Maria Thattil says she is avoiding ‘unnecessary pressure’ on romance with AFLW star Moana Hope by keeping details of their relationship private
Maria Thattil has revealed that while she is open about her new romance, there are things she keeps private to protect her growing relationship.
The former Miss Universe Australia is dating AFLW star Moana Hope and the pair have been to many red carpet events and seen cuddling on social media.
But the 31-year-old tells the new issue of Stellar magazine that there is a limit to what she will share with the public.
“Something I’ve learned is the importance of protecting certain parts of your life and keeping something sacred,” she said.
“In this digital world we live in, strangers feel entitled to you; sometimes they can have parasocial relationships where they feel entitled to ask me things.
Maria Thattil (pictured) has revealed that while she is open about her new romance, there are things she keeps private to protect her growing relationship
‘I always think to myself, these people would never walk up to you on the street and just ask you these things to your face. And I feel like I don’t want that unnecessary pressure,” she added.
The couple has been dating for several months after Hope split from her ex-wife, Isabella Carlstrom.
In September, Hope herself dismissed the criticism and Maria reconciled too early after her divorce from Isabella, with whom she shares two children.
An emotionally charged Moana said on Instagram that there are no set rules for when to move on if you break up.
“Can they send me the book on how to get divorced?” Moana said in a video on Instagram.
“Is there an index section in that book that tells you how long you have to wait before being separated from someone before you find happiness?”
She went on to say that the choice to move forward is hers.
“Whether I date one person or multiple people… Whatever decision I make for me is my choice. I don’t have to follow a book,” she said.
The sportswoman added that she was “the happiest in a long time” with Maria, adding that her mental health had also improved.
“If I decide to date… That’s my choice. “I don’t need anyone to tell me what’s acceptable,” she said.
The couple made the rounds at a number of Melbourne premieres, including Death of a Salesman in September.
The couple later looked still in love as they put on a loving show at the Marie Claire Women of the Year Awards
“Something I’ve learned is the importance of protecting certain parts of your life and keeping something sacred,” she said
They were spotted packing on the PDA at a restaurant in Melbourne.
Maria even introduced her father to her new love as he was photographed enjoying a meal together.
Moana split from Carlstrom in May 2022, explaining that they had “tried everything to get their relationship back on track,” but she “wasn’t feeling the same as she used to.”
Maria also recently went through a high-profile breakup after she and her TikTok star ex-girlfriend Jorgia O’Hare announced their separation in June.
Maria wrote on Instagram at the time: ‘After a beautiful year together, Jorgia and I want to share that we are no longer together.
‘Her love healed so much in me and was a light that I missed for a long time.’
Read more in this week’s Stellar Magazine