Create an experience with Maria Thattil

Maria Thattil is Australia's most celebrated contemporary South-Asian Media Personality. A staunch diversity advocate, Penguin-published author, actor, TV panellist, commentator, speaker, columnist, creator and model, Maria uses her voice and words to create meaningful dialogue and campaign for change.

Crowned Miss Universe Australia in 2020, she placed in the top 10 in the international competition in 2021 and was lauded for breaking several barriers. She was only the third woman of colour to represent Australia in the pageant’s then 69-year history and was also the shortest international entrant standing at a proud 5’3. 

Maria is a current panellist on Channel 9’s ‘Today Extra’ and Talking Honey,’ frequents the desk on Channel 10’s The Project and is also a columnist for top lifestyle site 9Honey and national publication Stellar Magazine. As an insightful and skilled opinion writer, she has also authored powerful pieces for a variety of reputable outlets including Australian Financial Review, Buzzfeed, News Corp’s Body+Soul, Mamamia, Women’s Agenda, The Carousel and Kiddipedia.

She has also featured numerous times on Channel 7’s The Morning Show, ABC’s News Breakfast, Channel 9's The Today Show, Channel Ten’s Studio 10 and Have You Been Paying Attention, showcasing her intelligent insights, sense of fun, quick wit and ability to switch between serious and light subjects.

Her appeal continues to escalate given her warm personality and ability to communicate eloquently on a wide variety of issues. Many of Maria’s discussion topics and projects target social justice issues including anti-racism, diversity, inclusion, sexism, LGBTQIA+ issues, youth empowerment and mental health.

She has been a keynote speaker for global conglomerates including ARE Media, Verizon Media, Procter and Gamble, L’Oréal, She’s On the Money, Australian National University and Monash University. She is also fast becoming Australia’s ‘cover girl,’ having been the cover star of Stellar Magazine, Body+Soul, Wellness Australia, Star Observer and  BEAUTYcrew magazine. Maria’s first book, Unbounded, shares her journey navigating the complexities of race, sexuality, gender and identity and offers readers an active guide towards self-mastery.

Leveraging her degrees in Psychology and Management in her creative endeavours, Maria has collaborated with major brands on panels, campaigns and content geared toward representation and equality. She has headlined national campaigns as a face and ambassador for iconic brands including Olay, Clinique,  L’Oréal, Witchery, Forever New, Adore Beauty, Elite Eleven, Ulta3 and Frank Body. Further, not only did she serve as a 2023 Sydney World Pride Ambassador, Tik Tok Global Pride Ambassador and Olay Pride Ambassador, she was also the 2022 Mardi Gras Ambassador for Olay, and the 2021 and 2022 Australian Open ambassador for Piper-Heidsieck.

Maria’s appearance as a cast member on Network Ten’s I’m a Celebrity …. Get Me Out of Here! in early 2022 gained international attention when she came out as bi-sexual on-air, helping to de-stigmatise people’s sexual preferences. This led to her charity affiliation with Minus 18 – an Australian organisation which supports LGBTIQIA+ youth.

In addition to her strong affiliation with Minus 18, Maria is an ongoing ambassador for Polished Man – to stop violence against women and children, and Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation.

She has gone on to produce her own sexual wellness digital series ‘Getting Intimate’ in partnership with VUSH, which explored sexuality on a wider spectrum by holding a space for inclusive and diverse chats that destigmatised self-love and sexual wellness. This is Maria’s second self-created digital series, the first being ‘Mind With Me’ – a social media empowerment series that built a global community of listeners joining in on live discussions regarding social issues.

Maria is based in Melbourne and in 2023, is set to release her podcast, make her acting debut and continue her career in entertainment and advocacy.