Metinee Kingpayom Biography: Age, Ex-Husband, Net Worth, Movies & TV Shows, Height, Children

Metinee Washington Kingpayome, professionally known as Metinee Kingpayome Sharples or by her stage name Lukkade, is a prominent Thai-American actress, model, television host, and beauty pageant titleholder.

She gained international recognition after winning the Miss Thailand World title in 1992 and being crowned Continental Queen of Asia & Oceania at Miss World 1992.

Renowned for her roles in films like Mercury Man (2006) and her mentorship on The Face Thailand, Lukkade has become a trailblazer in Thai entertainment, known for her elegance and advocacy for confidence-building through modeling.

Profile

• Full Name: Metinee Washington Kingpayome
• Stage Name: Lukkade
• Born: 11 June, 1972
• Age: 53 years old
• Birthplace: Washington, D.C., United States
• Nationality: Thai
• Occupation: Actress, Model, Television Host, Producer
• Height: 1.78m
• Parents: Aporn Patchimpihong, Axis Kingpayom
• Siblings: Chris Kingpayome, Mike Kingpayome, Mark Kingpayome
• Spouse: Edward Sharples (m. 2007–2024)
• Children: Skye Kingpayome Sharples
• Relationship: Divorced
• Net Worth: $5 million

Early Life and Education

Metinee Washington Kingpayome was born on June 11, 1972, in Washington, D.C., to Aporn Patchimpihong, and Axis Kingpayom.

She grew up in Queens, New York City, alongside her three younger brothers, Chris, Mike, and Mark Kingpayome (Mike and Mark are twins).

Raised in a tight-knit Thai-American community, she attended Sunday school to learn Thai.

Metinee graduated from Assumption University in Thailand with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.

Her ethnicity is Thai, and her religious beliefs are not publicly known.

Career

Metinee began her career after moving to Thailand on her 20th birthday in 1992, initially intending to pursue modeling for six months.

She entered and won the Miss Thailand World pageant, which led to her representing Thailand at Miss World 1992 in South Africa, where she was crowned Continental Queen of Asia & Oceania.

This victory launched her into the spotlight, leading to modeling contracts and her role as one of Channel V’s first VJ presenters, establishing her as a charismatic media personality.

Her acting career took off with a nomination for a TV Gold Award for Best Actress for Manya Ritsaya (1998) and a Golden Doll Award (Phra Surasawadi Royal Award) for Best Actress in her debut film Box (1998).

She starred in action films like Mercury Man (2006) and The Bullet Wives (2005), showcasing her versatility across genres.

As a mentor and judge on The Face Thailand (Seasons 1–4) and The Face Men Thailand (Seasons 1–2), she became a respected figure in the modeling industry, advocating for inclusivity by supporting transgender contestants.

In 2021, she co-founded MUSE by Metinee with her brother Mark, a modeling academy focused on confidence and personal growth for students of all ages.

Metinee remains a significant influence in Thai entertainment and beyond.

Her recent work includes serving as a judge on Drag Race Thailand Season 3 (2024), reflecting her commitment to diverse representation.

She also runs her beauty brand, Metinee’s Secret, and continues to mentor aspiring models through MUSE by Metinee, which attracts students from ages 4 to 59.

A champion for LGBTQ+ rights, she has walked in fashion shows supporting Pride Month in Bangkok.

Her son, Skye, has represented Thailand in international swimming competitions, adding to her legacy as a proud mother and cultural figure.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @lukkade
• Facebook Handle: Lukkade Metinee
• Twitter Handle: Unknown

Personal Life

Lukkade married Edward Sharples, her former boss at Channel V, in 2007 after meeting him in 1996.

They welcomed their son, Skye, in March 2009, their marriage ended in divorce around 2024, but she continues to co-parent with her ex-spouse.

Based in Bangkok, she maintains a vibrant lifestyle, engaging in philanthropy for LGBTQ+ rights and coaching pageant contestants, including those in Miss Universe Thailand.

Filmography

• Box (1998)
• Province 77 (2002)
• Cholesterol Love (2004)
• The Bullet Wives (2005)
• Mercury Man (2006)
• The Headless Family (2010)
• Deadstock (2016)
• Blood Valentine (2019)
• Strange Girl in a Strange Land (2019)
• Phraofah (2022)

Net Worth

Lukkade has an estimated net worth of $5 million.

Her income stems primarily from her acting roles in films and television, modeling contracts, and television hosting, including her work on The Face Thailand and Drag Race Thailand.

She also earns from her beauty brand, Metinee’s Secret, and her modeling academy, MUSE by Metinee, co-founded with her brother Mark.