Key Information
- Name: Cindy Sirinya Bishop
- Nickname: Cindy
- Nationality: Thai
- Birth date: December 30, 1978
- Height: 178 cm
- Known for: Actress, artist, and advocate
- Instagram: @cindysirinya
At the upcoming Bangkok Post Women Vision 2025 event, HER STORY OUR STORY, Cindy Sirinya Bishop will take the stage as a guest speaker, celebrating women's contributions to leadership across industries. From winning Miss Thailand World 1996 to serving as a Regional Goodwill Ambassador for UN Women and starring in Netflix’s 2024 mystery drama Don’t Come Home, the Thai supermodel exemplifies how women can embrace diverse roles and redefine societal norms.
For nearly three decades, Cindy’s journey as an entertainment luminary and social advocate has been marked by challenges, adaptation, and transformation. Born outside conventional beauty standards, she evolved with shifting ideals and ultimately redefined them on her own terms.
Defying the Standard
Born on 30 December 1978, Cindy Sirinya Bishop is of American, English, Indian, and Thai descent. Despite being born and raised in Thailand, her multinational appearance and towering height set her apart, often making her a target of mockery among her peers. Outside school, she was frequently stared at and ridiculed, labelled as a farang—a Thai term for white foreigners.
Struggling with self-confidence, Cindy yearned to prove her worth and demonstrate her full potential. Raised by a father who owned a diving company, she was taught to dive at an early age. This led to her first modelling opportunity at age 13, appearing in a commercial filmed underwater. While attending Ruamrudee International School, she eagerly took on as many modelling jobs as possible, laying the foundation for her future career.
Shifting the Standard
During the 1990s, Thailand witnessed a shift towards modernity, sparking greater demand for half-Thai models and actors.
At 17, Cindy faced her first major stage presentation, but despite memorising her script, she froze on stage, stood in silence for a minute, and fled backstage—convinced she would never speak publicly again. Yet, with time, resilience, and new opportunities, she challenged herself to improve. “It took a lot more time, a lot more fumbles,” she recalled, reflecting on her long journey to mastering public speaking.
That same year, Cindy defied her deep-seated self-doubt—both about her appearance and her abilities—by competing in Miss Thailand World 1996. She won the title, making history as the first Miss Thailand with blue eyes.
Her victory propelled her to the forefront of the modelling industry, leading to partnerships with luxury brands such as Chanel and Gucci. She later transitioned into acting, securing roles in television dramas such as Gossip Girl Thailand (2015) and F4 Thailand: Boys Over Flowers (2021). She also hosted multiple seasons of Asia’s Next Top Model, proving how far she had come in conquering her public speaking fears.
Redefining the Standard
Despite her success, Cindy admitted that reading scripts never felt truly authentic. Her real voice emerged when she launched #Don’tTellMeHowToDress, a campaign challenging gender bias and victim-blaming in Thai society.
In 2018, she came across an article advising women to avoid wearing tank tops during Songkran to prevent sexual assault. As an assault survivor, Cindy was outraged. She took to social media, sharing her personal experience and calling out victim-blaming attitudes. Her video went viral, resonating with victims worldwide.
In collaboration with UN Women and the Women and Men Progressive Movement Foundation, Cindy launched an exhibition showcasing clothing worn by assault survivors to challenge the notion that a victim’s attire invites violence.
Recognising the importance of early education, she also wrote a children’s book, My Body My Rules, which promotes body autonomy and consent. In 2020, she was appointed UN Regional Goodwill Ambassador for the Asia-Pacific, continuing her fight to end violence against women.
From challenging beauty norms to redefining social standards, Cindy Sirinya Bishop’s journey highlights the power of resilience, self-belief, and advocacy in shaping one’s own path.