The Hidden Shine Book

I wrote a book called, The Hidden Shine, which is about finding our inner light when the outside world tries to dim it. This book was inspired from being on Married at First Sight, which was an unexpected journey that profoundly shaped my perspective on the outside world and media. It was a very "eye opening" experience for me, with a lot of in-depth realizations.

When I signed up for the show, Married at First Sight, I had no idea how much the experience would challenge me to look inward. I was type-cast as Mia Bally, the stalker, after meeting Tristan Thompson for the first time at the altar. As I had to endure an ex making untrue allegations about me, it was an intimate journey on national television forced me to confront my vulnerabilities, fears, and doubts in a very raw way.

The show magnified the importance of inner authenticity within myself. I had to dig deep, beyond the cameras, the tabloids, media and the expectations, to connect with the love and light inside of me. It wasn’t just about finding connection with another person; it was about finding a deeper connection with myself.

The experience of being stripped down to the core of who I am, under public scrutiny, made me realize that true love—whether romantic or self-love—comes from embracing your inner light, that unshakable part of yourself.

In writing my book, The Hidden Shine, I wanted to share that journey with anyone who was ever felt misunderstood, alone or disliked by the world. Some of my favorite lyrics by, King and Country, called "God Only Knows," really helped me decide who I wanted to dedicate my book to. The lyrics are:

For the lonely, for the ashamed, the misunderstood, and the ones to blame, what if we could start over?

The Hidden Shine is about tapping into an inner flame that resides in each of us, the one that keeps burning even when the world outside feels overwhelming or uncertain. My time on the MAFS show taught me that no matter what external challenges we face, we all have this inner light—a guiding force that, if nurtured, leads us to love, purpose, and authenticity. The lessons I learned during Married at First Sight became the foundation for this book, and I hope it inspires others to find their own inner light, no matter where life takes them.