Bao Ngoc is among the standout contestants on "Em xinh say hi," a music competition nearing its final stages. She and her teammates have delivered several performances with millions of views, such as "Ga san ca," "Tung," and "Qua chin qua." In this interview, the singer talks about the changes in her life and eight years in the music industry.

How has your work changed thanks to the impact of the music programs you've participated in?

2024 was a memorable milestone for me. I worked tirelessly, sometimes going 48 hours without sleep. I used to see my colleagues, those who started at the same time or were the same age, constantly posting their performance schedules, sometimes over a dozen shows a month. I wondered, "How do they have so many opportunities?" Recently, I've been able to experience that myself.

There were times I was exhausted. I remember when I participated in the series "Xuan ha thu dong roi lai xuan," I was constantly flying domestically and internationally for filming. Some days, I would be on an IV drip while rehearsing with the band, or I'd finish one show, rush home to shower, then get back in the car to go to the set of another program. I realized that if you work with passion, you might get tired, but you'll never be unhappy.

I don't stop to revel in my achievements because I understand that what I've accomplished isn't extraordinary. I see myself as being lucky rather than successful. When the audience shows their love, I have to work harder and not become arrogant.

Lam Bao Ngoc in a colorful outfit at round four of the show "Em xinh say hi."

How do you manage your living expenses and reinvest in personal projects with your income?

Previously, when I had fewer shows, I taught singing. But recently, I've been fortunate to receive more offers, so my income has increased and become more stable. I choose to work diligently and save rather than be picky. I understand my place in the industry, so I never overcharge and sometimes even offer discounts to partners. I see this as a way to build and expand relationships.

Thanks to my hard work and saving habits, I paid off the loan I took from family members to organize my first mini-concert at the end of 2023. Back then, I was worried about whether I could handle such a large debt. Now I'm relieved and can fully focus on developing my career.

What does your family say about your growth?

I don't come from a showbiz family, but I was raised in a musical environment. My grandmother, aunts, uncles, parents, sister, and cousins all teach music, which is the foundation that helped me receive support when I pursued a singing career.

In the eyes of my parents and many relatives, I'm "little Ngoc, always up for fun." However, when a relative lent me almost half a billion VND for my show and placed their faith in my music career, I felt recognized. When I heard people say, "Ngoc has really grown up," I was happy. I've repaid the monetary debt, but the debt of their love and sacrifice is probably something I can never fully repay.

Since 8/2024, I've moved from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City. My work keeps me busy, so I rarely go back to my hometown. During the Tet holiday of At Ty, I performed in Hanoi, and my parents took a bus from Ninh Binh to watch. I managed to organize a small Tet gathering with simple dishes like pho cuon, com chay, and chicken salad. When I paid the bill for the party, I felt happier than ever.

What is the biggest lesson you've learned from your parents that you carry with you in life?

My parents are older, but they are very talented. My father plays many instruments, like the guitar, violin, piano, saxophone, and accordion. My mother never formally learned sewing but often makes beautiful things. She also organizes charity programs and choreographs performances for students in competitions. My childhood filled with love and music is the foundation of who I am today.

They never pressured me to achieve a certain level of success, only reminding me to "never be arrogant." In 2014, I passed the entrance exam to the University of Culture and Arts, and I was a bit smug because, at that time, not every child from a small village could achieve that. My parents reminded me, "You got into that school, but there are many people who get into even more prestigious universities. This path has just begun, so keep learning." That advice has stayed with me for the past 10 years, helping me to stay grounded and see every success as just a beginning.

Family is always my biggest support. In 2024, I sang the song "Huong vi tinh than," which was well-received by the audience. When I sang each line, I thought of my parents, and my emotions intensified.

Many people want to show their gratitude to their parents when they succeed by buying them a house, a car, or luxury gifts. What about you?

I've never seen expressing gratitude as pressure. I believe that however much I earn, I will choose a suitable way to show my care. Buying expensive things for my parents isn't the only way to be a good and filial child.

For me, sometimes small gestures make them happy. For example, my father loves tea, so whenever he runs out, I immediately order some from his favorite place and have it sent to him. My mother loves bun dau, so whenever she comes to Hanoi, I have to find a good restaurant to take her to. I believe these small joys help alleviate the pressures of life and also align with their teachings of not being wasteful.

