Davika Hoorne
Davika Hoorne, known as Mai, is a Thai actress, model, singer and YouTuber. She made her acting debut in 2010, playing the lead in the series Ngao Kammathep. She rose to fame with the film Heart Attack. Her other notable works are Twenty, Pee Mak, My Ambulance and Astrophile. She has won multiple awards for her work, including Best Actress for two consecutive years at the Thai Film Directors Association Awards and Best Actress at the 25th Suphannahong National Film Awards for her performance in romantic comedy-drama film Heart Attack. In 2023, she has won Best Global Teleplay Leading Actress at the 36th Global Arts and Television Huading Awards.
Early life and education
Davika was born to a Belgian father and a Thai mother in Bangkok. Her mother gave her the nickname "Mai", after Mai Charoenpura, her favorite singer. Her parents divorced when she was 10 years old, and then was raised by her mother and aunt.In 2014, Davika bought a house, following her father's retirement, for him and his new family to live in Thailand.
Davika obtained her high school degree from Kevalee International School in Bangkok before graduating from Rangsit University's Faculty of Communication Arts.
Career
In 2010, Davika started as a model before making her acting debut in a female lead role in the television series Ngao Kammathep, and rose to fame with the films Heart Attack aka 'Freelance', is a movie made by top indie director Nawapol Thamrongrattanarit for GTH, which won eight Golden Swans at the Subannahongsa Award. In 2013, she consolidated her stardom with her role as “Mae Nak” in Pee Mak Phra Khanong, a highly successful movie that garnered more than 1 billion baht in revenue. Pee Mak was a box-office hit in many Asian and Australian cities.In 2016, Davika returned to the silver screen with the comedy movie Suddenly Twenty, a Thai adaptation of the megahit Korean flick Miss Granny.
In 2019, Davika started in My Ambulance showcased by One 31 and LINE TV, alongside Sunny Suwanmethanon, which gained worldwide success. She collaborated with the South Korean singer Ali in a music video entitled “No Way” under Genie Music and Vietnamese singer So’n Tùng M-TP in “Run Now”, for the shows soundtrack.
In 2022 under GMMTV, Davika starred as a lead "Nubdao", in the romantic series Astrophile alongside Vachirawit Chivaaree, which was successful in national and international market, and was trending at rank 1 in Thailand and rand 2 worldwide. She also starred as "Keetika" in You Are My Heartbeat.
In 2023, Davika starred as a lead in Love Hurts, alongside Suppasit Jongcheeveevat and Jes Jespipat under ONEHD.
Endorsements
Davika has participated in all of the Big Five global fashion weeks. In 2013, she walked in Tokyo Fashion Week. In 2017, Davika modelled for Michael Kors in New York Fashion Week 2017. She is a spokesperson for famous brand L'Oréal. On 30 September 2018, she walked the runway at the L'Oréal Paris Fashion Week. At Milan, Italy during "Milan Fashion Week" Spring/Summer collection, she has walked the runway for the Dolce & Gabbana "Ready to Wear". According to Vogue, she was Milan Fashion Week's Most Compelling Newcomer. In February 2024, she participated in Gucci's show during Milan Fashion Week.In 2017, Davika was chosen to be the new brand ambassador for Bolon Eyewear.
Davika starred in fashion brand Pomelo's special in-app video function, an engaging and interactive dimension, livestream shopping event. She is ambassador for 'Brand's Bird Nest' energy healthcare drink.
In 2021, Davika attended the Gucci FW21, as a celebrity friend. In 2022, she as a Brand Ambassador attended Gucci's "Cosmogonie Fashion Show" in Castle del Monte, Italy.
In September 2022, L'Officiel Malaysia celebrated its 7th anniversary with a "Shapeshifter" theme, were Davika starred on the cover in Gucci attire. In November 2022, at Bulgari's High Jewellery collection "Eden: The Garden Of Wonders" presentation in Bangkok, Davika was named the Italian jeweller's House Friend for the South Asia Pacific region.
In February 2023, Davika was a guest invitee in Marvel Studio movie launch events, Thailand. In May 2023, she did a fashion photoshoot for Calvin Klein Jeans in Seoul, Korea. Later, in October 2023, Davika was appointed as first Thai brand ambassador for Gucci and Gucci Beauty. Since January 2024, Gucci announced that Davika was selected as its Global Brand Ambassador.
Philanthropy
In December 2016, Davika joined UNICEF in support of the Basket of Hope fundraising campaign to help children affected by emergencies across the world.In October 2018, Davika joined WildAid as Thailand's ambassador for the "Ivory Free" campaign, as she has a deep affinity for elephants. She dissuaded consumers from buying, using or accepting ivory as a gift, and endorsed the message: "Ivory is beautiful only on elephants".