Truth behind Phoebe Burgess’ perfect Instagram

Journalist and influencer Phoebe Burgess reveals the reason she still carefully curates her social media following her messy split from NRL player Sam Burgess.

This idyllic moment of a mother pushing her daughter on a swing is one that Phoebe Burgess has come to treasure, particularly since her life was turned upside down.

Now, 18 months after an ugly separation from her husband, former NRL player Sam Burgess, the journalist and influencer tells Stellar On Friday, “There’s a new level of appreciation for what I do have and for what’s good. I have two happy, healthy kids, and I have somewhere I can stay.”

She’s also found support via a community of women online, especially since late last year, when details of her sports star ex’s turbulent personal life made headlines after The Australian ran a report about the former South Sydney Rabbitohs captain, which included allegations of domestic violence and drug use (both of which he’s denied).

“Asking for help was hard.” (Picture: David Mandelberg)

“If I post a picture and if people are aware via the media that something isn’t right, just having a presence signifies a bit of strength.” (Picture: David Mandelberg)

Burgess says the support they provide far outweighs the criticisms from those who question why she still carefully curates her social-media feed.

“If I post a picture and if people are aware via the media that something isn’t right, they know that for me getting up, getting dressed, showing up and just having a presence signifies a bit of strength. I get messages like, ‘Well done. Keep going,’” says Burgess, who was photographed with her mother, father and sisters at the family’s Southern Highlands home south of Sydney for the cover story in last Sunday’s Stellar magazine.

Moving home, albeit temporarily, also made clear the importance of reaching out for help. “Often in our society, if you do everything on your own, you’re praised as being this amazing, strong woman,” she says.

“Asking for help can be harder. People don’t make a big deal of it, but it’s such a sign of strength to notice your weakness and try to change it. Women like that are strong.”