Tammin Sursok with her family
This week’s Meet a Mom interview is with Tammin Sursok, an actress best known for her role in Pretty Little Liars, as well as for ad campaigns with Pepsi and L’Oreal. Recently, her podcast, Women on Top, has helped her gain millions of followers on her social media platforms, who have tuned into interviews with everyone from fellow Australian Naomi Watts to Clueless‘ Alicia Silverstone.
She divides her time between Nashville and Australia, and like for many, this change came about from the pandemic. “I’m Australian and my husband is American. We were in Los Angeles for the longest time because of our work, but needed a sea change,” explains Tammin, who is Mom to two daughters, Phoenix (9) and Lennon (4). “During COVID we just knew we needed to get out of Los Angeles and discover something new. The minute we came to Tennessee, we fell in love with it and the people we have met,” shares Tammin.
We spoke to the Aussie about parenting and her career, including her new dark humor film, Blood, Sweat, & Cheer, out now on Tubi.
Tammin Sursok in character for Blood, Sweat & Cheers
You’ve had a career that has spanned decades in both the U.S. and Australia. What has been your favorite role and why?
This movie, Blood, Sweat, & Cheer, is actually one of my favorite roles. The character in the movie feels invisible, and she’s desperate to relive her childhood, and she lives vicariously through her child. Obviously, that’s not me and my situation but I was a child actor and there’s been many times that I felt desperate to relive that childhood school experience.
My acting coach told me that when I took this role, it was going to cost me something and it did. On the surface it can look like a dark comedy that could be easily played, but I really had to dive into some deep, deep, dark places within myself.
That’s so interesting. On the motherhood front, what is your favorite advice to new moms?
I would say don’t be so hard on yourself. It’s okay if your kids get dirty and your house isn’t perfect and you give them formula if you can’t breast-feed, and you give them [frozen] pizza if you’re exhausted. Life is hard.
It’s also amazing but we put so much pressure on ourselves to be perfect and there just isn’t such a thing. Everything that we see on social media and the narrative we get spoon-fed just isn’t true. The reason I started my podcast Women on Top is because I felt so isolated, especially in the beginning of motherhood, and I just needed to know that I wasn’t alone.
Love that. What has surprised you most about motherhood?
How much you’re willing to sacrifice for another person. I wouldn’t say I was a selfish person but throughout my 20’s I definitely put myself first and my desires, needs and wants first, and when I had my two children, the sacrifice came so innately and freely. I would walk in front of a bus. I would give up anything for them.
That’s so relatable! Who stands out to you as a podcast interview?
Sometimes you think that the biggest celebrity and someone you idolized for so long, that is going to be your favorite interview. But instead, it’s sometimes the girls who have a funny TikTok about strengthening your pelvic floor muscles that are your favorite. I will say Glennon Doyle was pretty special. I followed her work for so long, and for her to talk to us was just such an honor.
We love supporting local businesses. What are your fave places in your area to:
Go for date night: Locust
Eat out with kids: Frothy Monkey
Go for girls’ night out: Adele’s
Get coffee: Ugly Mug
Workout: Seven Minutes
Get your facials done: Hi, Finch
Get your hair done: Blowout Co
Buy a gift for a friend: Books A Million
