At a glance…
- Michael Theo is an Australian actor, podcaster, and Autism consultant and advocate.
- First appearing in reality show Love on the Spectrum, Michael now stars in ABC comedy series Austin, with Season 3 soon to premiere.
- Michael shares what he’s learned about love, in various forms, with host Tiffany Dunk on The Australian Women’s Weekly Love Stories podcast.
First appearing on reality show Love on the Spectrum in 2019, Michael Theo has become a familiar, friendly face on Australian television. Now starring in the award-winning ABC comedy series Austin, he is an actor, podcaster, and autism consultant and advocate, navigating being in the public eye and dating as a neurodivergent person.
When Michael was first diagnosed with autism as a young child, his parents were told that he may never be capable of empathy. “That’s when my mother said, I want Michael to have better,” he shares. And proving the doctors wrong, he prides himself on his ability to give and receive love in many forms.
His mother’s strong presence in Michael’s life helped shape his perception of love.
“[She did] all the things that a loving mother should do – be supportive, encouraging, and firm but fair,” he tells Tiffany Dunk, as he joins her on an episode of The Australian Women’s Weekly Love Stories podcast.
Listen to the episode:
Looking back on his childhood, Michael recalls always feeling like he was different to others. But instead of letting this hold him back, he chose to embrace it. Now, he’s proud of being unapologetically himself.
“Why be normal when you were born to stand out?” he asks. This has become his kind of mantra; he tells Tiffany on the podcast.
As a young child obsessed with watching animations on television, Michael dreamed of becoming an actor. His parents recognised a talent within him and supported him through his endeavours, from reality TV to starring in his own series. “When I was younger, I didn’t know if I’d ever have the chance. But now I do,” he reflects.
Appearing on Love on the Spectrum launched Michael into the public eye, and he experienced many of his dating milestones in front of both an Australia-wide and international audience.
He soon realised the magical depiction of romantic love he envisioned as a child, mostly reflected in the media, was unrealistic. “The world we live in is too complicated for it to be a fairy tale, and romantic love should not be seen in an idealistic way,” he shares.
However, somewhere along the way, Michael discovered that love comes in many forms, including platonic love in the form of friendship. And he considers himself lucky to have found this in his best friend, Briana. “She’s basically like the soulmate that I never had,” he expresses.
He has also grasped an understanding of the value of self-love, highlighting that whether single or in a relationship, it’s important for him to remain independent and put himself first. “You can’t live your life just to please others, because what about your needs?” he stresses.
Michael feels there is a gap for neurodivergent people when it comes to social and romantic connections, as trying to put yourself out there and meet people can be a struggle. But by being involved in groups within the autistic community, he hopes to make the world a better place by sharing his experiences and helping others along their journey.
Despite the challenges of dating, and after experiencing both his first long-term relationship and their break-up, he has maintained a positive outlook as he continues to learn more about himself.
Past experiences have helped him to identify his wants and needs in a relationship, with the ultimate goal of growing alongside someone. To him, the most important lesson has been understanding what healthy, balanced love looks like. “Love pushes you to move forward every day and want to do better,” he tells Tiffany.
Today, Michael gears up for the release of Season 3 of Austin, where he’s excited about continuing to bring his love for acting to life. And alongside that passion, he still holds an unwavering desire to find a partner to share his life with, stating, “I consider romantic love a sacred treasure.”
Watch the episode:
Season 3 of Austin premieres on ABC & ABC iview on November 11.
Listen to The Australian Women’s Weekly Love Stories podcast wherever you get your podcasts. Watch full episodes on YouTube now.
