Davika Hoorne walks into the room with an air of nonchalance—barefaced, dressed in a T-shirt and jeans, effortlessly embodying the chill vibe she claims to embrace off-screen. Yet, the moment she steps in front of a camera, she transforms. With her statuesque frame and magnetic presence, she channels glamour, radiates sophistication, and commands every lens in her orbit. “Behind the camera, I’m just Mai,” she says with a laugh. “You’d probably be surprised to see me in my daily life—I’m in pyjamas most of the time!”
It’s this duality that makes Davika so fascinating. She navigates the worlds of film, fashion, and social media with ease, embodying the kind of modern-day versatility that defines her generation. Drenched in Bvlgari’s Tubogas collection, Davika glimmers, not just because of the jewellery but because she lives for moments like this. “I love wearing expensive things,” she admits unabashedly. “It’s not a duty—it’s something I truly enjoy.”
Related article: Davika Hoorne Is Our November 2024 Cover Star
Davika’s road to becoming one of Asia’s biggest stars is the stuff of dreams. But like all dreams, it came with its share of uncertainty, personal transformation, and relentless hustle. “I started when I was 12, just because I loved posing and watching movies,” she recalls, smiling at the memory. “I saw some of my neighbours going for casting calls and begged my mom to let me try, too.” She got the job on her very first attempt, a lucky break that kick-started a two-decade career spanning blockbuster films, television series, and high-profile fashion collaborations.
Related article: BABYMONSTER Is Our November 2024 Digital Cover Star
It was the 2013 horror-comedy Pee Mak that marked her breakout moment. “That film changed my life. It opened doors I never thought possible,” she reflects. Today, Pee Mak is one of Thailand’s highest-grossing films, and Davika’s performance not only catapulted her to stardom but also cemented her place in the country’s cinematic history. “It brought so many opportunities. I feel incredibly lucky.”
Now 32, Davika has grown from a girl struggling with self-identity into a woman who knows exactly who she is and what she wants. “In my twenties, I spent a lot of time figuring myself out,” she confesses. “I didn’t always know who I was or what I stood for, which is so normal when you’re young. But now? I know myself. I’m more confident, [but] I wouldn’t change anything I’ve been through—it’s all made me who I am today.”
Related article: 4MINUTES Actors Bible Wichapas Sumettikul And Jespipat Tilapornputt Are Thailand’s Next Global Stars
DRAMA, FASHION, AND FINDING HERSELF
Acting has always been Davika’s first love, but it wasn’t until later in her career that she discovered her sweet spot: Drama. “I’ve tried many genres except action—it’s just too exhausting,” she shares. “But I realised I love serious, intense roles. The kind of stories that make you forget where you are and fully immerse yourself in the character.” Comedy, she admits, is another beast entirely. “Comedy takes a special talent. You need perfect comic timing, which I don’t have.”
While she’s a powerhouse on-screen, Davika also enjoys fashion’s transformative power. She describes her personal style as contrasting: Casual and down-to-earth on regular days, but daring and glamorous when the occasion calls for it. “I never shy away from fashion,” she says. “I love trying new brands, experimenting with looks, and showing up on red carpets feeling sexy and empowered.” To her, clothes aren’t just a means of self-expression; they’re tools that shift her entire demeanour. “When I dress feminine, I stand taller and move differently. It’s like I become another version of myself.”
Her role as a muse for Bvlgari feels like a natural extension of her love for luxury and beauty. “It’s an honour to represent Thailand and be part of the Bvlgari family,” she says. “I’ve worked with them for years, so I know the brand well. It’s not just about wearing jewellery—it’s about the history, the craftsmanship, the stories behind the gems. Lucia [Silvestri, Bvlgari’s jewellery creative director] personally selects the stones, and the amount of detail that goes into each piece is incredible. I love being part of that world.”
