Love Island Australia‘s Erin Barnett has taken to Instagram to hit back at trolls who have criticised her relationship with her “much older” boyfriend Mick Russell.
WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW
The 24-year-old reality TV star revealed she was relentlessly trolled with “nasty comments” earlier this month, and used her social media platform to defend herself.
In a post to her Instagram stories, Erin hit back at critics who accused her of being 43-year-old Russell’s “sugar baby”.
“I probably shouldn’t even do this, but I feel the ‘need’ to,” Erin began her lengthy post.
“I’ve just been reading some articles about my relationship with Mick. I really shouldn’t have kept scrolling through the articles and comments, but hey, it’s the Internet, right? Yes, I am dating an older man. No, he isn’t my ‘sugar daddy’.”
“Just a little FYI – [the] definition of a sugar daddy [is]: ‘a rich older man who lavishes gifts on a young woman in return for her company or sexual favours’.”
“I have my own money, I don’t need any man, at whatever age, giving me any gifts or their money. I buy myself better gifts than anyone can.”
“I don’t have ‘daddy issues’, as I have a fantastic relationship with my dad. He’s an amazing man and has always been by my side through everything,” she continued.
She explained that “meeting Mick has been a blessing” after a string of toxic relationships, and added: “I am so lucky to be with a man who treats me with respect and makes me truly happy every single day.”
Erin also revealed that she looked for a man who already had children because she cannot of kids of her own.
“It’s also a blessing he has kids – as I cannot have kids, ever, due to my medical issues.”
She added: “When we move forward in our relationship, I’m not taking away a big life moment from him ever wanting kids, because he already has children and has enjoyed that moment in his life.
“It’s a tough thing to be a woman dating someone and having to tell them they can never have children [with you]. It can cause such a strain on a relationship, you all have no idea.”
Before meeting Mick, Erin had been in a relationship with Eden Dally, who she met on Love Island last year.
The couple split in September 2018, and Eden moved on with MAFS Cyrell earlier this year.
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
