Photo: Peter Hurley, peterhurley.com
Melissa Nathalia blends personal exploration, ancient traditions, and dark fantasy to reclaim erased histories.
In a world where ancient cultures are often forgotten, and personal identities can become lost in the chaos of modern life, Melissa Nathalia is on a mission to revive them. As a transmedia artist, writer, and creator, she integrates the richness of traditional cultures with the compelling allure of fantasy fiction. Her journey is one of profound exploration of what happens when history, identity, and art intersect.
From the moment she began writing songs and horror stories at just seven years old, Melissa’s creative path was set. However, her story is far from simple. At 14, she became a child star in Kenya, using the stage name Mellow Dee, and collaborated with top East African musicians. Her success continued as she won titles like Miss India Kenya and Miss Zee Teen Queen. But it wasn’t fame or beauty pageants that would shape her true calling- it was the deeper exploration of identity, culture, and self-discovery that would eventually fuel her life’s work.
A Journey Rooted in Cultural Reclamation and Self-Discovery
For Melissa, creativity was always more than just performance; it became a tool to help others reconnect with their true selves. As a holistic brand identity and shadow work consultant, she has assisted countless creatives in confronting their internal struggles, guiding them toward healing and personal growth. Having studied acting and performance since 2011, she helped fellow performers reconnect with their audience in a more authentic way. This soul-centered work is reflected in her writing, where she explores the forgotten corners of identity and the often-overlooked power of self-transformation.
“True change starts within. We can’t address the darkness in the world if we don’t first confront our own shadows,” Melissa explains, emphasizing her belief that understanding the horrors of the world requires facing our internal darkness. Her own journey of self-exploration has been shaped by diverse cultures she’s encountered, having lived across multiple continents. Her connection to these cultures, especially her Goan roots and involvement with Tsáng Wǔ Gé, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving traditional Chinese martial arts, has led her to an important realization: the heartbeat of cultures erased by colonization and replaced by modernization need to be explored, celebrated, and reclaimed for a better world.
Weaving Ancient Wisdom into a Whimsical Fantasy World
Melissa’s latest project, a debut novel, is as much about reclamation as it is about storytelling. Set in a world inspired by the Portuguese Inquisition and the brutal colonization of Goa, her novel tells the story of a child navigating a fictionalized version of these historical events. This tale does not simply focus on conquest and loss but celebrates the sacred, ancient, and spiritual practices that modern society has forgotten.
In a world increasingly disconnected from its roots, Melissa’s novel invites readers into a fantastical realm that honors ancient rituals and traditions, blending them seamlessly with contemporary narratives of self-discovery. The novel, which is part of a larger epic fantasy series inspired by the Babylonian myth of Inanna’s descent into the underworld, is a journey into the heart of reclamation, of culture, identity, and power. It serves as a powerful reminder that we are all part of something larger than ourselves, and that our histories, even the painful ones, are worth preserving.
“The colonization of Goa isn’t just history; it’s a wound that mirrors so many stories of lost, stolen, and dying cultures, as well as my experience being mixed race and multicultural,” Melissa explains. “This novel is an attempt to address that wound and the concept of culture through exploration of ancestral severance and what we might do in its place, but it also explores the possibility of transformation, turning our pain into power.”
Expanding the Universe: A Film, an EP, a Shop, and a Fantasy Saga
Melissa’s creative ambitions don’t stop with her novel. She also wrote, directed, produced and starred in Inna’s Descent, a short film set for release in early 2026, which also explores deeper themes like the masks we wear during cultural or life shifts. The film will expand on the magical universe she’s creating in her debut standalone novel. The novel and short film both act as the introduction for an upcoming multi-book fantasy saga that explores a culture where magical martial arts and the sacred are forbidden, inviting viewers into a world where personal transformation and cultural reclamation are central to the narrative.
Alongside the film, Melissa is releasing a self-produced EP and launching The Turning Talisman, an online shop selling digital and physical products inspired by her fictional world. The goal is to bring more stillness and magic into everyday life, infusing it with the wonder and reverence that Melissa explores in her creative work. From candles to cosy blankets, each item will be a tangible piece of the worlds she has crafted, designed to evoke a sense of mystery, power, nostalgia, and beauty.
“Magic isn’t just in fantasy stories,” Melissa says. “It’s in the small things, how we carry ourselves, the traditions we honor, the stories we tell. I want to bring a little of that magic into the lives of others.”
The Art of Empowerment Through Storytelling
What sets Melissa Nathalia apart from others in her field is her ability to merge diverse influences into a single, cohesive artistic vision. Her work is a testament to the power of reclaiming lost histories and forgotten traditions, whether through dark fantasy fiction, shadow work, or self exploration. While many artists rely on familiar tropes, Melissa’s work is deeply personal and transformative. It is a call to confront the parts of ourselves and our histories that have been ignored or erased.
“I want my work to be an invitation,” she says. “An invitation to dive deeper into ourselves, to reclaim what has been demonized by a society that prioritises comfort over truth and healing, and to understand that we are more powerful than we’ve been led to believe – but only when we truly embrace what is, darkness and all.”
As a multifaceted artist, she is not simply telling stories, but creating entire universes that invite her audience to step into a world of magic, reflection, and reclamation. Her work is not just for entertainment, it is a tool for empowerment. By confronting personal and cultural shadows, Melissa’s stories offer a pathway to healing, growth, and self-realization. It’s no surprise, then, that the majority of her past clients claim that her work helped them love and accept themselves.
Join the Journey of Reclamation and Discovery
As Melissa continues to work on her novel, short film, EP, and online shop, she invites readers and fans to join her on this powerful journey of reclaiming lost shadows and cultures. Through her work, she is crafting a new narrative, one where transformation is possible, and where magic and empowerment are within reach for all.
To learn more about Melissa Nathalia’s creative work and follow her journey, be sure to follow her on Instagram at @emnathalia or @theturningtalisman. If you’re ready to explore a world where cultural history, self-discovery, and magic intersect, stay tuned for her upcoming debut novel, short film, and other exciting projects that will bring you closer to the magic she’s creating. Don’t miss the chance to be a part of this transformative world.