Channel Seven star Erin Holland has opened up about the highs and lows of her unconventional long-distance marriage to Australian cricketer Ben Cutting.
The Australian model, 36, splits her week between Sydney and Brisbane, living in Sydney from Monday to Thursday and flying to Brisbane every weekend to be with her husband.
‘It sounds dramatic, but I do have to think like that sometimes. It’s been a hectic year,’ Erin tells this week’s Stellar magazine.
‘The only good thing about having such a busy schedule is I don’t actually have a body clock to stuff up anymore, so jet lag isn’t a thing. It’s like, have I slept eight hours in the last 24? No… I haven’t!’
The Cairns-born presenter moved to Sydney at 17 for university and has lived there ever since, while Ben is based in Brisbane.
The power couple have only ever lived together for longer than a few weeks during Covid lockdowns.
Channel Seven star Erin Holland has opened up about the highs and lows of her unconventional long-distance marriage to Australian cricketer Ben Cutting. The Australian model splits her week between Sydney and Brisbane
‘The only time Ben and I have ever lived together longer than two or three weeks at a time [was during Covid],’ she said.
‘It was before the wedding and I went, “At least I know I can live with you.” It’s been a long-distance marriage for almost five years.’
Friends and family have often questioned their arrangement – but Erin maintains it works well for both of them.
‘Constantly. People came to our wedding who had never met him,’ Erin said.
‘Some people go, “Oh, alarm bells.” But it’s just a reality of two people who have careers that involve travel.’
For the couple, mutual understanding of each other’s demanding careers has been key.
‘Many people know what it’s like to have a FIFO family member. For most of our relationship, it hasn’t mattered because there weren’t kids at home. The understanding we have of each other’s career is what’s actually kept us together.’
Alongside managing a long-distance marriage, Erin has endured a painful IVF journey – She has now undergone 12 rounds of treatment over four years.
‘It sounds dramatic, but I do have to think like that sometimes. It’s been a hectic year,’ Erin tells this week’s Stellar magazine
The Cairns-born presenter moved to Sydney at 17 for university and has lived there ever since, while her Australian cricket star husband Ben Cutting is based in Brisbane. Pictured together in 2022
‘This year has been a rollercoaster. It’s been so difficult. There’s been a lot of loss, whether it’s miscarriages or failed rounds [of IVF],’ she said.
‘Trying to balance that with work and having a life as well is a real challenge, and it’s getting to a point now, four years on, where it kinda feels like there’s no end in sight. I’ve just found out that my sixth transfer didn’t work.’
Erin described the emotional and physical strain of IVF as overwhelming.
‘It’s physically, mentally, financially taxing. If you knew eventually it was all gonna be worth it, you’d do anything to make that your reality – if that’s what you want for your life. But it’s the unknown. I’m finding it really hard to balance still trying to live my life while I try to create a life.’
First crowned Miss World Australia in 2013, Erin is also a classically trained soprano and recently performed at Sydney’s Carols In The Domain.
She hosts cricket coverage for tournaments including the Indian Premier League and the Pakistan Super League.
