When you start off your career as a popstar, it’s hard to imagine how life could get more adventurous. But TrueBliss singer Erika Takacs has built a life anyone would find exciting – working all over the world as a stunt department coordinator, collecting a husband, five children and countless stamps in her passport along the way!
Erika, 45, was introduced to the stunt world through hubby Allan Poppleton, 51, an Emmynominated stunt coordinator and performer, who she met in 2003 at a barbecue at her sister’s place.
“I always wanted to marry somebody who was going to love me as much, if not more, than I loved them because I had a lot to give - and Al had way more than I ever expected," smiles Erika, who hails from Wellington.
Auckland-born Allan is equally smitten with his wife of 14 years.
"She's a pretty special human," he gushes. "The passion she has for everybody in her life is endless." '
The couple soon became a team professionally as well as romantically when Erika felt she needed a change from producing and presenting music show Ready To Roll while also working in PR.
"Al was doing a horror film called 30 Days Of Night and said, 'Why don't you come help me out and if you like it, then maybe we can keep doing this?' And that was it - the journey began."
As the department coordinator, Erika dealt with the production aspects of the stunt team, but she soon found herself getting roped into performing her own daredevil acts as well.
"I've done some stunt training, but I would never want to take away from the actual stunt professionals - I have the utmost respect for them," Erika explains. "I've got in there because it's like, 'We need a female agent!' and the director goes, 'Can we use Erika?"
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