Former Miss Universe Australia Maria Thattil reveals she is bisexual

Former Miss Universe Australia Maria Thattil says her appearance on I’m a Celebrity offered a perfect moment to reveal her sexuality.

Former Miss Universe Maria Thattil has revealed she is bisexual. Picture: Alex Coppel.

Former Miss Universe Australia Maria Thattil has revealed she is bisexual.

Days after opening up about her budding romance with British reality star Joey Essex, Thattil said she finally wanted to be transparent about her private life.

“I gained clarity and decided that my sexuality wasn’t going to be this secret to protect, but a part of me to embrace because the very reason I was private about it is exactly why I need to be open,’’ she told Confidential.

“Visibility matters. The more we come out, the more representation we have, the more people understand that sexuality doesn’t fit one mould.

“I grew up in a conservative community. The intersection of culture and religion complicates things. I’m privileged to have a family that has overcome conditioning around sexuality to be accepting of my brother and I.

Joey Essex and Maria Thattil on I'm A Celebrity.

“For the most part, everyone has been open. There are some that truthfully still don’t understand, but I’m learning it’s not for me to internalise whether or not someone else understands it.”

Thattil is currently appearing as a contestant on Ten reality series, I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here! and spoke to her fellow contestants about being bisexual.

Her past relationship was with a man and ended two years ago.

“I feel relieved, happy and proud of myself,’’ she said.

“I loved that talking about my sexuality happened one-on-one with my best friend in the camp. Prior to that moment, I never knew how I’d address it if I was ever seen on a date with a woman, because I didn’t want it to be this big, formal announcement out of the blue. So, I’m happy that the way I’ve shared it is by letting Australia in on an intimate moment with my friend.”

She added: “When my brother came out eight years ago, he left home for a period because it was a hard time for him to step in to himself in a conservative, religious and South Asian family.

“When young LGBTQIA+ youth feel unsupported they can end up in unsafe situations, which he did. Through grace, the experience helped my family to evolve beyond old ideas, we healed and he came home … but this is not always the reality for many LGBTQIA+ youth who are still actively oppressed for who they are and don’t make it home.”