Nychaa Nuttanicha Dungwattanawanich On Moving Forward As An Independent Actress, Her Upcoming Film, And Her Punk Phase
Nychaa reveals how she feels about ending her contract with Thailand’s national broadcaster, and tells us about her upcoming film as she forges ahead, alone.
By Parisa Pichitmarn - published
As any 20-something going through a quarter–life crisis knows, the late twenties is often a time of tumultuous changes and this rings true for Thai actress and model Nuttanicha “Nychaa” Dungwattanawanich. Born in Thailand’s northern capital Chiang Mai, the celebrity has been acting since she was 17. From her cameo role in Tong Neu Gao—an iconic series about an alcoholic woman and her downfall—Nychaa is now a lead on many Channel 3 prime-time dramas. But what hogged headlines in March was her decision to end her contract with Thailand’s national broadcaster. Her drama My Secret Zone, which aired in July, is her last with the channel.
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Coat; top; skirt; bangles, SAINT LAURENT BY ANTHONY VACCARELLO.
Nychaa reveals that she had spent six months weighing the pros and cons of her decision. She says. “I have been working since I was 17 at the same place and I felt like I’ve never gotten to change or make any decisions truly by myself. Moving forward, I have no idea what my life will be like and you don’t see what your destination is at all, so I took a really long time to figure it out.”
Skirt; earring; belt; bangles; stocking; heels; blazer (on the sofa), SAINT LAURENT BY ANTHONY VACCARELLO.
But now, Nychaa is relishing the idea of becoming an independent actress and exploring different characters. For now she is unable to reveal too much, as she is preparing for a new series and shooting her first movie, both of which will air next year. “I’d really like to get an action role someday because I have no idea how I’d turn out in it,” Nychaa muses. “The movie I’m shooting is an action horror, but the part I have does not involve action. Acting-wise, the work is the same but shooting a movie is still something very new for me. I started out with television dramas so I’m still considered a newbie in the movie circuit. These roles I’m working on are completely different and I’m so excited for everyone to see them soon.”
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Jacket; dress; earring, SAINT LAURENT BY ANTHONY VACCARELLO.
Careful with her words, Nychaa says that acting is an artform that never dies, and if she weren’t an actress, she would want “to live with art or be an art teacher teaching drawing. I love that peaceful time you have alone, but I see acting as an art too, just that it’s a group art and not made by one sole artist.”
But what really gets her giddy is her work in fashion. “I got to see Saint Laurent’s show in Paris and I had to keep calm and watch the show quietly. But inside, I was screaming ‘Aaaaaah!’ and totally fangirling. I love everything about their shows—the music, the mood, the tone.”
Top; earrings, SAINT LAURENT BY ANTHONY VACCARELLO.
Although her personal style leans towards men’s clothing and androgynous silhouettes, she loves how Saint Laurent’s clothes “go all the way”. “It’s so full on. If it’s a minidress, it’s just all out sexy and you don’t need to care. And I love all of their heels. I don’t wear heels in my everyday life, but I’ve started to wear my Saint Laurent heels more often.”
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Top; skirt; belt; earring; bangles; stockings, SAINT LAURENT BY ANTHONY VACCARELLO.
Nychaa explodes into laughter at how she even had a punk phase when she was much younger, donning leather jackets with studs all in a row. “My style evolves according to my interests, and I’m veering towards more feminine, body-shaping dresses these days. The punk, rock and leather is still in me, but I’m feeling kinda cute today with my hair clips,” she jokes, while pointing to the Sanrio characters on her hair. “I think this era I’m in now is something I’m really satisfied with—getting to work on extremely new roles, and with my personal life and my family. I’m happy to be me now.” While she’s busy slaying, don’t be surprised if you happen to see her in a new girly look, gleefully strutting about in her slingback pumps.
Editor-in-Chief: Kenneth Goh
Photographer: Naruebes Vadvaree
Stylist: Windy Aulia
Fashion: Saint Laurent
Producer: Tharida Diloksongtham
Makeup: Hirun boonkarwanit
Hair: Harit Punyaaiy
Retoucher: Nutcha Pajareya
Photographer’s Assistants: Jeerasak Kaysee, Nattapong Amkham, and Arnon Boonrod
Stylist’s Assistants: Patipan Limsuwash and Phi Ritwiwat