He has won multiple awards including Nataraja Award, MTV Awards for singing, and Mani Mekhala Award, GQ Awards for acting. He is one of most followed artist in social media from Thailand. Presently, he is the global ambassador for Burberry and brand ambassador for Calvin Klein, Adidas, and Bangkok Bank M Visa in Thailand.[6][7][8][9][10]
Early life and education
Bright was born on 27 December 1997 in Nakhon Chai Si, Nakhon Pathom Province, Thailand, as Kunlatorn Chivaaree; he is of Thai-American-Chinese descent.[11] His parents got divorced when he was a child. He grew up in Thailand with his maternal relatives and his cousins. When he was a kid his mother named him "Bright".[12] In fourth grade, he changed his name from Kunlatorn to Vachirawit.[13] He grew up surrounded by musicians, as his uncle owned a music school.[14] At the age of 10, he started learning several musical instruments.[15]
Bright completed his lower secondary education at Suankularb Wittayalai School,[16] and upper secondary education at Triam Udom Suksa School.[17] He worked as a part-timer for small roles in the entertainment industry and paid for his own schooling.[18] He initially got a scholarship and taken Thammasat English Program of Engineering (TEPE) under the Faculty of Engineering of Thammasat University, but took break for a year to focus on his career.[19] Later, he decided to pursue marketing at Bangkok University International College, which endowed with a full scholarship too.[20] In 2021, he completed his Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Marketing.[21][22]
Career and business ventures
2013 - 2019: Beginning
In 2013, at the age of 15, Bright debuted as a variety show host in the 6th generation of Strawberry Krub Cake (SKC) on Channel 3 and his acting debut in SKC's short series The Beginning: Run Lovers Run produced by Duang Malee Maneejan and Nadao Bangkok. He featured in several small roles within the industry which includes TV dramas, music videos and a film. His notable roles are in Social Death Vote as "Day" and in I Sea U as "Peter".[23][24]
In 2018, Bright auditioned for New Face Project by GMMTV and got signed as an actor/artist. He mostly received supporting roles in few series. In 2019, he successfully auditioned for the role of "young Dr. Peng" in Nadao Bangkok's My Ambulance.[25] Later, he become one of the hosts of GMM 25's travel based show Toe Laew, joining the show in its first season from Episode 135. Success of the show led to second season in 2020, and he reprised his role as host.[26]
2020: Breakthrough
In 2020, Bright earned his breakthrough when he played "Sarawat", his first lead role, in 2gether: The Series.[27] The series became most viewed show on Line TV,[28] and gained national and international recognition.[29] He reprised his role in Still 2gether the sequel, and in 2gether: The Movie, which premiered in Tokyo.[30] In June 2021, Japanese director Shusuke Kaneko praised his intense acting on Twitter.[31]
2021 - present: rising popularity
In 2021, Bright played the lead role of "Thyme" ("Domyoji Tsukasa"), in F4 Thailand: Boys Over Flowers, a Thai adaptation of the Japanese manga Hana Yori Dango by Yoko Kamio, who expressed her delight on his screen presence.[32] He was selected for the role in 2019, however other casting and the shooting got delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[33] It finally aired on 18 December 2021 and was an international success which earned him many awards.[34]
In 2022, Bright starred as "Kimhan" in the romantic series Astrophile, which received positive reviews.[35] His guest appearance in an antagonistic role "Moth" in the fantasy series Midnight Museum gained highest viewership.[36] In 2023, he starred as "Tim" in Thai-Indian film Congrats My Ex!, a romantic comedy around Indian wedding alongside Ranee Campen.[37][38] The film ranked no.1 in Prime Video, Thailand and remained top ranked in many countries for more than two months.[39][40][41]
In 2023, his GMMTV contract got over and he became independent artist under his own agency, Cloud9 Entertainment.[42] In 2024, Bright's film Love You To Debt alongside Urassaya Sperbund released, a Thai adaptation of Man in Love.[43]
