We asked Thai actresses and got real stars, fictional heroes and everything in between

You know that moment when someone asks who inspires you, and suddenly you’re defending why a fictional ruler counts as a legitimate role model? That’s exactly where this conversation went when Koktail asked five women of the Thai entertainment industry, and it’s more revealing than any personality test.

Becky’s been riding with Anne Hathaway since childhood

Not a character, but the actual woman. The actress who went from awkward princess to The Devil Wears Prada survivor to Oscar winner, all whilst being refreshingly, painfully human in public.

“I’ve been following her since I was a kid,” Becky says.

“I want to be like her, but my own version of her.”

Kimmy Kimberley went full fantasy with Rhysand

This one stems from A Court of Thorns and Roses, because sometimes your role model doesn’t need an actual human heartbeat to make an impact.

“I’m currently reading this fictional dark romance,” she explains and sure, he’s not real, but the qualities are: powerful, protective, complicated, fiercely loyal.

Ling Ling chose Shin-chan

Yes, she’s talking about the chaotic five-year-old from the anime. “He’s a good kid who loves his friends,” she says.

Shin-chan might be mischievous, inappropriate and totally unfiltered, but underneath all that cartoon chaos is a kid with a massive heart who always shows up for his people. It’s fun knowing Ling Ling secretly relates to the troublemaker side, because chaos is part of the charm. But what really pulls her in is that pure, uncomplicated loyalty and his talent for making everyone laugh even when things get a bit weird. Sometimes the best role model isn’t the serious one, but the one who proves that being good can also be silly, loud and very real.

Prim Chanikarn pointed straight at Merida

Disney’s Brave‘s Merida. “She’s brave and is an outstanding princess,” Prim says, and you can hear the admiration.

Merida doesn’t wait for permission. She rides through forests, rewrites centuries of tradition with a bow and arrow. For Prim, this animated Scottish royal represents something real: the courage to be loud, messy and unapologetically yourself, crown or no crown.

Baipor loves Miranda Priestly

The actual character from The Devil Wears Prada, played by Meryl Streep.

“An empowering woman,” Baipor declares.

Miranda’s sharp edges, impossibly high standards, the refusal to apologise for taking up space. Miranda’s complicated, sure, but she’s also a woman who knows exactly what she wants and makes no apologies for going after it. Baipor’s not here to be everyone’s favourite. She’s here to get things done.