Currently, my biggest worry is my parents' health. They, in turn, always remind me to eat properly, stay warm when it's cold because I'm prone to laryngitis and sinusitis, and get enough sleep to do everything well. On social media, they quietly follow their daughter or keep up with news, and if anything happens, they immediately text, "Are you okay?"

Lam Bao Ngoc on stage at an event mid-year.

What will shape your journey ahead?

I think this year's Lam Bao Ngoc will be different: more mature, introspective, and profound. The most important thing for me is to stay calm, not rush into releasing new products or competing with anyone, but to clearly understand my own value and maintain a steady approach to my work. I may not be ready to become an A-list star, but I'm satisfied with what I've achieved.

I learn from many seniors and colleagues. I see this as a way to grow. For instance, in the industry, I really admire Hoang Dung. I admire his songwriting; the lyrics are simple but have a very chill vibe that makes the mind feel relaxed, like meditating.

In my personal life, I still choose to rent and don't have big needs like buying a house or a car. I'm very careful with my spending. When I'm on tour, I don't need to stay in fancy hotels, fly business class, or buy expensive things. I prioritize my budget for projects, aiming to do bigger concerts in the future. At this time, I'm not overly wealthy, but I have enough to confidently pursue my career.

You've experienced heartbreak after a breakup. How have you overcome it?

Somewhere within me, the feeling of insecurity in relationships still lingers, but it's not as heavy. Music, a successful career, and the relationships with friends and colleagues around me have helped soothe me and reduce negative thoughts.

Currently, I prioritize my career over romantic relationships. Years ago, when I sang "Goc nho rieng em," musician Le Minh Son commented, "You need to experience more love because your singing sounds too innocent." After eight years, the relationships that have come and gone have taught me many lessons and experiences. I will use those emotions to sing, not because I'm clinging to the past, but so that listeners can feel the depth that Lam Bao Ngoc is beginning to possess.

Now I cherish every peaceful and gentle moment in life, like sitting at a street food stall or chatting with friends in a corner of a coffee shop. I used to fall in love headfirst, but now I'm more level-headed.

Previously, the audience commented that you overused high notes in your performances. How are you controlling that now?

I used to love singing high notes, not to outdo anyone, but to conquer difficult notes in music. Before university, I could only reach G5 and A5. Through practice, I expanded my vocal range to C5, C6, and even whistle register.

From 2017 to 2019, I favored songs that required power and strong technique. But after "The Masked Singer" in 2023, I started to moderate. In the show "Xuan ha thu dong roi lai xuan" in 2024, the audience could see I chose a gentler storytelling approach.

I still pursue my profession as a vocalist, but I don't necessarily need to show off. I've realized that singing high notes doesn't necessarily sound good if it doesn't convey the story and emotions in the song. Singing for me now is like whispering to the audience; I no longer want to shout.

How do you receive praise and criticism?

I maintain a relaxed attitude, without pressure. I won't regret stopping at any round. I always compare life to a graph; there are ups and downs, so I accept everything calmly, including setbacks.

The thing I'm happiest about in my recent journey is that I'm less afraid and dare to step out of my comfort zone, the "Lam Bao Ngoc who only stands and sings ballads." On the show, I performed dance, rap, songwriting, and music production for the first time. At the beginning, I was afraid to be the team leader, but by Live Stage 4, I fulfilled that role. I like to take risks, not to attract attention, but to gain more experience.

In Live Stage 3, I cut my hair short and competed in dance with many other contestants. When I heard the judges say, "Bao Ngoc can do more than people imagine," I was happy. By episode nine, I almost cried when Tran Thanh commented on my performance: "I apologize for misjudging you. Today, I'm proud to see you step into a new realm. I believe you will go further."

Lam Bao Ngoc, 28, from Ninh Binh, started singing at the age of three. Growing up, Bao Ngoc was admitted to the Music Education Department at the University of Culture and Arts. The singer, praised by professionals and audiences for her voice, won second place in Sao Mai 2017, The Voice 2019, and the silver prize at the National Band Festival 2019.

Bao Ngoc's notable songs include "Buong" (Nguyen Duy Anh), "Vung ky uc" (Duy Khang), "Nhung ke mong mo" (Nguyen Bao Trong), "Roi em se gap mot chang trai khac" (Hua Kim Tuyen), and "Noi khong thanh loi" (Nguyen Hai Minh).

Tan Cao