Ex-Miss Universe makes shock career change in ‘full circle’ moment

Former Miss Universe Australia Maria Thattil will join the cast of Neighbours next year, saying performing on camera is her “happy place”.

Former Miss Universe Australia Maria Thattil has fulfilled a long-harboured desire to become an actor.

The glamorous author and campaigner has this week started filming a guest role on Neighbours.

“Earlier in the year, I submitted an audition for a different character when Neighbours were first casting for the reboot,” Thattil said.

“Audaciously, I took a punt submitting a self-tape for a role that I knew I probably looked a little too young to play, ha. However, the team at Neighbours loved it. They were gracious enough to call me back for a different role and voila … Amira Devkar is coming to Ramsay St.”

Maria Thattil will join the cast of Neighbours in 2024.

Thattil’s character Amira Devkar is the older sister of Haz Devkar, played by regular cast member Shiv Palekar.

“The opportunity is so aligned to my deepest values because I’m joining Neighbours at a time where the show is evolving beautifully to tell even more Australian stories,’’ Thattil said.

“I genuinely can’t remember ever seeing a gay female South Asian Australian character on an Aussie TV show in my childhood and I always wonder how proper representation – beyond tokenism or exaggerated caricatures – would’ve changed some of my experiences with racism, homophobia, feeling like I didn’t belong, wasn’t normal or Australian enough.

“This role feels ‘full circle’ because it’s giving me the chance to be the authentic representation that I, and wider Australia, has needed.

“Importantly though, diverse and progressive characters aren’t just boxes to tick nor are they just fun storylines. These characters represent real Australians whose stories haven’t been told in the mainstream and I’m so proud of Neighbours for doing the work to bring change, evolve and properly represent different lived experiences. We all deserve to be seen and heard.”

Thattil trained in her early teens at Stage School Australia and took classes at BRAVE Studios in 2021, then resumed more coaching after publishing her book at the start of this year.

Thattil will debut on air next year.

“I absolutely hope that this leads to more acting work because it’s where I want to be,’’ she said.

“I’ve had the privilege of doing so many wild things over the last three years since I’ve forayed into media, and I’ve experienced a lot, but acting has been a constant ambition and it’s incredible to be bringing it into fruition. Telling stories, walking in someone else’s shoes and performing on camera is my happy place.”