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| Thai Actress-Singer Nene Says Goodbye, Hello Qala Nôir — And It’s a Whole New Vibe |
The Thai entertainment scene just got hit with a major rebrand — and it’s got everyone talking. Pornnappan Pornpenpipat, better known to most as Nene, has officially shed her former image and stepped into an entirely new persona: Qala Nôir.
The name change was announced in dramatic fashion during her recent fan meeting, where she didn’t just unveil her new stage name, but also revealed a brand-new Instagram handle from Nenevader — @Oxqala — and rebranded her fanbase from the bubbly “Atom” to the more mysterious “The Killian.” The vibe shift? Undeniably intense.
An Emotional Scene with Bright Sends Fans Reeling
In one of the most talked-about moments of the night, Qala Nôir stunned fans by hopping off the stage barefoot mid-performance. She made her way through the crowd and straight into the arms of her boyfriend, actor and singer Bright Vachirawit Chivaaree, breaking down in tears before pulling herself together and returning to perform.
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That one moment — raw, unrehearsed, and deeply emotional — became symbolic of what the night was all about: letting go of the past, and embracing something entirely new.
Not Everyone’s Clapping, Though
While many fans praised her honesty and bravery, others weren’t quite sold. The transformation from Nene — once known as Zheng Naixin, the sweet C-pop idol from Produce Camp 2020 — to Qala Nôir has been met with mixed reactions online.
Netizens were quick to bring up past controversies, like when she commented on the cleanliness of public toilets in China — a statement that clashed with her previous pride in her Chinese heritage during her idol days.
Add to that the backlash she faced when she went public with Bright, upsetting both C-netizens and shippers of his hit BL series 2gether, and you’ve got a rebrand that’s as risky as it is bold.
But if the critics thought they could shake her, Qala Nôir’s latest message shows otherwise.
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A Farewell Letter to “Nene”
In a heartfelt message shared onstage and later posted online, the artist bid goodbye to her former self with a poetic letter:
“To everyone who once loved ‘Nene’, thank you… I gave all the love, hope, and strength I had to follow what I believed in. And now… I’ve finally found it. The light I was searching for has been within me all along.”
“It’s time for ‘Nene’ to rest. From here on, I will carry the next chapter myself — under a new name, with a new voice, and in a new world.”
Fans described the moment as “bittersweet but empowering,” with many noting that while the decision may be polarising, the sincerity behind it couldn’t be questioned.
Qala Nôir’s New Era Begins
Now officially stepping into her identity as Qala Nôir, she’s also embracing a darker, more artistic aesthetic — and a sense of full control over her image and direction. Whether the world is ready or not, she’s clearly all in. And honestly? You’ve got to respect the boldness.