Last week news broke that The Bachelor star turned radio host Sam Frost was joining the cast of iconic Aussie soap Home & Away, leaving fans of the hit show divided.
Appearing on Sunrise on Monday, Frost defended her decision to join Summer Bay. She also revealed she had to audition for the role—like many others, The Daily Telegraph reports.
“I was hoping I could just go into it and you know the proofs in the pudding and hopefully I can perform well but I think some people are so stubborn in their opinions, I’m worried that regardless of how well I perform they’re still going to criticise me,” she told Natalie Barr.
“But I’ve got enough support — so many supporters — so I’ve got to channel that and focus on that instead.”
Frost continued: “Well I auditioned for the role like everybody else like months of waiting around thinking ‘I won’t get the job,’ but there have been some actors, (who) reached out that have said, ‘You know what, just letting you know like we’re really supporting you and we’re behind you’ so you know.”
For every congratulatory message, Frost, who has little acting experience, appears to have been inundated with criticism of a) her acting ability and b) what casting decisions like this mean for the industry at large.
“To me it demonstrates that Home and Away has lost faith in its writers if directors are resorting to this kind of stunt, rather than using their storylines to pull viewers,” Australian Acting Academy artistic director Brendan Glanville told Confidential, news.com.au reports.
On Instagram, Frost also justified her next career move to the haters. “I am not afraid to challenge myself, to push through barriers,” she wrote.
“I work incredibly hard professionally and personally to constantly grow, learn and evolve. I have chosen to live my life embracing opportunities and challenges with open arms. It may work, it may not… but at least I can say I was brave enough to give it a shot,” the post concludes.
She also used Instagram to confirm her relationship with her new boyfriend, Dave Bashford, following her split from Sasha Mielczarek.
“Love you @dave-bash,” Frost posted in a candid Instagram stories snap.
The aspiring actress begins filming in the next few weeks, with her episodes said to hit screens next year.
