mother-of-two revealed how difficult her new role was.

Home and Away star Tammin Sursok is unrecognisable in her latest film. Photo: Wild Winn Pictures
Home and Away star Tammin Sursok is unrecognisable in her latest film. Photo: Wild Winn Pictures

“I’m not sure how to put into words what this last month has meant to me,” she began. “A month ago, I was given an opportunity to push myself beyond my comfort zone and accept a film that made me uncomfortable.

“It was uncomfortable because I knew if I took on this role there was no holding back. It was going to cost me. I would have to dive into some dark places that I safely put in a box and open up some wounds that were almost healed. But I had to do it.”

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The Australian actress explained that she took the role for her daughters, to show them what she was ‘capable’ of achieving.

“I had to show them their mama could learn CHEER (say what?!) and perform on stage with professional dancers 15 years younger than her. I had to show them that anything is possible. If you just colour outside the lines,” she wrote.

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