Asia’s Brightest Stars: The Women Who Served Couture and Culture at Cannes 2025

From couture gowns to culture-defining moments, these Asian stars stole the spotlight—and made sure the world was watching.

By Moira Del Rosario May 29, 2025

Filipinas Who Served

^{Kylie Verzosa in Mark Bumgarner. Pia Wurtzbach in Zuhair Murad. Marina Summers in Rajo Laurel. Chelsea Manalo in Michael Cinco.}

Filipino representation made a strong statement this year with Kylie Verzosa and Pia Wurtzbach’s return to the Cannes Film Festival. Joining the red carpet for the first time—all while making history—is Marina Summers, who became the first Filipina Drag Queen to walk the red carpet of Cannes, and Miss Universe Philippines 2024 Chelsea Manalo.

Bold, Bright, Thai

^{Araya Hargate in Armani. Praya Lundberg in Vivienne Westwood. Rebecca Armstrong in Nicolas Jebran. Veena Praveenar Singh in Michael Cinco. Punpreedee in Sorapol London. Nychaa in custom Georges Chakra. Davikah Hoorne in Gucci. Faye Peraya in Giambattista Valli.}

The Cannes red carpet shone bright with Thai stars this year, led by red carpet regulars Araya Hargate and Praya Lundberg. Award-winning GL actress Rebecca Armstrong also made a striking return. Making their debuts were Miss Universe Thailand Veena Praveenar Singh, actress and entertainment news host Punpreedee, television star Nychaa, fashion darling Davikah Hoorne, and former Miss Grand Thailand 2016 and actress Faye Peraya.

China’s Finest

^{Zhou Dongyu in Boucheron. Fan Bingbing in Tamara Ralph. Wan Qian Hui in Wang Feng. Zhou Ye in Alexis Mabille. Alexa Chung in Celine. Gao Yuanyuan in Georges Hobeika. Zhong Chuxi in Elie Saab.}

China’s presence was equally dazzling, with powerhouses like Zhou Dongyu, Fan Bingbing, and Cannes 2024 mystery girl Wan Qian Hui commanding attention. This year also saw several debuts, such as C-Drama star Zhou Ye, English-Chinese personality Alexa Chung, and critically acclaimed actresses Gao Yuanyuan and Zhong Chuxi.

Hallyu Queens

^{Kim Go-eun in Chanel. Han So-Hee in Boucheron. Minha Kim in Maison Reve.}

The Korean wave continued its way to Cannes. Kim Go-eun made a dazzling return after her debut ten years ago, while Han So-Hee walked the red carpet for the second time. Making her Cannes debut was Pachinko star Minha Kim.

Japanese Scene-Stealers

^{Suzu Hirose in Louis Vuitton. Yō Yoshida in Malhotra. Nana Komatsu in Chanel. TWICE Mina in Boucheron.}

Japan’s lineup featured an exciting mix of established stars and fresh faces. Award-winning actress Suzu Hirose returned to the red carpet for the first time since 2015. Joining her were well-respected actresses Yō Yoshida and Nana Komatsu, as well as K-Pop idol TWICE Mina—all three celebrated their debuts.

South Asia’s Brightest

^{Natasha Poonawalla in Balenciaga. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in Malhotra. Aditi Rao Hydari in Rahul Mishra. Saffron Vadher in Dior. Janhvi Kapoor in custom Anamika Khanna. Nitanshi Goel in custom Maison Tai.}

India brought star power in full force, led by Cannes regulars Natasha Poonawalla, a global fashion icon, and former Miss World Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, alongside celebrated actress Aditi Rao Hydari. Making memorable debuts were model Saffron Vadher, Homebound lead Janhvi Kapoor, and Laapataa Ladies breakout star Nitanshi Goel.

This year, Asian stars didn’t just shine on the Cannes red carpet—they celebrated their artistry and proudly carried their stories, cultures, and identities. Whether they realized it or not, they were making a case for Asian talent, one red carpet appearance at a time.

Featured Image and Photos: KYLIE VERZOSA, PIA WURTZBACH, MARINA SUMMERS, ARAYA HARGATE, PRAYA LUNDBERG, REBECCA ARMSTRONG, VEENA PRAVEENAR SINGH, PUNPREEDEE, NYCHAA, FAYE PERAYA, BOUCHERON, JERSEY CHONG, WAN QIAN HUI, ZHOU YE, ALEXA CHUNG, GAO YUANYUAN, ZHONG CHUXI, KIM GO-EUN, HAN SO-HEE, MINHA KIM, LOUIS VUITTON, YO YOSHIDA, NANA KOMATSU, NATASHA POONAWALLA, AISHWARYA RAI BACHCHAN, ADITO RAO HYDARI, SAFFRON VADHER, JANHVI KAPOOR, NITANSHI GOEL (via Instagram)

Moira Del Rosario

Digital Content Writer

Once immersed in fictional writing at UP Diliman, Moira del Rosario eventually traded imagined worlds for the fast-paced landscape of digital media as a Digital Content Writer for MEGA Asia, covering women’s stories across the region alongside the latest in beauty.

They spotlight women shaping culture today through profiles, exclusive features, and roundups on Asian representation at global fashion events. They also write about beauty through a growing lens—covering makeup, skincare, wellness, nails, and fragrance with curiosity and a strong eye for emerging trends.

Having worked in digital media for years, Moira is drawn to stories that beg to be unraveled—from the ever-changing landscape of pop culture and the inner workings of beauty to queer voices that deserve to be seen, celebrated, and championed.

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