He has won multiple awards including Nataraja Award, MTV Awards for singing, and Mani Mekhala Award, GQ Awards for acting. Presently, he is the global ambassador for Burberry, Calvin Klein, a brand ambassador for Adidas and Bangkok Bank M Visa in Thailand.[7][8][9] In 2023, he received the debutant "Golden Cane Award", presented by Kiera Chaplin, which acknowledged his contributions in the professional fields.[10][11]
In 2024, Bright became member of 'The Business of Fashion 500 Class' (BOF) Paris for shaping the global fashion industry.[12]
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.[13][14] 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".[15] In fourth grade, he changed his name from Kunlatorn to Vachirawit.[16] He grew up surrounded by musicians, as his uncle owned a music school.[17] At the age of 10, he started learning several musical instruments.[18]
Bright completed his lower secondary education at Suankularb Wittayalai School,[19] and upper secondary education at Triam Udom Suksa School.[20] He worked as a part-timer for small roles in the entertainment industry and paid for his own schooling.[21] 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.[22] Later, he decided to pursue marketing at Bangkok University International College, which endowed with a full scholarship too.[23] In 2021, he completed his Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Marketing.[24][25]
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".[26][27]
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.[28] 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.[29]
2020: Breakthrough
In 2020, Bright earned his breakthrough when he played "Sarawat", his first lead role, in 2gether: The Series.[30] The series became most viewed show on Line TV,[31] and gained national and international recognition.[32] He reprised his role in Still 2gether the sequel, and in 2gether: The Movie, which premiered in Tokyo.[33] In June 2021, Japanese director Shusuke Kaneko praised his intense acting on Twitter.[34]
2021 - 2023: 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.[35] He was selected for the role in 2019, however other casting and the shooting got delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[36] It finally aired on December 2021 and was an international success which earned him many awards.[37]
In 2022, Bright starred in the romantic series Astrophile, which received positive reviews.[38] His guest role as an antagonistic "Moth" in the fantasy series Midnight Museum gained highest viewership.[39] In 2023, he starred in Thai-Indian film Congrats My Ex!, a romantic comedy around Indian wedding,[40] which ranked in Top 5 romcom in Prime Video.[41]
In 2023, his GMMTV contract ended and he became independent artist under his own agency, Cloud9 Entertainment.[42]
2024 onwards: present
In 2024, Bright's film Love You To Debt, a Thai adaptation of Man in Love,[43] success led its release on Netflix and was presented on 'Thai Movie Day' in Paris at Champs-Élysées.[44] His movie Congrats My Ex! was promoted at Cannes Film Festival to showcase creative growth of the Thai industry.[45] On 16 May 2024, Bright featured in Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia, which ranks people who made notable achievements in their respective fields.[46]
Business ventures
Bright launched his first merchandise under the brand name ASTRO Stuffs, in late May 2020.[47] In September 2021, he reimaged the appearance, marketing and mission of the brand which would promote sustainable fashion, use of recycled plastic and philanthropy.[48]
In September 2023, Bright established Cloud9 Entertainment, an artist management agency, and partnered with Universal Music Thailand to provide Thai talents an international platform.[51]Allbright is his official fan account.[52]
Bright appeared in various music videos during his early years of his career.[53] In July 2020, his first OPM song cover "With A Smile" was released for Still 2getherPhilippines version.[54] In 2021, Bright became youngest male artist to receive the "Best Song Drama" in 12th Nataraja Awards for his song "Kan Goo".[55] His first Thai single "Unmovable" was from the Boys Don't Cry album and for this song he won "Rookie of the Week" in T-pop Stage Award.[56]
In 2022, Bright released his first English single "Lost & Found".[57] His song "Good Times", with Kanyawee Songmuang, got positive reviews.[58] In 2023, Singaporean PM Lee Hsien Loong used the song for political video promotion during his visit in Thailand.[59][60] In 2023, he released his single My Ecstasy Feat D. Gerrard from his mini album Adolescent as a creative director under the label RISER Music.[61][62] This song was top requested song on HITZ 955, Thailand.[63][64]
In 2024, Bright concentrated mainly on his musical career, he participated in Summer Sonic Festival and Home Party event in Thailand, Japan and Indonesia.[65][66] His singles Long Run & Sleeping Pills along with Thai song writer Thammathai Phalangsilp (Timethai), received positive reception.[67] He performed a special program at NHK Expo event,[68] where his new single Long Showers was premiered, which is a collaboration with 88rising.[69] He surpassed 100M streams across all his credits on Spotify.[70]
In July 2022, Burberry officially unveiled Bright as its first global brand ambassador from the South Asia-Pacific region.[82]
"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[83]
Since 2020, Bright has been modeling for British luxury brand Burberry.[84] He had special photography collaboration on "Lola Bags".[85][86] In London, his front-row debut at SS23 collection by Italian fashion designer Riccardo Tisci, garnered $2M EMV based on WWD report.[87] In 2023, he attended Daniel Lee's debut Burberry AW23 collection, were he was major contributor with $2.8M EMV.[88] He debuted and led brand's many campaigns in across the globe. [89]
