| Smile | |||||||||
| Native Name Lang: | my | ||||||||
| Birth Name: | Than Thar Htoo | ||||||||
| Birth Place: | Rangoon, Burma | ||||||||
| Birth Date: | 1986 6, df=y | ||||||||
| Nationality: | Burmese | ||||||||
| Occupation: | Actress, model, singer, writer, businesswoman | ||||||||
| Other Names: | Smile Maung | ||||||||
| Years Active: | 1998–present | ||||||||
| Alma Mater: | Uxbridge College | ||||||||
| Module: |
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Smile (Burmese: စမိုင်းလ်; born Than Thar Htoo on 22 June 1986), also known as Smile Maung, is a Burmese actress, singer, former model, writer and businesswoman.[1] She was one of the most popular models around the 2000s.[2] Throughout her career, she has acted in over 50 films.[3]
Smile was born on 22 June 1986 in Yangon, Myanmar into the film production family. She is the granddaughter of famous actress Khin Lay Swe.[4] She is the youngest daughter of two siblings, having an elder sister. She went to study in London at Uxbridge College.[5]
Smile began her modeling career in 1998 at the age of 14. In addition to her appearances on magazine covers and as a commercial model for numerous TV advertisements, she quickly garnered attention from the film industry. Her diligent work as a model and her talent in commercial acting led to offers for TV commercials and subsequently DVD productions. As her reputation grew, she began receiving enticing casting offers for movies. Remarkably, she embarked on her acting journey in films at the tender age of 16. Her film career took off with her debut in the film A Chit The Laypyay (Love is Breeze) alongside Dwe and Eaindra Kyaw Zin.[6]
In 2002, she starred in the big-screen film Kyar Mee Swal Ko Ko Myauk Muu Lae Ma Ma, where she played the main role with Wai Lu Kyaw and Nandar Hlaing. After relocating to England in 2003, she made a conscious decision to step away from her film career following her marriage and the arrival of her children. As a result, she completely withdrew from the industry.[7]
After a decade-long absence from the public eye, Smile made a comeback in 2012, embarking on a music career. On October 15, 2013, she successfully launched her debut solo album titled "New Me", marking a significant milestone in her music career.[2] In 2017, she starred in 4 films, including Gayat Tway Par Hal.[8]
On February 10, 2019, she published her biography book titled "Sharing Is Caring", which delves into the topics of body shaming and fitness.[9] [10] From 2000 to present, she has acted in more than 50 video/films.
Smile married Pyae Maung, a golfer who played for the Myanmar National Golf Team. Their careers evolved from the arts and sports to the telecom industry in 2006 with what started as a calling card business based in London. In 2012, they founded VMG Telecoms and launched VoIP application Ytalk.[11] Under the names of Smile Empire and Smile Online Cinema, their businesses have evolved to the realms of digital content partnerships, mobile payment apps, entertainment, gaming, and hospitality.[12]
Smile also owns Simile Hotel in Pyin Oo Lwin, and Smile Mart in Yangon. However, their main business source is unknown. A Burmese anti-junta activist group claimed that Smile may be linked with Burmese army generals, involved in arms trafficking for the military, and connected to online gambling networks in Myanmar.[13] [14]
In August 2022, the couple purchased a mansion owned by American YouTuber Jeffree Star, which was worth US$16.7 million.[15]
They have two daughters, Su Nadi Maung and Su Yati Maung.[16] Her eldest daughter, Su Nadi Maung (Portia) is a model.[17]
She joined the campaign supporting Aung San Suu Kyi's defense of Myanmar against genocide charges related to the Rohingya crisis at the UN's top court in The Hague in December 2019.[18]
Smile founded PSPC Foundation in California. She became a board member of the White Ribbon USA, a non-profit organization which she regularly donates to.
In the aftermath of the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état, Smile donated 100,000 Kyat to each of the ten protesters who fell during the crackdown on anti-junta movements in Mandalay.[19]
Smile faced severe criticism for donating 5,000,000 Kyat (equivalent to USD 1,050) to the Myitkyina flood in July 2024, while simultaneously donating $10,000 to the LGBT community in the United States. This sparked anger among the residents of Myitkyina, who requested a refund of the donation, stating they did not want her money. Later, Smile posted on her Facebook page expressing anger over the criticism of her donation and stated that she will never donate to Myanmar again.[20]
(Over 50 films)