Radio star Brittany Hockley has reacted to the criticism around her long-distance marriage with Swiss soccer star Benjamin Siegrist.
The 37-year-old took to Instagram to share a rant after a follower asked: “Why did you rush into marriage with someone you barely know and haven’t lived with?”
“I mean, am I living on another planet? Do you think I barely know my husband? Do you think I rushed in?” she sarcastically asked her audience in a video on her Instagram stories.
Watch the video above.
She reiterated that she was 35-years-old when she met her husband.
“Not that age matters, but it does play into a little bit because the older you get, the faster you know what you want and what’s acceptable, and the right person for you,” she continued.
They were together for two-and-a-half years before she and the now-34-year-old officially wed in June 2025.
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She continued and added she also “[argued] the point that I probably know him better. When you are not with somebody every day, you have to know them on such a deeper level, you have to put in so much more effort.
“I married somebody that I think is the best man in the universe, and I would rather have him everyday via distance, than live with somebody that is not the right person and have a relatively conventional relationship by society’s standards.”
She explained that she has never lived with her husband full-time, but it is not because they don’t want to be in each other’s lives all the time.
The Bachelor star says that they are simply, “two people that met and felt like we were soulmates and meant to be together, they were in different parts of the world and on different timelines, chasing different dreams.
“We could’ve made a decision that… one of us gives up our dreams and our career goals and our passions, so that the other one can do theirs, or we both support each other, and make the relationship work no matter what, so that we can both chase our dreams and our career goals and our aspirations.
“To me, that makes a whole lot of sense, and to me that screams a beautiful, wonderful, supportive, slightly unconventional, but amazing relationship.”
She admitted that it is hard at times to be apart from her husband.
“There’s times that are really lonely, and there’s times you miss each other, and there are really big moments in each other’s lives that you miss out on,” she said.
“But there’s also huge moments you get to be there for as well, and the only reason those huge moments happened is because you allowed it and you supported this long-distance relationship.”
She reshared the rant as a post on her Instagram grid and added more context in the caption.
“This one always hits me hard. But it’s not new. To me, personally, this is a pretty wild thing to say,” she wrote.
“Does knowing someone depend purely on the physical? I would argue the point we know each other better and on a deeper level.
“I would argue our love extends beyond, so far so that we love each other enough to sacrifice living together full time so that we can support each other in our careers and ambitions, which at this stage just happen to be on the other side of the world to each other.”
She added that her love language was physical touch and that it took a lot of work to overcome that issue in their relationship, adding that “love languages evolve along side our chapter of life.
“Our trust, love, connection, emotional IQ, support and understanding runs deeper, because it has to. Without the solid foundations this would never work. So imagine having that foundation and THEN adding the physical on top!?” the post continued.
“I realise this is far from societies version of a conventional marriage, but guess what, I did normal and I could trust that relationship about as far as I could throw it. I would take this version any day of the week. Nothing makes me happier than seeing him thrive. And it’s not forever.”
Her husband was the first to comment, and joked: “Do I know you? And why are u making a video about me ? 😬🤣”
Fellow radio host and friend Mitch Churi commented, “Yeah it feels like you’re been together for 10+ years when you’re in the room with you both. Or spending Christmas with you. Or sleeping in your spare bed,” before realising, “I need to get more friends.”
Fans also defended her in the comment section.
“You don’t need to explain your life & choices to anyone Britt, it’s so so clear how much you & Ben love each other and it’s so inspiring to see that you can sustain a beautiful marriage & connection long distance. I hope I can be like you in my future relationship,” one fan penned.
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Another commented, “This question screams insecurity from the author. Having followed B&B since the beginning you can clearly tell they are secure in themselves and their relationship.
“I hope the person who wrote this reflects deeply about what they maybe missing in their life to make them ask this question.”
“Someone pls point this person in the direction of their own lane,” another commented.
Another wrote, “When you meet your soulmate, YOU KNOW!!!!! Soooooo proud of you both Britt. You do what right for YOU! Who cares what others think!!!!!”
The couple began dating in 2022 and announced their engagement in June 2024 before getting married a year later.
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