Cover Story: Ally shares her upcoming film and music projects feat. Chanel
Thai singer and actress Achiraya Nitibhon, also known as Ally, candidly reveals to L’OFFICIEL how she felt when attending the recent Chanel S/S 2025 show at the Grand Palais as well as her upcoming film and music projects that we should watch out for.
L’OFFICIEL: Hi ALLY! You were just in Paris with Chanel for the house’s Spring/Summer 2025 show. What did you enjoy most about the trip?
ALLY: I was thrilled because prior to this show, I had joined a Chanel Cruise collection show in Bangkok when I was 13. This time, in Paris, it was such a great pleasure that I got to attend the show at the Grand Palais, to appreciate the fashion, collection and set. That is such an unforgettable experience. I truly loved every moment, and the trip was so inspiring. The day before the show, I went to their workshop and saw how they meticulously make accessories. I gazed closely at some of the gorgeous pieces. And of course, to dress myself in Chanel’s Cruise collection today, I’m so delighted. It was very fun and I feel like It’s very me — fun, vibrant, and yes, perfect for summertime.
LO: You recently released your infectious single, “OH MY!”, which you wrote and composed. Tell us more about the track. And how did you get Thai actor Fourth involved in the video?
AL: Prior to “OH MY!”, I wrote “Heartbeat”, which was so girly and very young, though perfect for my age at that time. Now, I’m 20 and more mature. So “OH MY!” was to show a new side of me to the world. Even the way it came, I didn’t plan too much, but I truly wanted to take part in the song — not just sing it. One day, the melody just came to me. I showed it to the team and asked them if it was possible, and they said, “Yeah! I think we can work on it.” So they contacted the producer and co-writer, who helped me make “OH MY!” come together as a whole. And for the music video, I wanted to act a little bit, make a mini movie and have another person star in it. At our team meeting, we talked about who would be great in the lead role — we mentioned Fourth and he was kind enough to join us. It was so fun and I feel like I’ve never seen Fourth in this type of role before, but I wanted to see him play this certain character and felt like he would do a great job, which he did.
LO: You also put out your first English digital single, “Make It Hot”, featuring Pink Sweat$, this year. Music wise, what can fans expect from you next?
AL: Going into this project was more than a dream come true, so much so that I still don’t believe it happened till this day. I used to and still listen to Pink Sweat$’s music. When I was a trainee, I would listen to his music whenever I felt sad or lonely. So being able to work with one of my idols and being around his positive energy, it was just so fun and surreal. It has been half a year or a year since we contacted Pink Sweat$. He then sent us demos, and we picked from the demos and worked online the whole time, because we’re in different time zones. Once we had our schedules aligned, we started the production — I recorded my part in Thailand and while he was on tour, I think, in Canada. They had to FaceTime me to listen to the record. A little hint for my next song: I’m working with someone who I really, really like as well. It’s based on something I experienced. So I want to share it with the world and see who relates to it. And I hope it’s a good track!
LO: This year, you were also on Netflix’s The Believers. What were the biggest challenges and the key things you learnt being a part of this series?
AL: The Believers was a huge project for me. When I got the offer to join, I was so stressed out. I didn’t know if I was capable of being a part of such a big team. The day the director came to my label and had a meeting with my CEO, my team and me, that’s when I knew that he trusts me. Even though I didn’t quite trust myself, I trusted the director and everybody else on the team so much. And I knew that they wouldn’t let me be bad, so in turn, I wouldn’t let myself be bad. Trust is one big lesson I learnt — to surround myself with people who trust in me is really important. Because working with people who don’t see your potential or are going to push you down, it’s only going to make you feel worse about yourself. When I joined The Believers team, they shared their experiences and tried to help me improve. That really worked. I gained knowledge about acting and got closer to them. Now, we’re a bunch of friends, and they’re like brothers to me. Not only did I get an important lesson on who I should be around, I got really good connections and new friendships from this.
LO: Are you keen to explore more acting opportunities that come your way? Is there a specific genre you’d like to dip your toes in?
AL: Yes, I really want to act more after The Believers. I want to be in a romantic comedy with someone who has good chemistry with me. It would feel like a bunch of friends just hanging out. And also I would get to portray another side of me that nobody has seen before.
LO: You released your first music single four years ago. Looking back, are there any career moments that you’re proudest of?
AL: Honestly, I don’t have a specific moment because every day, there’s something new that I’m so proud of. And there are new opportunities for me every day. Like today, shooting for L’OFFICIEL is something I never thought would happen, and yet it has happened. I feel like I have my “I made it” moment every single day. Of course, thanks to everyone for trusting me and giving me these opportunities that I’ll cherish forever. And also, thanks to my team, family and friends who support me. And I’m most thankful to myself for not giving up. Even though I don’t have a specific career moment that I’m proudest of, I’m just proud that I’m happy to wake up and go to work every day. I’m proud that I still enjoy what I do even after many years.
LO: With the popularity of Thai talents and productions around the world now, would you say it is more exciting or nerve wrecking to work on a track?
AL: It’s super exciting for me. I don’t feel nervous or pressured at all. I’m glad that T-pop and the Thai entertainment industry is now getting accepted globally because I know that Thai people have the talent to go worldwide. I’m glad to see actors and singers go abroad. And I feel like we’re just a big community that supports each other. There’s no competition in the Thai entertainment industry because we’re all friends. Everyone is a friend. So it’s like seeing your friends succeed and it’s a super nice community. I’m excited for the future of what’s to come for the Thai entertainment industry. And I hope that I can be a part of it as well. I hope that my music and acting can reach others on a global scale.
LO: It’s been a big year for you. How would you like to spend the last month of 2024?
AL: This year went by so fast, and I did so many things. For the last month, I just want to end the year with no regrets. Do things that I want to do without affecting other people negatively. I want to free myself from all the pressure that I’ve ever put on myself and the pressure of work. Hopefully, for the last month, I’ll just be chilling. Maybe I’ll go on vacation for a little bit. Even though I’m very shy online — when I see the number of people watching me online go up, it freaks me out — I want to do more livestreams and talk to my fans because I know that they probably want to talk to me too. Hopefully, I’ll just be spending my time wisely with the people I love.
LO: What’s your idea of the perfect day off?
AL: Being with the people I love and doing things I enjoy. It’s the little things that matter the most. A day with my mum and dog. Going out for a night drive with friends. Talking to my dad. And absolutely, listening to music.
LO: What aspirations do you have for the future, both professionally and personally?
AL: For my career, I definitely want to keep on working on both music and production with a global team. And especially because I’m studying online, majoring in Music Business at the Berklee College of Music, with a lot of classmates who live abroad, it makes me want to work with people from all over the world — to learn about the entertainment business in different markets and so much more from overseas countries. As for my personal life, I think I want to bake and cook, and maybe take more acting lessons during my free time. And I want to work out with friends more and play badminton — that’s been on my bucket list!
Our December 2024 "Next Level" issue featuring Achiraya Nitibhon will be available in selected major bookstores and newsstands in Malaysia and online on www.magzter.com.
Cover Credits:
Photography: Naruebes Vadvaree
Styling: Pitipong Pongdam
Makeup: Kwankhao Sumalee
Hair : Akkarachai Deedpin
Photography Assistants: Sanpasiri Chaosaowpa, Thanakit Meecharoen, Kachapon Panuditeekun, and Songsak Wadvaree
Additional Reporting: Sujittra Chanchaicharoengul
Words: Ian Lee