For the second year during a row, an Indian-origin woman has been crowned Miss Universe Australia. In 2019, it had been India-born Priya Serrao. In 2020, it’s Maria Thattil, daughter of Indian migrants Maria may be a model. She may be a makeup artist. She may be a fashion stylist and blogger. She is an influencer and has on the brink of 60,000 followers on Instagram. And now, she is additionally a beauty queen who will represent Australia at the Miss Universe beauty pageant next year.
27-year-old Maria, born and raised in Melbourne says she couldn’t believe it when her name was called because the winner of the Miss Universe Australia 2020 contest We had just begin of the lockdown in Melbourne and therefore the finals which were scheduled to be held online, at the eleventh hour , were allowed to be held face to face in Melbourne,” Maria told SBS Hindi.
“There was with great care much energy within the room after spending over 100 days in lockdown. We had such a lot happening . i used to be thrilled to be meeting the opposite girls and being with them and eventually when my name was called out, to be honest, i used to be during a daze. I remember everyone surrounding me and giving me a hug and shouting that I had won,” she says.
Her parents, who watched her win the title from their couch reception , were absolutely thrilled, Maria says My parents watched it live online. They jumped in joy. My mum was so proud. She has followed Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Sushmita Sen, Lara Dutta. And as Australians, we are huge fans of Jennifer Hawkins. So she is of course incredibly pleased with me. it’s pretty special for them,” she says.
Growing up Indian in Melbourne Maria’s parents migrated from India within the early 90s My dad is from Kerala. He still has family there and that i have travelled to India to go to my dad’s side of the family. My mom is from Kolkata. When she migrated, her entire family migrated too. So I grew up with an outsized family of uncles and aunts and much of cousins in Melbourne,” Maria says.
Maria and her younger brother were born and raised in Melbourne, but she says she was raised during a typical Indian-family setup.
“We have an outsized family here. While growing up, we spent all weekends together. we’ve tons of”> numerous cousins and that i grew up during a typical Indian family found out with many informal gatherings and spending a lot of your time with the family,” she says.
Like most second-generation migrant kids, Maria too identifies herself as a 3rd culture kid who was influenced by her Indian roots in Western society.
“I belong here and at an equivalent time, I strongly resonate with my Indian roots. I even have found a balance between the 2 . it’s not either-or on behalf of me . this is often who i’m and it’s very unique,” she says his Indian-Australian loves her spicy chicken biryani and onion bhaji.
“I totally like it . and that i am also an enormous fan of Deepika Padukone. I saw her in Om Shanti Om and that i like her such a lot – her style, her confidence. I absolutely love her,” she says.
Like most second-generation migrant kids, Maria too identifies herself as a 3rd culture kid who was influenced by her Indian roots in Western society.
“I belong here and at an equivalent time, I strongly resonate with my Indian roots. I even have found a balance between the 2 . it’s not either-or on behalf of me . this is often who i’m and it’s very unique,” she says This Indian-Australian loves her spicy chicken biryani and onion bhaji.
“I totally like it . and that i am also an enormous fan of Deepika Padukone. I saw her in Om Shanti Om and that i like her such a lot – her style, her confidence. I absolutely love her,” she says.
An advocate of inclusion and variety
Maria has degrees in psychology and management and currently works as a talent acquisition professional with the Victorian government in Melbourne.
As someone who is responsible of hiring personnel, she may be a strong advocate of representation who believes inclusion shouldn’t be limited to only ethnicity.
“I have always championed inclusion and not just limited it to ethnicity but also sexuality, gender, ability. I strongly believe representation matters. A society where every voice can thrive. we’d like to form space for people to precise themselves regardless of their background,” she says.
Her message, especially one to young girls is to define their own future.
“No matter what’s your past, what your social identity is, what your circumstances could also be . it’s absolutely imperative to not let it define you. the longer term is up to you and you alone can define it,” she says.