Business ventures
Bright launched his first merchandise under the brand name ASTRO Stuffs, in late May 2020.[44][45] In September 2021, he reimaged the appearance, marketing and mission of the brand which would promote sustainable fashion, use of recycled plastic and philanthropy.[46]
In September 2023, Bright established Cloud9 Entertainment, an artist management agency, and partnered with Universal Music Thailand to provide Thai talents an international platform.[49]Allbright is his official fan page/account.[50]
Bright appeared in various music videos during his early years of his career.[51] In July 2020, his first OPM song cover "With A Smile" was released as the official theme for Still 2getherPhilippines version.[52]
In 2021, Bright became youngest male artist to receive the "Best Song Drama" in 12th Nataraja Awards for his song "Kan Goo".[53] In Indonesia, he performed a duet with Tiara Andini at the Giveaway Roboguru Show.[54][55] He collaborated with the rapper F.Hero for the song "Sad Movie" and won the "Music of the Week" at T-pop Stage Award.[56] His first Thai single "Unmovable" is from the Boys Don't Cry project, a compilation album.[57] For this song, he won "Rookie of the Week" in T-pop Stage Award.[58][59]
In 2022, Bright released his first English single "Lost & Found".[60] His song "Good Times", with Kanyawee Songmuang, got positive reviews.[61] In 2023, Singaporean PM Lee Hsien Loong used the song for political video promotion during his visit in Thailand.[62][63]
In July 2022, Burberry officially unveiled Bright as its first global brand ambassador from the South Asia-Pacific region.[80]
"I am honoured to join the Burberry family as a brand ambassador. I have always admired their brand values and work to support communities. I am really excited to work so closely with the house and to bring its new creations to life" – Bright Vachirawit[81]
Since 2020, Bright has been modeling for British luxury brand Burberry.[82] He had special photography collaboration on "Lola Bags",[83] and attended pop-up event at Tanjong Beach Club in Sentosa, Singapore.[84] In London, his front-row debut at the British house's Spring Summer 2023 collection by Italian fashion designer Riccardo Tisci, garnered $1.7M in EMV based on WWD report.[85] On 20 February 2023, he attended Daniel Lee's debut Burberry AW23 collection, he being major contributor with $2.8M in EMV.[86] In July 2023, he debuted the Burberry Knight Bag,[87] and led the brand's Holiday Edit Collection campaign in ASEAN countries.[88]
On 10 July 2022, Bright as the brand ambassador of Adidas, attended an event with the Manchester United Players.[89] According to Launchmetrics, he contributed $7.1M Media Impact Value (MIV), making him one of "The Most Impactful Sportwear Influencers in 2022".[90] In October 2023, he featured in Adidas originals new brand logo launch campaign.[91][92]
On 9 August 2023, he became the first Thai based male artist to debut for Calvin Klein as its brand ambassador for the Autumn 2023 "Future Shift" Asian campaign.[93] He featured for CK's fall collections in Elle Men magazine and attended launch event of brand's '2023 Fall Collection' in Tokyo, Japan.[94][95][96][97]
In February Winter Fall 2022, he generated most of Gucci's Earned Media Value (EMV). In Milan Fashion Week FW22 for Prada, he has generated $934K in MIV.[99] Launchmetrics' Chief Marketing Officer, Alison Bringé recognized Bright as one of the most prominent Asian celebrities creating buzz around fashion events.[100]
Bright advocates on charitable activities like wildlife, forest conservation, marine life,[117] including mental health through "Sound of Happiness" joint initiative with UNICEF,[118] Sustainability in fashion business,[119] animal welfare and shelter,[120] and "Praew Charity Project" to help heart disease patients.[121] In 2020, Bright's merchandise sale proceeds went to the Seub Nakhasathien Foundation to support conservation of wildlife in Thailand.[122] In 2022, he initiated "One Tree Planted" to empowered farmers and "Right To Play - Protect. Educate. Empower" for underprivileged kids.[123] In 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Bright donated foods and supplies to those in needs in Khlong Toei district.[124]
