Talking to Lao Dong Newspaper, she confided about the pressure when facing "heavy" roles, about the challenges when acting with veteran artists and the journey of being a single mother full of willpower to find the two words "peace" amidst breakups.
The role of Dao My Trinh in the movie "Lan ranh" is receiving a lot of feedback from audiences. Amidst a script full of pressures and a character with many acclaims but also many prejudices like My Trinh, what really touched your heart, making you determined to embark on this heavy psychological "game"?
- When I received the script from the director, I spent time researching very carefully. My initial feeling about Dao My Trinh is that she is a character with an extremely edgy personality, and that is the reason why I really like her. In my acting career, I have always been attracted to roles with continuous psychological changes. Therefore, I was immediately conquered by the image of female chairman Dao My Trinh.
This is a role of a successful and talented businesswoman, a "strong woman" who always appears cold and terrible. However, deep inside her is still just a woman with simple wishes: A desire to have someone who always loves her and a soulmate to confide in and share. Having to portray a character with two-dimensional nuances like that is a big challenge. When playing My Trinh, I had to try to portray up to 7 different emotional nuances to help the audience see the masks behind that iron-clad appearance.
To show a dignified and powerful female president, what have you prepared in terms of image as well as psychology, especially in segments that require high concentration?
- The character Dao My Trinh in the film is a female chairman over 40 years old, while in real life I am a little younger than the character. Therefore, I have invested very carefully in office-style, discreet but luxurious outfits to look more dignified, showing the authority of a leader. I prepared about 40 sets of clothes, meticulously from hairstyle, makeup to lipstick color, eye color for each setting. Even after performing, the clothes are still not used up, I also feel a little regretful.
In terms of acting, because this role is very heavy on both dialogue and psychology, every time I enter a scene, I have to focus 200% of my energy. With heavy roles, I cannot act many times for fear of losing emotions. Therefore, I often learn dialogue very carefully from home and discuss with the director as well as co-stars to coordinate well right from the first filming. Especially, meeting scenes or talking in front of a crowd are the most difficult. The dialogue in political films must be accurate in every word, so I am very stressed. In other movies, I don't need to learn dialogue too long in advance, but with My Trinh, I have to practice at home for 1 to 2 days.
Working with veteran artists such as People's Artist Trung Anh and a cast of experienced actors, is there any moment that makes you feel really overwhelmed or have difficulty escaping the role?
- Working with many veteran actors, I was really under pressure. I remember a scene with actor Manh Truong, at that time my face was showing very "cool" to remind my co-star "come home and remember to text your sister", but when I raised my hand to express body language, my hand trembled. That was due to too much pressure in both dialogue and acting. But in that situation, I was forced to try to overcome my own limits.
I also learned a lot from Uncle Trung Anh, Mr. Manh Truong or Ms. Hong Diem. Everyone works very professionally, even though they have to perform long dialogues of 5-6 pages of script about very tense political content, but just film 2 - 3 "doubles" and it's done.
That motivated me to try very hard. There was a very emotional scene with People's Artist Trung Anh that was psychologically heavy, when I finished acting, my tears still flowed because I couldn't get out of the role. To maintain the sad mood for that scene, I didn't talk to anyone all day. Throughout the filming process, I lived like a real Dao My Trinh and only really got out of the role when the film was completed.
Going through the films, what points in common do you see between yourself and the character Dao My Trinh? Will the upheavals in your private life help you better transform into the role?
- When filming the final scenes, I suddenly realized that My Trinh has a point in common with me in being wholehearted in love. I once said to the director: "Why does My Trinh love like you?". Once you love, you love wholeheartedly, without calculation, even though sometimes that instinct is a bit blind.
Recently, I read comments from audiences saying that I act in depth and have a heavier psychology. Perhaps stumbles and storms in everyday life have helped me grow up. When I have gone through many injuries, I have accumulated more experience and life experience to better transform into the role. With past stumbles, I do not consider them a setback but a lesson to be more mature. From a girl who was somewhat arrogant and mischievous, now I feel I have enough calmness to cherish what has passed.
As a single mother, how do you balance the stressful acting career and taking care of your children, especially in the times when you feel most tired?
- The time I first gave birth to my child was the most difficult time. I encountered many upheavals when I both lost money and had to take care of my child alone. At that time, I struggled to find a way to live for the road ahead and felt that life was so wrong. But thanks to my family, friends by my side and especially looking at my child's innocent eyes and babbling voice, I had more motivation to move forward.
As a single mother, I have to shoulder both roles, both being a mother and a father, both earning money and taking care of my child, so there is almost no time for myself. The cycle just goes around, going to work is just hoping to quickly return to my child. Although tired, I have never thought about giving up because I have no choice but to move forward.
After a busy year 2025 with many achievements, how do you plan to celebrate this Lunar New Year?
- 2025 for me is a year of rebuilding the "foundation" after major upheavals. I am proud that I have made a lot of effort and achieved achievements such as the Gold Medal at the National Theater Festival for the image of the People's Police soldier, the role of My Trinh in the movie "Lan ranh" and the role of Mai Huong in the play "Nam Dong Military Region" at the Youth Theater.
This Tet, I plan to spend more time with my family and children. I want to travel to rest and regenerate energy before entering 2026. I am a person who really likes cooking, often cooking traditional dishes such as bamboo shoot soup, stir-frying every Tet. The moment I like the most is New Year's Eve, the whole family gathers together to watch television, watch fireworks and sip glasses of wine to confide. I like a Tet that intersects tradition and modernity, where adults are not too hard-working or worried but can actually rest.
What do you wish for yourself and your career in the new year 2026? What kind of female role model is the destination that you are aiming for?
- Next New Year's Eve, I would wish that in 2026 I would receive more roles with more personalities, not being stained with one color or nailed to the role of "little three". I hope to try my hand at the role of wife, mother, or a female lead in love.
At this time, I am no longer dreamy like when I was a teenager. I just want to become a woman of the family, have a peaceful life and know enough. I always believe in love, but now, I choose more carefully. Everything I do, I think about my children and family first.
Happiness for me at this time is peace, not too competitive and not having to depend on or look at anyone's eyes to live. I will continue to strive for my career, as well as dedicate all my love to my children and parents.
It's a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit.
