AFLW player Mo Hope and Maria Thattil in rare public display
Former AFLW player Moana Hope and Former Miss Universe Australia Maria Thattil have raised eyebrows.
AFL
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Former AFLW player Moana Hope and Former Miss Universe Australia Maria Thattil have raised eyebrows with a rare public display.
The adorable couple stole the show at the Australian Grand Prix’s Glamour on the Grid gala event in Melbourne this week.
Watch the FORMULA 1 ROLEX AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX LIVE in 4K and ad-break free during racing. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial Today >
The couple’s relationship has played out in very public circumstances after Hope’s split from wife Isabella Carlstrom last year.
Hope was forced to defend her relationship with Thattil when the couple went public with their relationship last September — just months after Hope’s marriage breakdown became public knowledge.
Thattil and Hope have shared loved up photos with their social media followers in recent months, but the pair have rarely been seen in such an affectionate display in public.
They were all over each other at the ritzy Australian Grand Prix event on the iconic Albert Park pit lane on Wednesday night.
Hope, who also starred on a recent series of Australian Survivor stepped onto the red carpet wearing a satin oversized blazer and trousers that featured buckles on down the open sides of the pants.
Thattil co-ordinated with her partner, wearing a daring dress that risked a wardrobe malfunction as she had a single thick buckle across her chest. The frock featured more buckles around her midsection with the dress featuring a thigh-high split in the skirt.
Thattil finished the look with a small silver clutch handbag.
The Australian Grand Prix’s Glamour on the Grid has become one of the ritziest events on the Melbourne social scene with 800 guests stepping out in their fanciest threads.
Celebrities such as former AFL WAGs Bec Judd and Nadia Bartel, Channel Seven presenter Abbey Gelmi and model and actor Olympia Bellchambers were in attendance.
Judd wore a dramatic metallic number that featured a daring plunging neckline and a sheer chain mail skirt.
She kept her hair and makeup simple due to the detailed dress, which she paired with dainty jewellery, open-toe black heels and a small clutch.
Meanwhile, Bartel opted for a taupe backless dress, with the colour palette incredible on-trend for the autumn season.
The dress featured a daring split up the side with long sheer panelling.
She kept her hair in loose waves around her face and finished the look with bulky gold heels.
Former Neighbours actor Sharon Johal wore a skin-tight strapless maroon dress to the Glamour on the Grid event. The dress flared out around the knees.
Model Ellie Gonsalves’ outfit was completely sheer, living little to the imagination.
The white dress featured a dramatic skirt and a body shirt that was reminiscent of a fairy, with the long sleeve dress featuring various jewels on it.
Gelmi was one of the few on the red carpet who opted for colour at the Glamour on the Grid event.
Her strapless floor-length sequin dress transitioned from gold at the top to a light purple that shone in the lights from the knees.
She finished the look with an oversized satin purple shawl that added dramatic depth to the dress.
Meanwhile Bellchambers, who many would know by the last name Vallance before her marriage in 2022 to former AFL player Thomas Bellchambers, also opted for a bold colour at the event.
The 34-year-old wore a backless red dress that hugged her figure at the exclusive event, with the dress also featuring a train that flowed behind her.
She styled her hair in an elegant up-do with her fringe coming across her face.
Meanwhile, Thattil recently opened up about her decision to pose nude on the cover of Stellar magazine.
In a wide-ranging interview with the magazine, for which she’s also a columnist, the 31-year-old admitted it’s “just not in my nature to worry about how someone else might perceive” her baring-all in the photos.
“I think women are held to standards of scrutiny that make us feel like to be taken seriously, or to get ahead, we need to be palatable, but we can’t be too sexy and we can’t show skin,” Thattil said.
“We’re not allowed to just exist as we are.”
In other facets of her life, particularly when it comes to her current relationship with former AFLW player Moana Hope, Thattil has made the decision to draw back from the public.
“I’m an open book, and I think so much of my personal life, relationships or family stuff has been the subject of my columns or my blog or my work,” she said.
“And I’ve loved them because I really think that it is through storytelling that we connect with people – that people understand you or feel impacted by something you say. So I think it is important to share.”
She explained she’s learnt how important it is to protect parts of your life.
“In this digital world that we live in, strangers do feel entitled to you; sometimes they can have parasocial relationships where they feel entitled to ask me things,” she added.
“I always think to myself, these people would never walk up to you in the street and just, point-blank, to your face, ask you this stuff. And I feel like I don’t want that undue pressure.”
Hope and Carlstrom parted ways last May, after four years of marriage and with two children.
“Historically I don’t entertain those kind of comments or opinions but I actually responded to that person and I asked if they can send me the book on how to be separated,” Hope said at the time.
“Because I think there is an index section in that book that can tell me how long you’re supposed to wait after separating form someone, that you should find happiness.
“I have moved on, the other person has moved on. We are good and everyone’s happy and healthy. Why can’t I have happiness?
“Talking about my own experience here – whether I’m dating one person, multiple people, whether I’m thinking about one day would I get married again, whatever decision I make for me is my choice.
“I don’t need to follow some book or time frame based on what’s appropriate. Or acceptable to people.”
Originally published as AFLW player Mo Hope and Maria Thattil in rare public display
Newman facing MCG ban over simple act
Sam Newman is staring down the barrel of being banned from entering the MCG over one act that played out on grand final day.
Free trade tracker: Dons eyeing Giants’ first-round pick
Trade requests, the latest rumours and every player linked with your club. Stay across every big AFL trade story and see who could be on the move in our Trade Tracker.