Legendary singer Thanh Tuyen: Even after hearing the news of my father's death, I still had to stay on stage and sing and smile

Hanoi [Vietnam], April 10: In the program 'Van Son with Celebrities', renowned singer Thanh Tuyen attracted attention when she shared her story about her tumultuous career. The female artist revealed that she had to suppress her grief upon receiving news of her father's death in order to complete her performance for the audience.
Thanh Tuyen: I became famous so quickly, even faster than Snow White...
Born into a disadvantaged family, renowned singer Thanh Tuyen nurtured her love for Cai Luong (Vietnamese traditional opera) and classical music from very ordinary life experiences. She said that as a child, because of her intense passion, she often collected bottles and scrap metal to sell for money to buy tickets to watch performances. Many times, young Thanh Tuyen had to wait outside the doors, asking audience members to let her in so she could "watch secretly," simply hoping to hear the singing.
Recalling that time, the renowned singer said: "My family was poor, but I loved watching plays. My mother also liked traditional music, so I followed suit. Every time the Kim Chưởng, Thanh Hương, and Hoa Sen troupes came to Da Lat to perform, I would stand in front of the theater, waiting for audience members to let me in to watch. Even the ticket checkers were surprised because they saw me every day. I loved singing that much."
Having been involved with cải lương (Vietnamese traditional opera) since childhood, besides singing love songs and bolero, she said she could also sing traditional music, but because she didn't master the rhythm, she didn't pursue this path professionally. In her youth, she particularly admired artist Thanh Hương in the play " Chen cơm chan mau" (A Bowl of Rice Soaked in Blood), and later was impressed by Bạch Tuyết 's voice in " Suối mơ rền phao cưới" (Dream Stream Resounding with Wedding Firecrackers ). "At that time, I didn't know who Bạch Tuyết was, I just thought her voice was so beautiful that I remembered it forever," the singer of " Chiều mưa bien giới" (Rainy Afternoon at the Border) shared .
A major turning point in her career came when Thanh Tuyen moved to Saigon and received support and promotion. In just about four months, her name quickly became widely known throughout Southern Vietnam, with her image and albums appearing frequently on the market. Looking back on this period, the 40-year-old singer confessed: "I was lucky to have such a strong mentor who promoted me so quickly. I became famous even faster than Bach Tuyet. I apologize for saying this, but it's the truth."
Not only has she achieved a flourishing career, but the renowned singer Thanh Tuyen also believes that artists must wholeheartedly pursue their art, upholding a serious and professional spirit as a core principle. She said that in her time, singers and audiences rarely had the opportunity to meet due to conflicting schedules, leading to a hesitant and less interactive attitude among many artists. Only after settling in the United States did she gradually change. The famous singer said she learned to be more open, approachable, and always willing to take photos with her fans. "Before, when fans asked for photos, I often avoided them, but now I always proactively say I'll go down to the stage to take pictures with everyone," the singer of "The Journey Back at Dawn " shared.
Renowned singer Thanh Tuyen also frankly addressed the opinions that she only became more open when she was no longer at the peak of her beauty. She believes that the audience's affection doesn't stem from appearance but from the respect they have for the artist. According to the female star, what makes her happy is that, even as time passes, she still receives the love of her audience.
The stage belongs to the public.
In her later years, Thanh Tuyen says her health is not what it used to be; her knees are weak, making walking difficult. Even so, she maintains her principle of not bringing negative emotions onto the stage, always appearing with positive energy to serve the audience. Behind the dazzling lights are many challenging moments that the artist must overcome. She once experienced a major tragedy when she received news of her father's death while performing, but still continued to complete the performance. "That day I was performing when I heard the news of my father's passing. But I still had to go on stage, still smile and perform cheerfully," she confided.
According to the renowned singer, sadness is a personal story, while the stage belongs to the public. "The audience doesn't need to know how the artist is doing. They just want to see the artist looking good and singing well. And the artist must deliver that," Thanh Tuyen affirmed. She added that audiences come to art not to witness the performer's personal struggles, but to expect polished visuals and high-quality vocals. According to the veteran artist, this is the boundary between a professional and a true artist, someone willing to set aside personal feelings to fully share the joy with the audience.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper