Issue 17

The Former Miss Universe 2005 is now a brand ambassador for Thai cosmetics brand BSC. She discusses what it’s like to work in Bangkok and her plans for 2015.

What make you decide to relocate to Thailand?
What brought me to Thailand originally was the Miss Universe pageant back in 2005. After spending a month here for the pageant festivities, I instantly fell in love with the country, people and culture. During my year as Miss Universe living in New York City, I came back to Thailand five times for work (being a brand ambassador for several companies), and finally decided to move here in 2006 as I was offered a contract with the Singha corporation.

What are the benefits of working here?
I love living in Thailand mainly because of the climate. I love hot weather and not having to dress up for winter. It’s summer all year round and I love living my life like that. I also have a lot of work here, being a model, presenter, TV show host, charity spokesperson/ambassador, writer, businesswoman and now DJ.

How is your Thai coming along?
I’ve been learning Thai since I moved here in 2006, taking classes on and off for the last nine years. I’ve learned to read and write fully, and have got the tones down. I know enough to live and work here, but am not fluent enough to have business meetings or give full TV interviews. 

What does the role of brand beauty ambassador for BSC cosmetics entail?
My role with BSC Cosmetology and BSC International is as the brand ambassador or spokesperson. I shoot a new campaign for the brands once a year and make appearances for them in public and at media events. BSC has grown so much over the nine years I’ve worked with them and has become a highly recognised brand here in Thailand and internationally as well. I love the makeup and skin care products, which I feel are at the level of big international brands.

What other products are you working with?
I currently have a line of perfume and body cream under my name, called Beauty Icon, that is sold in Thailand and Indonesia. The customers are young to middle aged women who are independent and adventurous.

Can you explain why you became involved with your HHB Life blog?
I have always been passionate about healthy living and helping people who are struggling with weight and weight-related illnesses. I wanted to share all my knowledge and passion with people and found a great way to do that with my blog HHB (Healthy Happy Beautiful) Life. After studying nutrition at Washington State University a few years ago, I became even more interested in sharing that knowledge about using food as a prevention or cure for illnesses.

What’s your personal motto for having a healthy life?
If you want to have a beautiful life, you must be happy. And if you want to be happy, you must first be healthy. That’s where the name Healthy Happy Beautiful Life comes from.

What are your plans for HHB Life in 2015?
I would like to make HHB Life a portal for wellness and spirituality, where I will have guest writers and post contributors who generate amazing content for everything related to health, diets, exercise and mindfullness.