Beauty queen Huynh Nguyen Mai Phuong has made a return to showbiz in various roles, including releasing her debut album "A Beautiful Mess" and acting in the film "Trum So". On this occasion, she discussed her work and life.

"What does venturing into a new field mean to you?"

"I withdrew from showbiz for about 15 months to reflect on myself, my journey, and to find a new direction. I distinctly remember the feeling of standing on stage for the showcase introducing my debut music project. When the lights went out, I was almost exhausted but happy because I gave my all."

"What I felt most clearly was a liberation from stagnation. During the project, there were times I questioned if my chosen path was right or wrong, or if the audience would embrace it. Yet, the further I went, the more I realized what I could achieve. It's the same with acting; I want to challenge myself to explore more of who I am."

"What was the reason for your long absence?"

"There was a point when I realized I couldn't communicate with people naturally; everything felt forced. I also lost connection with myself. Previously, I always presented a positive image to the public as a beauty queen but rarely shared what was truly inside. I worried that if I revealed private stories, people might see me differently. This led me into a vicious cycle of psychological struggle."

"Recently, I have used music to express hidden feelings without fear. As a result, the knots within me have untied, and I am gradually regaining my confidence."

"Looking back at your choice to live in seclusion at that time, what do you regret most?"

"I have no regrets, only a great deal of pity for myself. Perhaps I pursued external validation while neglecting an inner friend – my true self. This doesn't mean what I showed the audience was fake or that I deliberately projected a strong facade. The essence lies solely in how I assessed and confronted issues. I was wrong to strain myself, not knowing how to decisively resolve that tangled mess of emotions."

"Nevertheless, I am happy because that turbulent period taught me how to grow. Saying this now brings me relief."

"What do you want to convey through your self-composed songs?"

"Through 11 tracks in the album, I share fragments of my soul. Some say they 'never seen Mai Phuong cry,' but the truth is I shed many tears; I just didn't show it. When I calmed down, I realized that during a period of psychological transition, I needed to find a way to dialogue with myself instead of suppressing emotions. People will clearly see this when they listen to 'Dau Xu Uot Goi'."

"In 'Corset', I talk about love and freeing myself from a suffocating relationship. The song marks a shift in my awareness. Previously, I tended to be impulsive, rarely taking time to listen and observe. After a while, I find myself more patient and calmer in various situations."

"When you felt stuck, what did you do to overcome it?"

"Music has saved me many times. However, there was also a period when I couldn't connect with what I was listening to. At that time, I thought I had to create my own music – which led me to songwriting."

"Additionally, I often choose to walk every afternoon after long hours in the studio. Hearing the birds or surrounding sounds helps me relax and feel more inspired."

"I try not to overthink, doing things I enjoy like buying a good meal or a cup of milk tea. I also paint and play with my cats to balance my mind. My family is far away but always a support system, offering me much advice."

"What did you reflect on when you slowed down your pace of life?"

"I realized time passes quickly; every day I wake up, I see myself changing. Looking at old photos, I notice my current eyes and energy are very different. This reminds me to live each day to the fullest."

"In the past, I was afraid to speak, afraid to make mistakes. Now, I understand what I want and know how to express it. I also dare to confront my mistakes. I once stumbled in my thoughts and expressions, which led me to withdraw or always have my guard up. But the more I stayed in that state, the further I pushed myself away from everything. Ultimately, I realized no one is immune to mistakes; what matters is what you learn from the experience."

"In my work, I used to be quite blunt, sometimes making others feel rebuffed. But then, I learned to give people time to understand me, while also seeking to understand them to foster better collaboration. Misunderstandings with the team also taught me to listen, admit fault, and make adjustments."

"'No one succeeds alone. The most important thing when working together is mutual understanding and respect for teammates' is a saying from my current manager that is etched in my mind. I understand that perfection is not necessary; sincerity is what matters. It's the same with art; a story only resonates with others when it's most authentic."

"What pressures did you face upon your return?"

"While preparing for the showcase, I didn't sleep peacefully for a single night. I experienced significant hair loss, worsening skin, and frequent nightmares. Some nights I would wake up and cry because the emotions in my dreams felt too real."

"I almost constantly thought about work. Sometimes in the studio, I would be so tired I'd lie down on the couch for a nap. But as soon as I woke up, I'd question, 'How can I sleep when everything is still in disarray?' Yet, by some invisible force, everything was completed."

"For someone with a starting point as a beauty queen like me, it's hard to avoid audience debate when venturing into a new field. I mentally prepared myself to accept all feedback. Instead of dwelling on praise or criticism, I choose to focus on improving myself."

"What is the greatest value you have gained from four years in showbiz?"

"From the early days, I worked with many experienced seniors. They taught me, and gave me initial opportunities. Currently, I am on a different path and may no longer collaborate with some, but gratitude always remains in my heart. I always consider myself a student, and those I meet on my professional journey are my teachers. Regardless of the role, maintaining my image and doing everything well is how I show appreciation for what I have learned."

Mai Phuong (fourth from right) with the "Trum So" crew at the film premiere on 23/4 in Ho Chi Minh City.

"What do you say to the comment that 'Mai Phuong is tough and ambitious'?"

"I think I am resilient. This trait gives me a strong and steadfast spirit, allowing me to be firm in my choices. In moments of weakness or fatigue, I can pick myself up to keep moving forward. For example, when competing in the beauty pageant, lifting weights to improve my physique required persistence. Without determination, I would have struggled to compensate for my weaknesses."

"Regarding ambition, I believe it's necessary to motivate myself. I am not solely focused on fame but also on creating inspiring value. I always choose the harder path over the easier one, believing challenges will always teach me how to improve. When I do anything, I try to see it through. If I don't achieve it, I don't accept it because I am a perfectionist."

"What are your current goals?"

"As a newcomer, I don't set distant goals to avoid putting pressure on myself. I want to gradually connect with the audience through positive, energetic music. What I convey is not overly complex but rather relatable stories about myself and love. I believe many women out there can understand and empathize."

"I find my music suited for stages like fashion shows, concerts, or festivals, so I want to pursue this direction for development. Additionally, I focus on fashion – a strength from my time as a beauty queen – to enhance recognition. With acting, if given the opportunity, I want to try more diverse roles."

Mai Phuong's dynamic appearance in everyday life.

"How will you conquer the audience?"

"In this new field, which demands many skills, I must hone my abilities daily. I have the opportunity to work with the DTAP group, so I understand more about songwriting and perfecting products. I also learn much from domestic and international artists regarding mindset and professional work style. For example, in my debut album, I invited international singers and songwriters like SYA (Philippines), Awrii (Curacao), Danilla (Indonesia), and F.Hero (Thailand) to collaborate. With acting, working with veteran actors like Thanh Thuy and Duc Thinh has greatly broadened my perspective."

"I believe that if I work diligently and put my heart into the product, opportunities will gradually open up."

Huynh Nguyen Mai Phuong, originally from Dong Nai, is 1,7 m tall. The beauty queen won the title of Miss Dong Nai University in 2018, entered the top 5 Miss Vietnam 2020 before being crowned Miss World Vietnam 2022. Afterward, Mai Phuong competed in the 71st Miss World in India, reaching the top 40. She is pursuing a Master's degree in English Linguistics at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Ho Chi Minh City, with an IELTS score of 8.0.

Tan Cao