Beauty Queen Charlotte Austin Leaves Management, Focuses on Self-Care
Charlotte Austin, Miss Grand Chumphon 2022, is leaving her management contract to handle her own career while focusing on mental health recovery from panic disorder through meditation and Buddhist practices.
Charlotte Austin, a Thai-British beauty queen crowned Miss Grand Chumphon 2022 and fifth runner-up at Miss Grand Thailand 2022, has decided to manage her own career and will not renew her contract with Miss Grand International Public Company Limited.
Charlotte has opened up about her decision and revealed opportunities to collaborate with her close friend Ingfah Waraha, as well as her experience with panic disorder. Multiple entertainment industry figures have consulted her about managing anxiety.
**Have many industry people asked you about managing panic attacks?** Charlotte: "Yes, they ask how to stop relying on medication. I don't know if I'm 100% healed, but I can control myself now. I'm not stressed or anxious anymore, not caught in suspicion, and I don't panic at things that used to trigger me. It was a difficult journey to get here."
**What's your strategy when panic attacks happen?** Charlotte: "I listen to Buddhist teachings and try to visit temples. I take myself to calm places rather than crowded or stimulating ones like malls. I choose peaceful settings to relax so I don't feel afraid or suspicious of people."
**What was your worst period like?** Charlotte: "I didn't want to work or go anywhere—just stay home. After the rumor crisis two years ago, I was afraid people would come after me. But over time, I realized I hadn't done anything wrong. I cried at work, while driving, before and after work. I was angry at myself for not improving. Seeing myself change in videos made me realize I used to be so bright and cheerful. I wanted to get that person back, so I started working on myself."
**So it all comes down to your own mindset?** Charlotte: "Yes. Nobody can help you if you don't want to help yourself. Friends were there, but once they left, I fell back into old patterns—insomnia, stress. Nobody can be with you forever except yourself, so I had to fight for myself."
**Did you see the birthday wishes for your boss (Anucha Isiravakul)?** Charlotte: "I wished him happy birthday on Instagram and Line. He thanked me and responded. I was happy. I want him to know I love and respect him always. But we haven't seen each other since Ingfah's concert—I haven't been to the office or attended company events, so we haven't had a chance to meet in person."
**About your decision to manage yourself?** Charlotte: "My contract has 8-9 months left, ending around late April next year. I need to be ready. I've learned lessons and gained experience, so now I need to figure out how to handle managing myself 100%. It will be difficult with obstacles, but I'm asking everyone for their support.
The decision is made. I've discussed it with the company's assistant, and they said let's work together. We'll organize fan meetings so fans can see me and I can send them lots of love."
**Did you hesitate?** Charlotte: "We talked about it 3-4 times until I decided. It was a difficult decision. I didn't know what would happen. I asked my family too. I was stressed for 4-5 months about what to do. This place is like my home, but leaving isn't abandonment—it's growth. I can always come back, join events, meet, and talk. I love and respect my boss greatly as an elder. Even if I leave, I want to visit, collaborate, and congratulate him on special occasions. I want him to see I'm still his child."
**What about working with Ingfah?** Charlotte: "It depends on the management company. Once I'm not with the agency, there might be different terms and we might not be locked together. But personally, I'm willing and eager to keep working together because Ingfah is like a sister to me."