From the Bottom of My HART

Good morning America, Sawaddee ka!!!!!
My name is Pattaya Hart, what’s yours?!?!?? 
 
Welcome to my very first MGA Newsletter, “From the bottom of my HART” (yes, it spells H-A-R-T)
 
First off, I’d like to say THANK YOU so much for all the love and support that I’ve gotten leading to, throughout and even after the pageant. I’m so honored and grateful to be your 48th Miss Gay America!!! I’m looking forward to a fabulous year full of so much love, joy and a whole lot of dancing!!
 
For my first newsletter, I thought I’d tell you a little bit about myself…
My boy name is Methawee Sayampol and I also go by the name Plu (both names are legit, as Thai People generally have 2 names, official name for document and paperwork and nickname for everyday use). Methawee means ‘Wiseman’ and Plu means ‘Fireworks’. I was born and raised in Bangkok, Thailand. I went to school in Thailand and have a degree in Advertising and Marketing. I decided to follow my dream and quit my 9 to 5 office job and moved to New York City about 10 years ago to pursue dancing. I’m now a professional dancer and dance teacher, a proud faculty member at Steps on Broadway, one of the most prestigious dance studios in New York City. I teach Jazz and Theater dance, so if you’re ever in town for a visit, please don’t be afraid to come out and dance with me!!
 
A lot of people asked me “what inspired you to make such a drastic switch in your career path from a successful marketing executive job to a dancing/performing freelance job?”, and I always responded, “Don Quixote made me do it!” People think I was joking, but I was not!! Fun fact, I got cast in a huge Broadway-production musical of “Man of La Mancha” in Thailand. I was the only cast member who was not a professional actor, singer, dancer or dance teacher. I was working my 9 to 5 office job at the time and was taking adult ballet classes on the weekend just for fun. Until one day I heard about the open call audition for this huge production, I snuck out of work to go audition and made it all the way to the end. It was such a life-changing experience, learning how to become a professional actor, singer and dancer within 3-month rehearsal period, getting to work alongside a group of Thailand’s top actors, singers and dancers in the industry. And on top of that, the core message of the show spoke true to my heart and with all the help and support I got from the production team and cast mates, it made me realize my own capability and potential. 

The song “Impossible Dream” (from the show) had struck a very emotional cord in my heart every time I hear it and it gives me the power and the will to push through to achieve anything I set my mind to. This song has been my mantra on how to live my life for the past 12 years, and just like I said, I owe it all to Don Quixote!

After the show closed in 2008, I decided to make a huge move to New York City all by myself for intensive dance training. After months of hard work, I started booking dancing jobs… and I’ve never looked back since.
 
And THAT, ladies and gentlemen, is my ‘Coming to America’ story. I am living proof of the American dream and I’m very proud to share that if this little Asian boy from Thailand who speaks broken English can do it, you all can do it too!!
 
I’ll tell you more about my drag career and the birth of Pattaya Hart in the next “From the bottom of my HART”. Meanwhile please don’t hesitate to leave me some comments, questions or even your concerns below and please keep checking back in for more..
 
Until next time,
xoxo
Pattaya Hart
Miss Gay America 2020