- Key Information
- Name: Urassaya Sperbund
- Nickname: Yaya
- Born: Chon Buri, Thailand
- Birth date: 18 March 1993
- Height: 1.7 m
- Instagram: @urassayas
Since her breakthrough in 2010, Yaya Urassaya has remained one of the most recognised names in the Thai entertainment industry. Although she has already proven herself time and again, Urassaya Sperbund continues to captivate her fans with her timeless talent and ceaseless self-reinvention, whether as a mentor in CHUANG ASIA SEASON 2 (2025) or in her latest collaboration with Netflix in the highly anticipated mystery thriller series, Dalah Death and the Flowers (2025).
Yaya was born on 18 March 1993 in Pattaya City, Chon Buri. At fourteen, the Thai-Norwegian actress stepped into the entertainment industry as a model for commercials and music videos. Her first acting role was in a drama called Baan Khan Ma Yom (2008), but the show was pulled before it was released.
Yaya on the Small Screen
Later, Yaya landed her first leading role in Kularb Rai Nam (2010). She was praised for her memorable performance alongside the well-known Ploy Chermarn, which helped her build a fanbase and laid the foundation for her future success.
In a 2024 interview with Louis Vuitton, Yaya revealed her approach to acting. She mentioned, “When I take on a character, I’m responsible for this person’s life. And so when she portrays something, it has to be real. Otherwise, I’m not being honest to the person that I promise to take care of.”
Her devotion to her craft was evident early in her career. Starring alongside her reel-to-real love, Nadech Kugimiya, Yaya became known nationwide in the romance drama Duang Jai Akkanee (2010). She won several awards, including Female Rising Star from Seesan Bunterng Awards, Female Rising Star – Television from Top Awards, and Most Popular Female Rising Star from TV3 Fanclub Awards.
The following year, her versatility shone through when she headlined the action drama Tawan Deard (2011), which also featured her first Original Soundtrack, the first of many songs she would later sing.
Yaya on the Silver Screen
One of Yaya’s strengths that keeps her relevant after seventeen years in the industry is her willingness to push boundaries. In her interview with The Standard, Yaya shared, “I think we are reborn into ourselves again when life changes its pace… I want to be reborn time and again in my life.”
After starring in nearly twenty television dramas, Yaya made the leap from the small screen to the silver screen in her film debut, Brother of The Year (2018). This film and her later work in Fast & Feel Love (2022) earned her the “Best Actress” award from the Suphannahong National Film Awards, the most prestigious association awards in the Thai film industry.
She also voiced the protagonist in the Thai version of Raya and the Last Dragon (2021), an action-adventure animated film from the world-famous Walt Disney Studios, further solidifying her talent on an international scale.
Yaya on Lifelong Learning
Yaya not only excels in her career but also dedicates herself heavily to learning. When she began acting, Yaya could barely speak Thai, as English was her first language. She would recite from recordings of her own voice to improve. Growing up, she could speak up to five languages, including English, Thai, Norwegian, Spanish, and French.
When asked by The Standard what she would be if not an actor, Yaya said that her biggest dream is to be an archaeologist because of her passion for history. Despite not being able to pursue that career, Yaya earned a bachelor's degree in Language and Culture from Chulalongkorn University. Although she has already graduated and is a full-time actor and celebrity, she still dedicates her time to reading—up to sixty books in ten months.
Yaya’s Global Reach
As of now, Yaya’s fame extends beyond Thailand. She became a House Ambassador and modelled in global campaigns for Louis Vuitton. She also served as a mentor on the Chinese-Thai reality survival show Chuang Asia Season 2. Additionally, she made her Hollywood debut starring in an upcoming action-horror film adapted from a video game, Home Sweet Home Rebirth. Her latest whodunit thriller, Dalah Death and the Flowers (2025), will premiere on Netflix worldwide in February 2025.
With her unwavering pursuit of growth and nearly two decades of accumulated experience, Yaya Urassaya continues to inspire and redefine success, ceaselessly pushing beyond the boundaries of her talent.