Maria Thattil is a powerhouse.
Between being Miss Universe Australia in 2020, advocating for diversity and inclusion on the Today show, there’s no doubt you’ve seen her around. I caught up with Maria to hear about her venture into acting, being the Mardi Gras X Olay Ambassador, and to chat about her new book, Unbounded, which delves into her lived experience of racism, sexism, homophobia, and how she took the path towards active growth, fearless self-love and liberation.
source: IG @ Maria Thatill
On becoming Unbounded
Unbounded, published by Penguin Random House, was released Australia-wide on 21 February 2023. When asked why it was important for her to write this book, Maria said she had always wanted to write and had a creative flair from a young age. But she found it difficult to express her creativity with a lot of the conflicting messaging from her family and society.
“I found a lot of my creative expression in my teens and 20s was suppressed because of messaging that I was absorbing from many different places,” she admitted. “Everything from who I should be and what I should be doing career wise to what it is to be a good woman.”
Sadly, this translated to Maria suppressing the creative outlets she enjoyed – acting, writing, and makeup. As shared in chapter nine, somewhere in her mid-20s, she discovered it was important to "act out of your beliefs instead of your fears". This was a driving force for her to write the book – to help other young people who, similar to her, were surrounded by confusing messaging about life and who they should be.
“My book tells them that they don’t need to follow a blueprint,” she said. “They just need to do what feels most true for them.”
Having worked full time in the corporate world only a few years ago, Maria used a project management methodology to brainstorm ideas and initiatives for her book.
“I brain-dumped every thought I had. Then I started to group them, and clear themes started to become very apparent – a guide was emerging, interwoven with my personal story. I wanted each chapter to be a call to action, so I named each chapter after a verb.”
I asked Maria whether there were any stories that were particularly difficult for her to share. In her book, Maria talks about growing up experiencing financial insecurity and losing her family home when she was 23. “When I look back on it, my parents grew up in quite a privileged position in India. When we immigrated to Melbourne in the 80s, they didn’t necessarily have the financial literacy to ensure that we were set up for emergencies and unprecedented circumstances that can strip families of everything.”
She shared that she was primed for a scarcity mindset with money, and that when she started working, she thought that having ‘just enough’ was just that – enough. However, like many, she also wanted to appear ‘rich’ to get by in the circles she was in at the time.
“Talking about our family experiences with generational trauma and financial insecurity, where I had to relive it to write it, was hard, but also it meant my brother and parents were reliving it [with me].”
She spoke about what she wanted to reveal in the book to her parents and her brother, as the stories in the book also affect them. When asked if they wanted to omit anything from the book, Maria said her family were very supportive.
“They said, ‘Maria, there are going to be families who have experienced what we have and kids who lived and walked in your shoes. If they can pick up the book and realise that such a situation is not permanent and doesn’t define the rest of their lives, then put it out there.’”
Shedding old beliefs that no longer serve
Other than becoming a published author before the age of 30, Maria is also a fierce advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community. She is the 2023 Mardi Gras x Olay Ambassador for Olay’s Glow Up Your Own Way campaign.
“To come out to my parents at the age of 28 in 2021 was really challenging but if there’s one thing I’ve learnt, it’s that if you want to curate a fulfilling life you have to be willing to part with people, places, things and relationships that don’t serve that,” said Maria.
It required her to shed her old concerns about religious beliefs and required her to have months of open conversations with her parents.
“We have come a long way, to the point that I’m proud my brother, who identifies as gay, will be sitting next to me on the Olay float this year at the Sydney Mardi Gras parade on February 25, for their Glow Your Own Way campaign,” Maria added excitedly.
Maria acknowledged that she is one of the lucky ones that have supportive parents alongside her, but recognises this may not be the case for many.
“When you are authentic to yourself you will attract ‘your people’. Those people don’t have to be your biological family, although there is always hope for that.” shares Maria.
There are many resources and youth charities, such as Minus 18, who can help for anyone wanting to speak with a professional or need access to different resources.
source: IG @ Maria Thatill
What’s ahead for Maria?
Maria’s next project after the book was to get into acting – and that is what she did!
“I am so excited about Let’s Get Ducking Famous as an original content series,” said Maria.
Let's Get Ducking Famous features Maria's character Naomi, her friend, and their pet duck who they are trying to make famous on social media.
“I loved the experience of acting, now I’ve had a taste of it. It’s something I really want to pursue and was a great way to dip my toe into the water,” she said. “I’d love to do a film or a TV show with a bit of comedy thrown in. I love to entertain and make people laugh.”
Maria had some sage advice for young South Asian Australians like her who want to follow their dreams, be seen and have their voice heard.
"You're going to disrupt some circles and get lots of opinions by using your voice, so be prepared. The nature and culture of our community are conservative, so some values need to be. However, if you believe in something you need to believe in it even if your voice is shaking. “I say stand up as your ancestors are cheering you on and waiting for someone like you.”
source: IG @ Maria Thatill
Unbounded is available now in your local book stores and on the Penguin Australia website.
Shamima is a freelance writer who recently swapped Canberra’s frosty winter mornings to experience Melbourne’s four seasons in one day. As a first-generation Australian-Bangladeshi, she is interested in sharing stories from, and elevating the voices of, multicultural communities, particularly women of colour. On the other (not so serious) hand, Shamima likes to write about a range of topics including beauty, lifestyle, food and popular culture. She loves a good chat over delicious food, and takes pride in telling anyone and everyone about the importance of having a consistent skincare routine and wearing sunscreen. (even when WFH!)
