MARIA THATTIL
THERE ARE NO LIMITS FOR THIS MULTIFACETED MODEL AND SPEAKER
When media personality Maria Thattil, 30, decided to pen her new book Unbounded, she didn’t realise the emotional toll it would take. “I went back to therapy last year, prompted by some of the stuff that came up,” she told WHO. The memoir shares stories from her life and “pearls of wisdom” that she has gained so far. Dealing with racism, sexism, financial hardship, intergenerational trauma, homophobia and mental health challenges along the way has meant a rocky road to selfdiscovery for the star. Being vulnerable was something that she was happy to be in order to connect to her readers. “I knew that this was a medium where I could share so much more of myself than the snippets people get on my TV segments, my column or on social media,” she said.
In writing her book, Thattil adopted a conversational and almost poetic tone. “I wanted it to feel like people were sitting on the couch with me and talking directly to me,” explains the author. “I’ve had some really dark moments in my life and often books have been a saving grace for me. I think human beings tend to connect to stories most, we’re moved and compelled by stories. I wanted to be honest because this is how you connect with people, but I wanted to do it in a way that inspires hope.”Thattil says that choosing the title came easy. “So much of the language in the book talks about the boxes that society puts you in. The way you look, your race, your faith,” she explains. “I speak so much about transcending those boxes and manifesting a life beyond limits. It’s about people being able to live a life outside of the box, without bounds.”Thattil says 2023 is going to be her “best year yet” and that she’s excited for the coming months. “I’ve got a little bit in the works,” she shares. “And I’m so ready for it.” (Out now)