Sam Frost has returned to Instagram a couple of weeks after deactivating her account. The 32-year-old actress left the social media platform after receiving backlash for her comments about the COVID-19 vaccine and “revealing” her unvaccinated status in a since-deleted video.
WATCH: Sam Frost announces she is not vaccinated
The video received backlash from some people in the medical and science communities – including scientist and fellow Bachelor alum Matt Agnew – due to comments made about there being “many reasons” to not receive the vaccine.
There are legitimate medical reasons for some people to receive exemptions from the vaccine – such as immunocompromised individuals – but those people are not restricted by the current protocols in place restricting people who choose not to receive the vaccine.
Sam was also condemned for using the word “segregation” in regards to the current rules in NSW for those who are vaccinated (or unvaccinated with a legitimate medical exemption) and those who choose not to be.
Activist Tarang Chawla, Clementine Ford, Em Rusciano, Sarah Harris, Beau Ryan and Abbie Chatfield were among those to respond to Sam’s post.
Sam deactivated her page on October 9, later reactivating on October 27, with a message thanking her fans, friends, family, and co-stars, who have supported her.
The Home and Away actress typed her letter over a picture of the sky, and thanked people who sent her kind messages.
“Thank you for the enormous amount of support and love over the past few weeks,” she wrote. “I received thousands and thousands of beautiful messages & emails I appreciate it, more than you’ll ever know.
“Incredibly grateful for my friends, family & work colleagues who held my hand through the storm, and loved me unconditionally.”
Much like her initial video, Sam signed off her message with another note about kindness, writing: “kindness always wins.”
Her post has been responded to once again by Tarang Chawla. The activist has previously noted that he received intense threats and cruel comments from people on social media for questioning her initial video.
“White privilege is being able to cause hurt to People of Colour, weaponise mental health when people ask questions about something you said, disappear without an apology or statement while some of your supporters actually bully People of Colour, and then come back a few weeks later with a thank you message for all your fans with a comment thrown in on how kindness always wins,” Tarang wrote. “Imagine if kindness always did win?”
Sam also posted a photo to her grid, though she did not address the controversy there. She posted a photo alongside Home and Away hairstylist Ella, writing “fresh” in the caption to highlight her recently retouched blonde hair.
Sharing a photo of the new hair on her own Instagram page, Ella wrote: “Just a sneaky blonde refresh for my girl Sam – oh and a quick afternoon glam.”
Her Home and Away co-star Georgie Parker was among those to respond, leaving a string of love heart emojis in the comments. Australian Survivor star Felicity Egginton added: “Looking incredible! Hope you are doing well.”
Shortly after the initial backlash earlier this month, Channel Seven released a statement regarding vaccination requirements of employees on the show.
“Seven strongly encourages vaccination for all our people and all Seven productions strictly adhere to the public health COVID-19 safe protocols,” a spokesman said.
“All Home and Away cast and crew also undertake Covid-19 testing three times a week in addition to other preventive measures. Sam Frost continues to work on Home And Away and follows the safety protocols in place.”
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