No child's play

No child's play

On Children's Day, Muse visits two former teen stars who take us behind the scenes of the entertainment world

SOCIAL & LIFESTYLE
No child's play
Chaiyapol Julien Poupart.

Often the first step to stardom begins at a young age. At least, that was the case with Chaiyapol Julien Poupart and Kanya Leenutapong. While the rest of us were busy dealing with school and homework, or settling into university life, they embarked on a star-studded path -- a parallel world of fame and money, of the glaring spotlight and myth and illusion that is showbiz.

However, where the two stars are now in life is quite the antithesis of what you might expect of typical Thai teen soap stars. Our doll-faced account executive and buff actor are in very different places today, but their stories show how they both play by their own rules despite the industry's high pressure.

Chaiyapol and Kanya debuted on TV screens around the same time for Exact studios in 2008, and both started their first year at Chulalongkorn University. However, while Chaiyapol is still going strong in showbiz, having done a number of series and feature films, Kanya has long given up the career, but not because she wasn't good at it.

Like many other actors, they initially tried TV commercials, magazine shoots and music videos. Chaiyapol, 26, was approached by modelling agencies when he was 15 and spent about a year auditioning to be an actor before he scored a role.

"At that time, I didn't imagine becoming an actor at all. I just liked the idea of earning money myself," said Chaiyapol. "After the first commercial, it all became very concrete -- proof that I could actually do it. It didn't affect school much then because I always set aside auditioning and filming for the weekends."

For 27-year-old Kanya, opportunities flooded in. At the beginning it was fashion shoots with teen magazines, before the lead role in the music video of Sukrit "Bie" Wisetkaew's smash hit Toh Ma Wa Rak made her a teen sweetheart. Her first TV series Trab Sin Din Fah in 2008 was followed by her first role as the lead actress in Ngao Asok, the same year.

"Everything was rushing in and I couldn't adapt myself," said Kanya. "I didn't realise that being in the industry, you have to set yourself up as a certain type of person, someone who belongs to the public and has this responsibility normal people don't."

Even today, a lot of people still firmly believe that actors, especially the lead actors or pra-ek and nang-ek, must also be saintly and perfect in real life. That was something Kanya didn't realise and she wasn't keen on playing the role of a nang-ek even when off-screen. Or the fact that she was expected to keep herself thin to meet an unwritten standard.

Conversely, Chaiyapol soon realised that his biggest dream was to star in feature films and doing TV series was among the first steps leading up to that. His first struggle was dividing his time between studies and filming.

Kanya Leenutapong.

"I had to cram all the classes together into a few days so that I could shoot for the rest of the week," said Chaiyapol. "I had to adapt myself a lot and barely had time to sleep."

His dedication extends to carrying around a bland, boiled chicken breast lunch box to house parties when all his friends are chugging beer. Which was not problematic for Chaiyapol as he hardly socialises and prefers to keep to himself, focusing on his career.

"I don't think it has anything to do with being in showbiz," said Chaiyapol. "This obsession with fame and money can happen to anybody regardless of their careers and how much money they have. I just happen to be someone who doesn't like mingling with people, drinking and clubbing and all that."

It's clear that fame is not something this man of few words is after -- despite the fast track it would spring him onto, in a celebrity-crazy landscape.

Chaiyapol's idea of success in acting is not about making the headlines. His idea of success is simply in the acting, with the first setback simply being what type of an actor he wanted to be. After the first few TV series like Kaew Lom Petch (2008) and Sakul Ka (2009), roles were rare and for a year he was just a normal university student.

"I was feeling low, of course, but it was good to be able to enjoy the full freedom of a university life like others," said Chaiyapol. "At the same time, I didn't just stop. I was constantly going to acting class with ML Pundhevanop Dhewakul and also worked behind the scenes in Pundhevanop's films before the chance to act in Jan Dara and Plae Kao [The Old Scar] came along."

Chayapol is now with Channel 3 and will be seen in Rak Nakara with Natapohn "Taew" Tameeruks and Nittha "Mew" Jirayungyurn, and Sanae Nang-ngew with Nuttanicha "Nicha" Dungwattanawanich and Teeradetch "Alek" Metawarayut.

Chaiyapol Julien Poupart.

As for Kanya, despite the fact that Ngao Asok was an instant hit, it turned out to be her last work. Online gossip has labelled her a one-hit wonder. However, the truth is Kanya wanted to be herself, rather than what others wished her to be.

Kanya is a nang-ek in her own class -- funny and confident, and always sweet in her own outgoing way. Her version of a nang-ek is someone who goes for the real, not pretentiousness. She laughs a dry laugh at just how "dark" the entertainment circuit can be. Being an open-minded person, when off-screen and among close friends, Kanya said she would rather scream and swear, than be shy and coy. It wasn't long before there was a leaked photo of her and her boyfriend kissing which made tabloid headlines.

"But we barely touched, it was just a peck on the cheek. It was his birthday, the photo was put on Facebook before going viral," recounted Kanya. "I was called in and told I should be more careful with my image as I was just starting out."

Soon after, she began to turn down jobs and gradually faded from the industry to pursue other interests. Kanya now happily works in advertising and public relations and is looking forward to setting up a business.

"The character I played at that time was weak and cried all the time. I had no idea how to maintain that image, so I decided to quit," said Kanya. "I was also often told I was too fat but so what? I love to eat. I knew then I would never tolerate the lifestyle. I wasn't going to give up who I really was just to be in the industry."

Chaiyapol Julien Poupart in Plae Kao (2014). Sahamongkol Film International

Kanya's fashion shoots for teen magazines from the past.

Kanya in Exact's Ngao Asok (2008).

Chaiyapol in Exact's Kaew Lom Petch (2008).

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