Kim’s Mirror fully reveals Miss Universe Thailand, the woman who sparked the Real Size Beauty movement. “Anchilee Scott-Kemmis” She shares her life after the pageant stage, facing pressure that required therapy. She reveals her experience being pressured by Thai societal beauty standards, which led her to lose her way with unhealthy weight loss methods before gradually rebalancing and taking care of her mental health. She defines Beauty Longevity in her own way—not as following trends, but as consistency and self-acceptance.
How are you preparing for the HYROX competition?
Anchilee: I train very hard every day, though I take two rest days. The training focuses on performance—knowing what I need to do—and making sure the exercises improve my movement. I want to challenge myself and prove that I can do difficult things. The first time, I didn’t train beforehand; I just did it. It took two hours, which is long, but I finished and felt great about it. Then I tried again to see if I could be faster. I wasn’t much faster, but I started seeing results. So I looked at how to continue. When HYROX training came to Bangkok, I tried it and felt it made me better. The consistency, discipline, and confidence are the starting points to wanting to improve.
Were you an athlete before?
Anchilee: Yes. I grew up playing volleyball since I was 12. I stopped when I returned to Thailand. I played for over 10 years, even through COVID. My dream was to play volleyball. I actually got a scholarship to play in the United States, but my father sent me to Australia instead. My foundation is in sports, which explains why I’m training for HYROX now—it reminds me of the time when I wanted to prove I could do difficult things.
How is training different from competing?
Anchilee: Training has to be harder, so that when I compete, I can handle it. I focus on performance, not on sculpting specific body parts. For example, in HYROX or box jumps, I focus on jumping higher, or thrusters that strengthen my arms and body. The focus is on functional movement.
You did something before it became a trend—running?
Anchilee: Running is beneficial for everyone from my experience, whether you play sports or just want to stay healthy. I’ve understood for a long time that it’s important. So when I see it become trendy, I’m happy—people are really taking care of themselves more. Even if it’s a trend and people do it to look good, ultimately it benefits them greatly. I’m happy to see this.
Was becoming a beauty queen a childhood dream?
Anchilee: The dream came from my grandmother since I was young. She used to take me around villages in Chachoengsao district and say, “When you grow up, you’ll be a beauty queen.” I’m mixed-race, so people told me to enter contests or become an actress or model. That idea was planted early. But my body shape was never ideal because I have a big build and Western frame, which made it harder for me. I understand many women with Western frames, so I tried sports.
Then playing sports turned your build into an advantage, and your height helped too. So you focused on that path?
Anchilee: Yes, I focused on sports until I studied in Australia, where nobody cared about my body shape. It felt freeing—not being judged. Then I returned to Thailand during COVID and faced criticism again: “You’re beautiful but a bit chubby.” I wondered why I had to face that again and thought of my grandmother. So I tried entering Miss Universe Thailand to see what would happen. If I entered, it was for a purpose: I didn’t want girls or anyone watching TV to never see themselves represented. There are very few role models. So I said, if I’m going, it’s for my campaign, Real Size Beauty, which I created to be a voice for this issue. The pageant is a platform for that, plus it was my grandmother’s dream for me, so I tried.
Are beauty standards in Thailand different?
Anchilee: I understand because Thai people naturally have smaller frames. We have to adjust and understand that it’s not the norm. Every woman just wants acceptance.
Did you have to take better care of yourself when you decided to compete?
Anchilee: Yes, but I took care of myself the wrong way. I knew I was bigger, but I felt I had to be a size that people would accept, so I had to lose weight. That led to unhealthy habits—exercising as punishment for eating too much or not eating at all. As I grew older, I realized that’s not right and shouldn’t be like that.
Especially for women, if you’re too small or lack fat in certain areas, it really affects your body. Preparing requires exercise and understanding this because everyone’s different and stores fat differently. When we watch TV and see someone beautiful without certain features we have, we wonder why we don’t look the same. We have to relearn and break many old habits.
How did your life change after the pageant?
Anchilee: It changed. It made me stronger, though sometimes a bit strange. It made me mature. When you enter the public eye and face things you’ve never faced before, you have no choice but to grow. You must develop yourself and become better. When there’s no other option, you have to do it.
Which version of yourself do you like best?
Anchilee: Now, at 27, I’m mature enough to understand myself better—what I like and dislike. I’ve been through a lot for someone my age. It’s invaluable. I have the maturity of someone a bit older. Now I know who I am. With the fitness and health trends, everyone takes better care of themselves, including mental health. I’m very proud of who I am today and the journey I’ve been through.
Is there anything you’ve felt unable to say no to?
Anchilee: I’ve always had the problem of being overly empathetic, which hurts me. For example, when someone tells me about their struggles, I feel those emotions deeply. I’m still working on this because recently someone I love had mental health issues, and I got pulled into that space. I’m not good at setting boundaries yet.
Should we follow trends or be ourselves?
Anchilee: I choose individuality. Trends are fun, and sometimes we want to try them. I understand that. But from all I’ve experienced, I feel that if you find what works for you and suits you, hold on to that. Consistency beats everything. There are no shortcuts in this world when it comes to sustainability. That’s my view.
When did your skin feel the worst?
Anchilee: During the pageant, as I mentioned, I had little sleep and no routine. The makeup was heavy—eyes fully blocked, lips fully done, nose fully contoured—everything was intense. I couldn’t choose what to eat, so my skin suffered because my body wasn’t rested or balanced. Skin reflects everything; everything affects it.
How did you take care of yourself then?
Anchilee: I prioritized my mental health first, then my body, and I went through therapy. I’ve had therapy three times. You have to learn to love yourself when everything is falling apart. When your skin is bad, your confidence disappears. You have to reach a point where you say, 'I can’t take this anymore; I have to love myself.' Therapy really helps. Being surrounded by an understanding family helps a lot. Healing happens gradually, step by step, every day. It really helps.
Do you have any tips to share about exercise, eating, and sleeping?
Anchilee: Get eight hours of sleep. For those who like protein supplements, go ahead; they’re good. But nothing beats sleep because the body repairs itself while you sleep. Luckily, I’ve liked healthy food since childhood—my mother instilled that. When you start eating better, it shows. For example, my hands are yellow—proof of what I eat! (laughs)
Any skincare tips or secrets?
Anchilee: Find products that truly suit you. I’m a bit picky about what I put on my skin because I’ve been through bad skin days and don’t want that again. I choose products supported by scientific research, checking ingredients and credibility. Everyone is different, so you have to focus a bit on wrinkles too.
You rarely wear makeup and mostly appear bare-faced. Do fans say anything?
Anchilee: Not much, because it’s what I do regularly, so they’re used to it. When you’re confident in your skin—healthy, moisturized—it’s enough. I want them to see that too. Especially young girls, I want them to see the real world: nobody is perfect. Even with wrinkles, you’re still beautiful in your own way. It’s okay to want to fix that—go for it—but I think it’s important to set an example, especially if you have many followers. When kids watch you, you want them to see more than just appearances. That’s why I share videos showing my skin imperfections—because it affects the kids watching.
What does Beauty Longevity mean to you?
Anchilee: It means consistent, sustainable self-care of the exterior that lasts with us. It’s not about following trends. Find what truly works for you and stick with it because consistency is key.
Any message for young people or those in this age group?
Anchilee: Your identity and what you give are more than just looks or body shape. I know it’s hard, but to avoid getting trapped by beauty standards, know that your true uniqueness is the most beautiful thing inside you. Learn to trust yourself and your feelings because time will tell you something. Take care of your health and be confident in who you are, no matter your shape. Health is something you must care for. Don’t listen to criticism.
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