THE REALITY BEHIND THE GLAMOUR
For someone whose life looks so polished from the outside, Davika is refreshingly candid about the challenges of her career. “There’s no such thing as work-life balance,” she says. “If you want to succeed, you have to give it your all. But when you love what you do, it doesn’t feel like work,” she adds with a smile. Even with her packed schedule, she finds joy in small pleasures—like working on massive jigsaw puzzles. “I do puzzles with thousands of pieces. It’s like meditation for me, a way to escape and focus entirely on something outside of work.”
Her six-year relationship with her boyfriend, Thai actor and screenwriter Chantavit Dhanasevi, also offers balance—though not in the conventional sense. “We don’t need to be together all the time,” she says. “I love the feeling of missing someone. It makes the time we do spend together even more special.” Playfully, she refers to him as “uncle”, a nod to his calm demeanour and love for temple visits. Marriage, however, isn’t on her immediate radar. “I want to achieve more before I think about settling down,” she explains. “My dream is to produce a film. Once I have my name on a project, then I can think about marriage.”
NEW PROJECTS AND BIG DREAMS
Davika hints at an upcoming project that she hopes will make waves in the film industry. “I can’t say much now, but it’s coming soon,” she teases. In the meantime, fans can catch her in The Empress of Ayodhaya, a newly launched Thai series based on the life of controversial queen consort, Sri Sudachan, whose political manoeuvres contributed to significant shifts in the Ayutthaya monarchy. “This role is special to me because it tells a story that’s never been told. Everyone thinks she was a villain, but we’re showing another side of her.”
As someone who straddles both Thai and Belgian heritage, Davika is acutely aware of how her mixed-race identity shapes perceptions in the industry. “On the positive side, I got my height and looks from my dad, which helped me in modelling,” she says. “But some people feel I don’t look Thai enough for certain roles.” Still, she remains unfazed. “It doesn’t bother me. I’m grateful for who I am.”
Looking to the future, she dreams of one day walking the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival—not just as a fashion icon but as an actress with a film in competition. “I manifest it every day,” she says, laughing. “People go to Cannes for fashion, but I want to be there standing in the actors’ podium for my movie. That’s my dream.”
GIVING BACK AND ADVOCATING FOR CHANGE
Davika’s vision for the industry is as ambitious as her personal goals. She hopes to see more opportunities for young directors and screenwriters in Thailand, believing that increased funding and fair salaries are key to nurturing new talent. “There are so many brilliant people behind the scenes who deserve recognition,” she says passionately. “We just need to support them.”
The empathetic actress also believes in the importance of giving back, such as her collaborations with different charity organisations. “I do things quietly—acts of kindness here and there. I believe in giving without needing to broadcast it.” Her down-to-earth nature and genuine appreciation for life’s blessings are evident throughout our conversation. “If I were to die today,” she says, “I’d feel fulfilled. I’ve been given so many opportunities, I’m surrounded by good people, and I have a career I love. What more could a girl ask for?”
As we wrap up, Davika reflects on her journey with gratitude. “I’ve come so far—more than I ever imagined. But I’ll never stop dreaming. When you achieve one dream, you set your sights on the next. That’s just who I am.”In the world of Davika Hoorne, there’s no such thing as standing still. Whether on-screen, on the runway, or in life, she’s always evolving—always chasing the next dream, the next story, the next role. And if her journey so far is any indication, her best is yet to come.
Stylist JEFFREY YAN
Make-up Artist CHINNAKRIT TANASONTERACH
Hairstylist NOPPASIT CHEERAKULLTANANAN
Producer SOPHANA ZONA TANMANATRAGUL
Production Assistant VORRAKAMON TECHASARATHUN
Photographer’s Assistants PASSAPON KHEMMANIPITPON; NATTAPONG AMKHAM; ARNON BOONROD; POOMIN WONGSING
Stylist’s Assistant RATCHAPHON CHAROENKUSOL
Special Thanks BLESSING SHOPHOUSE