Disparity works for Hugo and Hana

 
Musician-songwriter Chulachak “Hugo” Chakrabongse and his wife Tudsanawalai, known as Hana, are proof that “happy couple” doesn’t necessarily mean two people who think and behave the same.
Interviewed in Hello! magazine, Hana reveals that she’s quite different from her hubby. “I love shopping. Sometimes I’ll buy the same item in two or three different colours!” Harrods in London and Bangkok’s Platinum Mall are favourite haunts.
Hugo basically doesn’t shop. “He’ll keep wearing a shirt even if it’s got a hole in it,” Hana snorts.
Socially he’s rather private, so Hana, who has a marketing background (and also enjoys meeting celebrities), contrives to get him out in the public eye. “You’ve got to get out and mingle with people.”
In New York they attended a party with Beyonce, who’d recorded one of Hugo’s songs.
“She was so nice to come and say hello to us and I was just seconds away from asking her for a photo!” But she knew Hugo would accuse her of acting like a groupie.
Hugo does have an idol, though. “When he was on tour in the US he went to an Elvis museum and he was really excited.” In fact their wedding in 2009 had an Elvis theme.
She also prods him to endorse products. “He’s often offered Bt7 million or Bt10 million to be a presenter.” He accepts sometimes, but mostly points out “that the money may be good but then it will be spent and gone, and it’s not worth damaging his image”.
An advertiser once approached Hana about a gig for Hugo and, knowing her husband would refuse anyway, she asked for a ridiculously high fee. The advertiser said okay, so Hana found herself talking Hugo into taking the job – although she hit him up while he was only half awake.
For her part, Hana has just opened a clinic called Lalana next to the Asiatique Mall. “I don’t want to rely on his earnings alone and I don’t want to be airhead housewife.”