Are beauty pageants still relevant?

Say hello to Miss Universe Australia, 2020, Maria Thattil. The recently crowned Melbourne-based ex-government employee is ready to prove that beauty pageants aren’t just for girls that might be stereotypically pretty - but dumb (and that is, dumb in the mute sense of the word). The outspoken social justice advocate doesn’t fit the mould of a typical pageant queen, in the best possible way. Proud of her 160cm stature and Indian heritage, Maria is keen to use her platform to tear down the traditional standards of beauty that might prevent people like her from entering beauty pageants or public roles of any kind.    You can find Maria on Instagram at @mariathattil.    You can join the conversation, or drop us a question, via the Healthy-ish Australia Facebook page, here.   If you’re up for funny memes and health inspo follow Body+Soul on Instagram at @bodyandsoul_au   Or, head to bodyandsoul.com.au for your daily digital dose of health and wellness.   Each Sunday, you can pick up the latest copy of the Body+Soul/Stellar flipbook inside The Sunday Telegraph (NSW), the Sunday Herald Sun (Victoria), The Sunday Mail (Queensland), Sunday Mail (SA) and Sunday Tasmanian (Tasmania). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.