Channel Nine aired the highly anticipated premiere episode of the new reality series Shark! on Sunday night. The show features influencer Tammy Hembrow in her first major television role, with the social media sensation receiving significant screen time during the first instalment.
Tammy, 32, began by boasting that she thrives in dangerous situations and was excited to enter an underwater cage to meet sharks. However, despite her bravado, she panicked and repeatedly let go of the support bar, ignoring instructions from the shark expert diving alongside her.
The fitness influencer lasted only a short time underwater, admitting that she had 'failed' the task.
'It's definitely very intense. It was honestly just sharks everywhere that you look,' a breathless Tammy explained. 'They were opening their mouths right where my hands were. And I really thought they were going to bite my fingers off. I couldn't hold onto the bar. I was just sort of flailing around, screaming.'
Tammy confessed it was 'a bit embarrassing being so dramatic' and added, 'I'm such a drama queen.'
'I kept freaking out. I'm glad I didn't throw up, so that's a win. But I feel like they were like testing how good I would be with the sharks, and I feel like if that's a pass/fail thing, then I definitely failed,' the activewear designer said.
Many viewers were unimpressed, not only by Tammy's efforts but by the show itself, which sees celebrities face off against Great White Sharks.
'Is this show necessary? I'm finding it boring,' wrote one person on social media platform X. 'Tammy said she swam with Great Whites before... so why is she on this show?' asked another confused viewer. 'So, I can't stand Tammy but love sharks, what's a girl to do?' wrote one conflicted person.
On Instagram, the reaction was equally lukewarm. 'Lame,' replied one person to a clip from the series on Sunday, while another said: 'Boring I thought.' Others did enjoy the series, with one person chiming in: 'OMG. I'm loving this and now on my bucket list,' while another wrote, 'Great show Nine'.
Tammy need not despair, as she has already landed her next gig. It was revealed on Sunday that Tammy is set to host the upcoming third series of reality show Aussie Shore. She takes over from British star Charlotte Crosby as the 'House Boss', marking Tammy's first television hosting role.
