Thai Beauty Queen Engfa Waraha Faces Backlash for Red Carpet Appearance at Cannes 2025
Engfa Waraha, Miss Grand Thailand 2022 and first runner-up at Miss Grand International 2022, has made headlines after attending the Cannes Film Festival 2025 as an actress representing the Thai film LadyBee.
While her appearance at the prestigious event has been met with enthusiasm by her fans, it has also sparked a wave of online criticism over her fashion choices and public image.
Red Carpet Appearances at Cannes 2025
On May 14, Engfa walked the red carpet alongside Nawat Itsaragrisil, president of the Miss Grand International organization.
She made a second appearance on May 16 at the premiere of the film Eddington, showcasing a more reserved style than usual.
For the Eddington premiere, Engfa donned a strapless green gown with a simple silhouette, paired with a high ponytail and bold makeup. The look marked a notable shift from her usual dramatic fashion, which many believe was influenced by new Cannes dress code regulations. This year’s festival introduced stricter guidelines, discouraging see-through and revealing outfits to preserve the event’s formal atmosphere.
Online Reactions to Her Style
Despite complying with the guidelines, Engfa’s red carpet look was met with mixed public reactions.
Critics online described her appearance as “lacking glamour” and felt the dress did little to highlight her natural figure. Some also commented that her heavy makeup failed to soften what they called a “stiff” or “aged” appearance, fueling further debate about her transformation in recent years.
Her earlier look—a nude-toned, crystal-embellished gown worn with Mr. Nawat—faced similar scrutiny.
While fan-edited photos posted on social media were praised, unedited Getty Images revealed less flattering angles. Netizens pointed out her rigid facial expressions and an ill-fitting gown that emphasized her midsection, calling the styling underwhelming for such a global event.
From Pageant Queen to Actress and Entrepreneur
Engfa initially rose to fame as a singer, appearing on The Voice Thailand in 2018. She gained national recognition after winning Miss Grand Thailand 2022 and placing as first runner-up at Miss Grand International the same year.
Since then, she has made a successful transition into acting and business, heavily mentored by Nawat Itsaragrisil. Engfa now holds a prominent position as the National Director of Miss Grand Thailand, and is considered one of Mr. Nawat’s closest collaborators.
Her efforts have paid off Engfa is among the few Thai celebrities who have been included in entertainment wealth rankings, reportedly making appearances in Thailand’s stock exchange-linked celebrity wealth lists, largely due to her ongoing partnership with the Miss Grand brand.
