No regrets about having to wait 11 years for success

Vu Thao My and Thu Minh have just won the first season of Our Song Vietnam. She shared with Giao Thong Newspaper about her journey to conquer a new milestone, 11 years after winning the Voice of Vietnam 2013 championship.

Will never stop trying

Was the feeling when Vu Thao My and Thu Minh received the championship of Our Song Vietnam much different from 11 years ago, when you received the championship of The Voice of Vietnam 2013?

When I received the Our Song Vietnam championship with Thu Minh, I had mixed feelings. I was surprised, amazed, happy and confused. That feeling was also very different from 11 years ago.

Thu Minh and Vu Thao My are the champions of the first season of Our Song Vietnam.

At that time, I was too young so everything was confusing. Now that I am more mature, I feel calmer and more appreciative. Being on stage with Thu Minh, who I have always respected, makes me more confident. It is the result of the joint efforts of both sisters.

In the middle of the year, you released your first album and ended the year with the championship title. Do you think now is your peak period?

I dare not affirm that. But looking back at 2024, I see that I have worked hard, all of which are meaningful milestones.

I know, this is just a step forward, there are still many challenges ahead to overcome. I am sure I will have to try harder, constantly improve and develop myself.

How do you feel about having a singing voice, a launching pad from a famous competition, and being "supported" by many senior artists, but it took 11 years for your career to break through?

Everyone has their own time to shine, when their energy and personality are ripe enough or unique enough in their own way. Every success has its price. I don't regret waiting. This time is completely different from when I was 16.

Vu Thao My is the champion of The Voice Vietnam 2013 under the guidance of singer Dam Vinh Hung.

Our Song Vietnam is a competition that I had to try my best for, overcoming not only professional challenges but also my own limits. There were days when I practiced all day and night, recording until 8am the next morning, sleeping only 2-3 hours a day. My body sometimes fell into a state of exhaustion, feeling like I was working unconsciously. However, I still tried, little by little, to get through each stage.

When I was 16, I was lucky to win the championship more easily. But now, as an adult, I truly understand that to be successful, you have to pay with perseverance and constant effort.

What has been holding you back over the past 11 years?

Everything happens for a reason. At the age of 27, when I have grown up and experienced many failures, I truly understand what I need and want in my artistic path. My at the age of 27 is definitely more mature and experienced than My at the age of 16.

Honestly, when I was 16, I didn’t even know what I wanted to eat every day, let alone clearly define my career path (laughs). But those years helped me learn, accumulate and mature. Now, I can confidently pursue what is meaningful to me.

Want to try many genres

During those 11 years, was there ever a time when you doubted your choice?

Very few people have a clear direction for themselves when they are young. I, too, struggled in my youth. I believe that is completely normal. Without setbacks, it would be difficult for us to grow and change. Looking back now, I am grateful for the valuable lessons from those years.

Vu Thao My sang a duet with singer Thu Minh in the first season of Our Song Vietnam.

When I was young, people recognized me as talented, but sometimes I relied on that. It was the lack of direction and experience that made me slower in discovering my potential. The older I get, the more I realize that talent is a precious gift, I should not waste it.

In the past few years, I have become more aware of my responsibility towards music. I am more determined in learning, cultivating and building specific plans for my career. Music, to me, is not just a choice but has become the clearest answer to my life purpose and passion.

That's why you're not afraid to change your style and have many different abilities such as performing, producing in the bilingual album "1.0" and on game shows?

What I show in the album "1.0" or on game shows and stages is part of my journey of discovering myself and music. But I don't want to stop there.

In the future, I want to try more genres, including styles that I have never experienced before. I believe that art is limitless, expanding the color of music will help me constantly develop, bringing new things to the audience.

Times are changing so fast, if I don't make an effort to change myself, learn and develop, I might have fallen behind.

Spending billions to make a MV does not guarantee success

Yet when the Vietnamese music market is a battle of billion-dollar MVs, you don't show any signs of being a good fighter in this race?

In the process of making art, everyone wants to invest in quality MVs for themselves and their audience. However, investing in a product requires careful calculation. High costs do not always mean success.

Image of Vu Thao My in her debut album.

A quality MV is not only judged by the amount of money the artist spends, but also depends on many other factors, from creative ideas, execution to the emotions the artist conveys. The most important thing is still the quality of music that the artist brings. That is what will touch the audience's hearts.

There aren't many billion-dollar MVs, nor many albums. Is it true that you're the type of singer who's busy running shows?

Performing shows to earn money is a good thing, as long as you don’t forget to regularly release products to connect with the audience. Each artist has their own way to develop their career. For me, the balance between performing on stage and investing in music products is important.

It's not always just billion-dollar MVs or new albums that are the only way to develop, but also maintaining a presence in the hearts of fans through shows, music and other activities.

However, for the past 11 years, she still hasn't had a solo live show. For a singer with a voice and conditions like My, is that something worth discussing?

Every artist has their own goals and plans. At the moment, if you ask me about doing a solo live show, the answer is no. I still feel that I have a lot to improve and perfect.

A live show is a big step and not something I am aiming for at the moment. At each point in my career, I have my own priorities and decisions. Right now, I am focusing on developing my music and skills. When I feel ready, I will consider organizing a live show.

Thanks!

Vu Thao My was born in 1997 in Nam Dinh. Under the guidance of Dam Vinh Hung, she became the champion of The Voice Vietnam 2013 when she had just finished 10th grade. After the competition, she spent three years focusing on completing her studies before moving to Ho Chi Minh City to develop her singing career.

She released many MVs such as: "Let go", "Call you an angel", "Just go", "Wait a minute"... In 2023, she attracted attention when she participated in the second season of Mask Singer with the image of Miss Fox. In 2024, she released her debut album "1.0", collaborating with musician Anh Quan.

Source: https://www.baogiaothong.vn/ca-si-vu-thao-my-khong-tiec-nuoi-vi-phai-cho-11-nam-moi-thanh-cong-192241205213728299.htm