Maria Thattil

Award-Winning Media Personality Maria Thattil is one of Australia’s boldest South-Asian voices. A Penguin published Author, TedX Speaker, Host/Presenter, Actor, Cover Girl, Columnist, Activist, and Creator. Maria was propelled into the spotlight when she was crowned Miss Universe Australia in 2020, she placed in the top ten of the international competition in 2021 and was only the third woman of colour to represent Australia in pageant history.

She has gone on to serve as a guest host, social commentator and judge across primetime Australian shows and in 2024 joined the cast of Neighbours, as the show’s first ever queer South Asian female character.

In 2024, she was also awarded ‘The Gamechanger’ Award by ELLE Magazine, and in 2023, was awarded the Voice Of Now at Marie Claire’s Women of the Year Awards – both recognising her for advocacy and breaking barriers.

In 2023 Maria joined an all-star lineup as a guest judge on Season 3 of Ru Paul’s Drag Race Down Under and debuted her acting career on ABC’s reboot of ‘Mother and Son’. Was guest host on Channel 10’s The Project and a regular panellist on Channel 9’s Today Extra and Talking Honey. Maria’s multi-hyphened media career has also lead her to becoming an official TEDX Speaker and release her first Penguin published book Unbounded in 2023 – which navigates the complexities of race, sexuality, gender and identity and offers readers an active guide towards self-mastery.

Her 2022 appearance on I’m a Celebrity . . . Get Me Out of Here! made waves internationally when she came out as bisexual on-air. She has gone on to headline global campaigns and champions LGBTQIA+ rights, inclusion and equality for brands including Olay, Alfa Romeo, Clinique, Piper Heidsieck, and L’Oréal Paris. Gracing the covers of Stellar Magazine, Body+Soul, Wellness Australia, Star Observer and BEAUTYcrew magazine.

As a sought-after columnist, Thattil writes for outlets including 9Honey, Stellar Magazine, Buzzfeed, Body+Soul, Mamamia and Women’s Agenda for which she was nominated for the prestigious Columnist of the Year Awards at the 2022 Mumbrella Publish Awards. Thattil also frequents best-dressed lists and leading fashion publications for her style including Vogue Australia, Harpers Bazaar, Elle Australia and Marie Claire.

A staunch advocate for diversity, Maria has dedicated her career to campaigning for diversity, youth empowerment, mental health and inclusion. Giving her voice to campaign for change, supporting charities close to her heart including Minus 18, Polished Man and Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation.

Maria Thattil Speaks About

• DIVERSITY, INCLUSION & REPRESENTATION

Inspiring discussions on identity, the importance of inclusive media representation, and embracing diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

• SOCIAL JUSTICE

Thought-provoking discussions on anti-racism, LGBTQIA+ rights, mental health, sex positivity, gender equality & women’s rights.

• INSPIRATION, RESILIENCE & MOTIVATION

Delivers a notable keynote on ‘Breaking the Blueprint’ sharing her own experience and advice on understanding social identity, overcoming limiting beliefs & achieving self-mastery. Inspired by her book ‘Unbounded.’