Home and Away's Rhiannon Fish recalls "very hurtful" career setbacks after soap exit

 "I stepped back from the industry."

Home and Away's Rhiannon Fish has recalled some "very hurtful" career setbacks, following her exit from the soap. The actor played April Scott for three years, before leaving in 2013 to pursue opportunities in Hollywood.

Believing she could achieve bigger success in the US, Fish left her home in Australia to move halfway across the world.

"There was no debate, that's what you had to do," she told nine.com.au. "So I did, and then was immediately very, very lonely."

The star soon realised how difficult the lifestyle was and decided she wasn't happy. She shared that her confidence was knocked with every rejection, forcing her to reassess her next move.

"The grind of auditioning and being told 'no', sometimes up to three, four times a day, and 'no' for reasons that can be very hurtful, it knocked me down.

She continued: "And I then, quote-unquote, 'Took a break.' It's not like I was offered anything, so I wasn’t taking a break from anything, but I did.

"I stepped back from the industry, I told my managers at the time, 'I need to heal some stuff in myself, I think.'"

Fish then moved to Canada, where she was born and had the support of extended family who lived there.

She successfully auditioned for a "very, very small part" in a 2020 Hallmark movie, and has since starred in up to six TV films a year for the channel.

"I really, finally, for the first time in a long time feel like I've found my stride and that I'm in a pocket that feels really good both to me personally and professionally," she shared.