In 2022, Bright and his fans organized a auction through which $75K collected for charity.[125] He contributed in the medical supplies for Elephants affected during COVID-19 pandemic,[126][127] donations were given to Elephant and Wildlife Research Center, Chiang Mai University and Thai Elephant Conservation Center Fund.[128]
Since 2020, Bright collaborated in raising money to help extinguish the forest fires in Chiang Mai province.[129][130] He supported "Help Volunteer Firefighters" project, during fire outbreak in the King Kaew factory.[131] The contributions made towards purchase of firefighter's suits and equipment for the volunteers, as they lack equipped logistics to perform high-risk tasks.[132]
Bright through his brand spread awareness on Mental Health with tagline "You Are Not Alone In The Universe",[133] to reduce stigma around it. He advocated on Earth Day and healthy planet.[134] He speaks on socio-political topics like voting.[135] He initiated "Love Is In Clean Air", that promoted travel by public transport to reduce traffic related air pollution.[136]
Personal life
Lifestyle and popularity
Bright's lifestyle includes reading, Muay Thai, boxing, and football.[137] He is a member of Monday Night Football Club.[138] He owns a bicolor ragdoll cat named Ame.[139] He enjoys photography which he shares via "isawitbefore", his exclusive dedicated account to post clicked pictures.[140] He posts cover songs on his Instagram, which was acknowledged by the original singers.[141][142][143][144][145]
By March 2024, he had over 18.7M Instagram,[146] 5M Twitter followers, 1M in Threads and 1M Spotify listeners.[147] He is the most followed Thai artist and 2nd most followed Thai celebrity across the globe.[148][149] He created his YouTube channel to upload few cover songs [150] and his personalised Facebook page has over 970K followers.[151]
Bright has been listed in the "Top 50 Influential" by Vogue[154] and by HOWE Magazine for his contributions in various fields.[155] His public image has earned him titles of 'Walking Louvre Museum',[156] 'Thailand's National Treasure',[157] 'Thai Supernova',[158] 'National Husband',[159] 'Godfather of Presenters',[160] 'King of Commercials' and many more.[161][162][163]
Within Thai industry, Bright is the first celebrity to have his own "Twitter Topic".[164] In 2021, he became highest earning male celebrity with ฿109M from brand endorsements on his Instagram.[165] He featured in "Top 100 Most Searched Asian on Google Worldwide" in 2022.[166] In 2023, Nielsen Thailand with a campaign value ฿56M, he was the top presenter for Lazada.[167] He featured in "Global Influencers" who has created highest EMV (Earned Media Value) during "Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2023".[168]
Bright features frequently in "Top 20 Most Attractive Asian Celebs"[169] alongside other eminent artists.[170] He ranked 7th in "Most Handsome and Beautiful in the World",[171] 5th in "The Global Face & Style Icon", 2nd in "l Magazine Fashion Face",[172] 8th in "Top Men in Fashion World",[173] 1st in "Attractive Thai Actors",[174] and 1st in "The Most Tweeted Thai Artists 2020".[175][176]
With 46% netizens votes, he ranked 1st in "Asian Drama Actor of the Year 2020".[177] In 2023, Bright was featured in Times Square, New York as "Top 20 Most Powerful Asian" celebrity.[178] He was ranked 1st in "Most Handsome Face" as per "Korean Plastic Surgeons Survey".[179] He features in "Most Handsome Man Alive" regularly.[180][181]
The discography of Bright consists of his elaborated music career, his singles, OST of the many series, live concerts within Thailand and across South-East Asia countries, his music video appearances for other singers and few collaborations.[221][222]
Title
Counts
Singles
6
Studio
7
Concerts
33
OST
8
Music Video appearance
20
Collab/ Promotional songs
2
Awards and nominations
Won
40
Nominated
35
*Few private voting based recognitions are not mentioned here.
