Meritorious Artist Phuong Nga entered the Sao Mai competition with 2 million VND, having been infatuated with someone since 11th grade.

(Dan Tri Newspaper) - The female singer said that because her parents were busy, she went to Ho Chi Minh City alone to compete in the Sao Mai competition. After winning the award, she felt like a lonely star because there was no one by her side.

Meritorious Artist Phuong Nga is known as one of the leading soprano singers of the classical opera genre, belonging to the same generation as artists such as Trong Tan, Anh Tho, Lan Anh, etc.

Meritorious Artist Phuong Nga performing on stage (Photo: Provided by the subject).

She won first prize in the first season of the Sao Mai singing competition (2001) with the song "Bóng cây Kơ-nia" by composer Phan Huỳnh Điểu, with lyrics by Ngọc Anh.

Meritorious Artist Phuong Nga Sao Mai has released many music albums such as: Bong Cay Ko-nia (2004), Oi Cuoc Song Men Thuong ( 2012), Hoa Va Nhac ( 2014), Tieng Hat Giua Rung Pac Bo (2021)...

Phuong Nga began studying professional vocal music at the age of 14. She completed 3 years of elementary, 4 years of intermediate, 4 years of university, 3 years of postgraduate studies, and 6 years of doctoral studies. The female singer was awarded the title of Meritorious Artist in March of this year.

Currently, she is the Deputy Head of the Vocal Department at the Vietnam National Academy of Music.

Speaking to a reporter from Dan Tri newspaper , Phuong Nga said that thanks to the love of the audience, in addition to teaching, she still regularly performs in a number of art programs.

"However, I don't accept every invitation to any program. I'm willing to participate in programs that are dedicated and legitimate. For other programs, I have certain choices. It's not about the high or low fee, but about suitability before I participate in performances," Phuong Nga said.

When asked about her first teacher, Meritorious Artist Phuong Nga revealed that it was her father - Dr. Nguyen Manh Hien, a sociologist.

Her father studied in Russia for 12 years and received an honorary Red Certificate during that time. Growing up in a family with a tradition of academic excellence, her parents were very strict with their children, and it was thanks to that strictness that she always studied diligently, worked hard, and was filial.

"My father worked at the Vietnam-Soviet Friendship Cultural Palace. It was very sunny that day, and I had a class near where he worked. I said, 'Dad, could you give me a ride to class?' He said, 'Go by yourself.'"

That whole day, I went to school feeling down. That evening, my father stroked my hair and said, "See? You can overcome difficulties if you have willpower and determination. Don't let anything affect your work." My father's strictness helped me become stronger and more mature," Phuong Nga recounted.

Besides her father, her mother is also a very important person to her. Meritorious Artist Phuong Nga shared that her mother is the head of the accounting department, so she is very good at calculations. She always wholeheartedly loves her husband, children, and now her grandchildren.

The female Doctor of Music said that in 2001, she went to Ho Chi Minh City alone to participate in the Sao Mai singing competition because her father was on a business trip in Russia and her mother was busy building a house.

"I brought 2 million VND in my pocket to Ho Chi Minh City to participate in the Sao Mai competition. Luckily, the organizers covered all the expenses, so I didn't spend much. I decided to take each round as it came because I didn't think I would win first prize in the Classical Music category."

"When I received the award, I was greeted with flowers from the organizers and fans, and I gave interviews to the media. Afterwards, everyone went out to eat because they all had friends and family there to cheer them on. Standing alone on stage, I felt sad and burst into tears. At that moment, I truly felt like a lonely star...", the female artist confided.

Phuong Nga said that because the competition was broadcast live, her parents already knew that their daughter had won first prize. The next day, when she returned to Hanoi, she found her mother "losing her voice" from answering questions from the media and press about her daughter.

"My mother may seem strict on the outside, but she's actually gentle and warm-hearted. She's hardworking, thrifty, and frugal, ensuring our family has a comfortable and fulfilling life. I have a carefree life, without worries or calculations, because of my mother's support. I often tease her, calling her... the 'big spender' of the family," Phương Nga said.

Phuong Nga once competed in the Sao Mai singing competition with only 2 million VND in her pocket (Photo: Provided by the subject).

The singer, originally from Hanoi, admitted that music has given her fame, confidence, and a stable life. "Although I'm not rich, I can make a living from my profession. I feel lucky to be able to work for my passion...", she said.

When asked, "People say Phuong Nga is very 'gentle-tempered,' so do you ever lose your temper, especially when your children are mischievous?"

The artist said, "If I were teaching, I would never yell at my students, but with my own child, even if I remind them 10 times and they still just say 'yes, ma'am' and ignore me, I have to pick up a clothes hanger, raise it, and gently scold them before they listen."

Phuong Nga has two daughters; her eldest, 21, is studying at the Academy of Traditional Medicine, and her younger daughter is turning 11. She feels fortunate that her children are always diligent in their studies and respectful to their elders.

Although her daughter is grown up, the artist doesn't forbid her from falling in love: "I often tell her that she should have a high school romance, just like I used to have a crush on someone in 11th grade. But we only liked each other for a year and then it was over."

"I told my daughter that when two people are in love, they must become a pair of friends who support each other's progress, it shouldn't affect their studies, they shouldn't get involved in anything too far-fetched, and as long as their feelings remain pure, then I will support them," Phuong Nga confided.

Phuong Nga also describes herself as a thoughtful, calm person who always thinks positively. "In my free time, I often listen to music and audiobooks, such as ' How to Win Friends and Influence People,' 'Journey to the East ,' etc., which guide people towards goodness. It's been a long time since I cried because I consider myself strong and independent," shared Meritorious Artist Phuong Nga.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giai-tri/nsut-phuong-nga-di-thi-sao-mai-voi-2-trieu-dong-say-nang-tu-nam-lop-11-20241220015541867.htm