Former Miss Universe Australia beauty Maria Thattil has shocked her Instagram fans by revealing a horrific stream of racial abuse directed at her by a stranger.
The bisexual model, 31, who was born in Melbourne to Indian parents, revealed how she was racially abused by a man at a petrol station after he misinterpreted a simple action.
‘I was at the petrol station and there was a couple in front of me and the man heard me breathe and thought I sighed at him,’ Maria began.
‘He started abusing me for sighing at him and I’m like, “you heard me breathe, that’s it”. This man is abusing me at my car.’
She added the man began hurling racial abuse at her and said: ‘I’m abusing you because you’re a f***ing immigrant.’
Maria then said she felt racism was a long-standing issue in Australia and something needed to be done to help change people’s views.
‘I’m a daughter of very hard-working immigrants and to me they are the best thing about Australia. People with these racist, hateful ideas are a stain on the country.’
She told her followers she had reported the incident to the police, but they were unable to take action as the altercation had only been verbal.
Former Miss Universe Australia beauty Maria Thattil (pictured) has shocked her Instagram fans by revealing a horrific case of racial abuse she received from a stranger
Many of Thattil’s celebrity friends quickly took to the comment section to share their supportive comments.
‘Ugh, I am so sorry this happened. That is disgusting behaviour,’ wrote model Olivia Molly Rogers and Maria’s Neighbours co-star Takaya Honda added: ‘All my love for you for sharing. I hope you’re doing okay.’
Maria’s parents moved to Melbourne from India in the early 1990s, where Thattil was born in 1993.
Her father Tony, a former Catholic priest from Kerala, left the church when he fell in love with her mother Nicky, who was born in Kolkata.
The bisexual model, 31, who was born in Melbourne to Indian parents, revealed how she was racially abused by a man at a petrol station after he misinterpreted a simple action
In March, Thattil revealed that while she is open about her growing romance with AFLW star Moana Hope, 36, there are some things she prefers to keep private to protect her relationship.
The stunning model is dating AFLW star Moana Hope and the pair have been at many red carpet events and spotted cuddling on social media.
The couple have been dating for several months following Hope’s split from her ex-wife, Isabella Carlstrom.
Maria’s parents moved to Melbourne from India in the early 1990s, where Thattil was born in 1993. Pictured with her parents and brother Dominic
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