The New Face Of Asia

No. Being selected by Chanel was my dream come true. It was so exciting, because I never considered myself to be as beautiful as all of these top models who entered this huge competition. I guess my winning was a result of having the right look and a lot of luck. It's not easy for an Asian girl to win such a contest. But Chanel took a risk, and I think it's happy it did.

Was it difficult to live and work in the West?

My life has changed dramatically, but I'm enjoying it, even though my English is so poor. I don't have any problems on the job. I love the camera, the camera loves me and I kind of anticipate what the photographer wants. Some say I'm a natural, that I was born to be a model. Everyone in the West has been so accepting. One day in the London Underground I passed by four or five beggars. Suddenly this one guy jumps up and shouts, ""You are so beautiful.'' That's great. I feel I belong in London and New York. In fact, I feel I lived in the West in a former life.

Is it true that you are more popular in the West than in Asia because of Asian prejudices against darker-skinned people?

I think that's true. Asians almost avoid me. They prefer Eurasians and lighter-skinned Asian models. That's why I feel more comfortable, even more genuine working in the West. When I was growing up in the village I could sense this discrimination against dark-skinned people. Villagers used to come up to me and say that my brother was more attractive simply because he had lighter skin. ""Why aren't you white like your brother?'' they'd ask. It really gave me a complex. But now I've gone beyond that. I'm proud to be an Isarn girl [her home region]. Who needs a big nose and light skin? I'm happy with the way I am.

What about modeling agencies saying you should undergo cosmetic surgery if you want to become a supermodel?