Cover From screen roles to runway shows, Lingling Kwong is building a presence that spans entertainment and luxury fashion (Photo: Lingling Kwong/Instagram)
From screen roles to runway shows, Lingling Kwong is building a presence that spans entertainment and luxury fashion (Photo: Lingling Kwong/Instagram)
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Lingling Kwong’s journey from pageants to acting and fashion makes her one of Asia’s most visible young talents
Lingling Kwong has gone from rising Thai actress and fashion figure to one of Asia’s most closely watched young stars, and in 2026, she added a major global beauty title to her growing list of achievements. Recently, the Hong Kong-born actress was voted “Most Beautiful Woman Alive 2026” by Netizens Choice Magazine.
Born in Hong Kong to a Chinese father and Thai mother, Lingling moved to Thailand at 17, where she completed her education and began her entertainment career after entering beauty pageants. Her breakthrough came with the 2024 girls’ love drama The Secret of Us, which turned her into a major name in Thai television and expanded her following well beyond the country. She speaks Thai, Cantonese, Mandarin and English, helping her connect with audiences across Asia.
Her profile extends well beyond acting. Lingling has established herself as a fashion presence, appearing at major international events including Paris Fashion Week and working with luxury and lifestyle brands. With her latest global recognition adding another dimension to an already fast-rising career, Lingling is increasingly positioned at the intersection of Thai entertainment, Asian pop culture and international fashion.
Read more: From heritage brands to Gen Z favourites: 15 Thai beauty brands to know in 2026
Lingling Kwong grew up between Hong Kong and Thailand
Lingling Kwong was born in 1995 in British Hong Kong and moved to Thailand as a teenager. Growing up with exposure to Chinese and Thai cultures, she developed linguistic skills in Thai, Cantonese, Mandarin and English. Her education includes a degree in tourism management from Khon Kaen University, which she completed before fully committing to her career in entertainment. This diverse background informs both her professional versatility and her presence in multiple Asian markets.
She started out in beauty pageants
Prior to acting, Lingling Kwong competed in Thai beauty pageants. She won Miss Khao Suan Kwang in 2018 and earned the Miss Photogenic title at Miss Khon Kaen. These early competitions helped her gain media exposure and experience in public appearances, establishing a foundation for her later work in modelling and brand representation. Her pageant experience contributes to her comfort in front of cameras and on stage, shaping her approach to both acting and fashion engagements.
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She gained regional recognition through acting
Lingling Kwong began acting in supporting television roles, gradually earning larger parts. Her portrayal of Dr Fahlada in the 2024 drama The Secret of Us brought her regional recognition, particularly in the GL (girls’ love) genre, which has attracted a broad online following. She also stars in Only You (2025), an action-romance series on Netflix co-starring Orm Kornnaphat, further solidifying her screen profile. Lingling Kwong’s performances have been noted for their consistency, drawing attention from both audiences and industry professionals.
Lingling Kwong founded the lifestyle brand Always Wonder
In 2024, Lingling Kwong launched her own lifestyle and fashion label, Always Wonder. The brand focuses on contemporary apparel and accessories and represents her move into creative entrepreneurship. Through the label, Lingling Kwong engages her audience directly, bridging her public profile with commercial ventures. The business demonstrates her interest in design and brand building, extending her reach beyond entertainment into fashion strategy and retail.
Lingling Kwong has a visible presence in luxury fashion
Lingling Kwong is a consistent presence at major fashion events, including Paris Fashion Week, where she has attended shows for multiple luxury houses. Her style choices are documented across fashion media, from street style photography to magazine spreads. Lingling Kwong balances contemporary trends with classic silhouettes, creating a look that resonates in both regional and international contexts. Her fashion visibility complements her acting career, creating a multi-platform profile.
She is a global face of Dior
In late 2025, Lingling Kwong became a global ambassador for Dior. She has participated in campaigns, attended runway shows and collaborated on events, reflecting a formalised relationship with the luxury house. Dior’s appointment of Lingling Kwong underscores her positioning in the fashion industry and her influence as a figure capable of representing high-profile luxury campaigns in Asia and globally.
Lingling Kwong fronts Calvin Klein’s latest Asia Pacific campaign
In early 2026, Lingling Kwong was announced as the face of Calvin Klein’s Asia Pacific Spring campaign. Her participation includes advertising imagery and video content for both ready-to-wear and underwear lines, reinforcing her crossover appeal between fashion markets and entertainment. This collaboration highlights her versatility and aligns with her established profile as a contemporary style figure.
Lingling Kwong was voted "Most Beautiful Woman Alive" in 2026
Thai actress Sirilak “Lingling” Kwong achieved a landmark “double crown” in The Netizens Choice Magazine’s 2026 rankings by securing both the global “Most Beautiful Woman Alive 2026” title and the national “Most Beautiful Thai Actresses 2026” title. Driven by her standout roles in series like The Secret of Us (2024) and Only You (2025), Kwong garnered massive international support, receiving over 22 million votes for the global award—succeeding 2025 winner Sıla Türkoğlu—and over 10 million votes to become the inaugural winner of the newly introduced Thai category.
Chonx Tibajia is a senior editor at Tatler Asia’s T-Labs team, where she writes widely on lifestyle subjects including beauty, style, entertainment and travel. She has a long career in journalism, including roles as a columnist at The Philippine Star, and is the founder of the creative platform Pineappleversed. Beyond Tatler, her bylines appear in regional lifestyle and business publications, showcasing a broad portfolio that spans beauty trends, travel guides and culture pieces.
