Araya "Chompoo" Hargate is back from Cannes, France, to face the music over her choice of gowns for appearances on the red carpet. She was there as brand ambassador for l'Oreal Thailand, whose parent firm co-sponsors the film festival. There was some hooting and hollering about her outfits, but her fans were sympathetic, noting that she would have got more publicity back home if it hadn't been for that coup thing.
As to the nastier remarks, Chompoo says she heard about it, but, "Personally, I was very happy with both of the looks that l'Oreal prepared for me." A lot of work went into the selection, she says. "It's normal to get criticism, but I think it's best just to do your job well. And no one else can know what I do better than I do. It depends on how you look at it. You have to adapt to being part of a team. But I consider it all valuable experience."
This was her second annual appearance on the red carpet at Cannes and she's glad to be accumulating that experience. "I think the photographers are starting to remember me. Now I'm more confident in front of the cameras. Last year I learned all the tricks to get their attention."
Chompoo is proud that fashion commentators at Cannes voted the first gown she wore - a black Kaufmanfranco strapless number - one the six best dresses of Day 8. Just as flattering, the South Korean media dubbed her "the Thai version" of their beloved actress-model Kim Tae-hee. "I'm really happy to get such a compliment from the foreign media!