On 10 July 2022, Bright as the brand ambassador of Adidas, attended an event with the Manchester United Players.[90] According to Launchmetrics, he contributed $7.1M Media Impact Value (MIV), making him one of "The Most Impactful Sportwear Influencers in 2022".[91] In October 2023, he featured in Adidas originals new brand logo launch campaign.[92][93]
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" Asia campaign.[94] He featured for CK's in Elle Men magazine and attended launch event of brand's '2023 Fall Collection' in Tokyo, Japan.[95][96]
2024 onwards: present
In May 2024, Bright made history by becoming the first Thai artist to attended Met Gala at New York and was top ranked for Burberry contributing $7.5M EMV.[97] He appeared for Gentle Monster sunglasses campaign at Siam Paragon, Bangkok.[98] Calvin Klein's new global campaign 'Bright' is named after him.[99] On 28 September 2024, he became member for 'The BOF 500 Class: Star Society' at Paris, France, criteria based on his leadership, creativity and impact.[100]
"Bright is a talented performer who works extremely hard, possesses confidence and has an innate charisma" – Daniel Lee, British Designer, Vogue 2024[101]
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.[103] Launchmetrics' Chief Marketing Officer, Alison Bringé recognized Bright as one of the most prominent Asian celebrities creating buzz around fashion events.[104]
Bright advocates on charitable activities like wildlife, forest conservation, marine life,[121] including mental health through 'Sound of Happiness' joint initiative with UNICEF,[122] Sustainability in fashion business,[123] animal welfare and shelter,[124] and 'Praew Charity Project' to help heart disease patients.[125] In 2020, Bright's merchandise sale proceeds went to the Seub Nakhasathien Foundation to support conservation of wildlife in Thailand.[126] In 2022, he initiated 'One Tree Planted' to empowered farmers and 'Right To Play - Protect. Educate. Empower' for underprivileged kids.[127] In 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Bright donated foods and supplies to those in needs in Khlong Toei district.[128]
Since 2020, Bright collaborated in raising money to help extinguish the forest fires in Chiang Mai province.[132][133] He supported 'Help Volunteer Firefighters' project, during fire outbreak in the King Kaew factory.[134] The contributions made towards purchase of firefighter's suits and equipment for the volunteers, as they lack equipped logistics to perform high-risk tasks.[135]
Bright through his brand spread awareness on Mental Health with tagline 'You Are Not Alone In The Universe',[136] to reduce stigma around it. He speaks on socio-political topics like voting.[137] He advocated on Earth Day and healthy planet and initiated 'Love Clean Air', that promoted travel by public transport to reduce traffic related air pollution.[138]
Personal life
Lifestyle and popularity
Bright's lifestyle includes reading, Muay Thai, boxing, and football.[139] He is a member of Monday Night Football Club.[140] He owns a bicolor ragdoll cat named Ame.[141] He enjoys photography which he shares via "isawitbefore".[142][143] He posts cover songs on his Instagram, which were acknowledged by the original singers.[144]
By August 2024, he had over 18M Instagram,[145] 5M Twitter followers, 1M in Threads and 1M Spotify listeners.[146] He is the most followed Thai artist and 2nd most followed Thai celebrity across the globe.[147][148] He created his YouTube channel to upload few cover songs [149] and his personalised Facebook page has over 970K followers.[150]
Bright has been listed in the "Top 50 Influential" by Vogue[153] and by HOWE Magazine for his contributions in various fields.[154] His public image has earned him titles of 'Walking Louvre Museum',[155] 'Thailand's National Treasure',[156] 'Thai Supernova',[157] 'National Husband',[158] 'Godfather of Presenters',[159] 'King of Commercials' and many more.[160][161][162]
Within Thai industry, Bright is the first celebrity to have his own "Twitter Topic".[163] In 2021, he became highest earning male celebrity with ฿109M from brand endorsements on his Instagram.[164] He featured in "Top 100 Most Searched Asian on Google Worldwide" in 2022.[165] In 2023, Nielsen Thailand with a campaign value ฿56M, he was the top presenter for Lazada.[166] He featured in "Global Influencers" who has created highest EMV (Earned Media Value) during "Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2023".[167]
Bright features frequently in "Top 20 Most Attractive Asian Celebs"[168] alongside other eminent artists.[169] He ranked 7th in "Most Handsome and Beautiful in the World",[170] 5th in "The Global Face & Style Icon", 2nd in "l Magazine Fashion Face",[171] 8th in "Top Men in Fashion World",[172] 1st in "Attractive Thai Actors",[173] and 1st in "The Most Tweeted Thai Artists 2020".[174][175]
With 46% netizens votes, he ranked 1st in "Asian Drama Actor of the Year 2020".[176] In 2023, Bright was featured in Times Square, New York as "Top 20 Most Powerful Asian" celebrity.[177] He was ranked 1st in "Most Handsome Face" as per "Korean Plastic Surgeons Survey".[178] He features in "Most Handsome Man Alive" regularly.[179][180] In 2024, he featured in Top 5 'Most Handsome Man In The World'.[181]
The discography of Bright consists of his elaborated music career, his singles, OST of many series, live concerts within Thailand and across South-East Asia countries, his music video appearances for other singers and few collaborations.[220][221]
Title
Counts
Singles
9
Studio
7
Concerts
53
OST
9
Music Video appearance
18
Collab/ Promotional songs
8
Awards and nominations
Won
35
Nominated
43
*Few private voting based recognitions are not mentioned here.
