No, I'm useless as a singer!

- Many people use the word "fulfillment" to describe Thu Minh. She has a career, a family, and a fulfilling life. Looking back on the journey she has taken, what do you think?

I found it fun and interesting. The journey is a colorful picture that I am proud of. I am grateful to have lived and been given such a life.

Many times I think, if I don't sing, Thu Minh is nobody because she is useless. I am not a good housewife because I can't cook well, I'm not good at cleaning. I'm not even good at being a mother. Many people like to invest and do business, but for me it's a complete zero.

Luckily, what I love to do and am capable of doing well, even very well, is singing.

- Do compliments, criticisms or negative words still affect you?

Regardless of how much or how little impact a story has, it's up to me. If I care about it, it will automatically become more, but ignoring it is nothing.

I chose the second option because life is like that. Everything in life has to have a negative side, only then is it normal, otherwise it would be abnormal. (laughs)

As an artist, I have to read and listen to what people say about me, whether it is praise, love, criticism, or contempt. If there were no audience, even if I wanted to sit in my current position, no one would recognize me. Fame, money, or the abundance that people say about me all come from the public.

- You are famous for your showy singing style with high notes and a harsh voice, but at the same time you have been involved in controversy for many years. What do you think now about changing to please the majority or still maintaining your own ego?

Let me try to make this comparison: 1000 audiences commented that 'Thu Minh sings badly', 'Singing is tiring'... Besides, in the recent Ho Do music night, there were 50,000 audiences cheering and screaming for each of my performances. So in the end, those 1000 comments are just personal opinions, and I respect that.

I learned my style from black American singers, especially diva Whitney Houston. I wanted to bring that fierce, fiery quality into my music. Every choice was controversial. However, I still kept my own style because it was in my blood.

It takes a singer years to build a career. At this point, I am not foolish enough to change or lose my own color. I have always been straightforward and decisive in life and music, and I still am.

However, I will always listen to sincere comments. I want to continue to improve myself to gain more satisfaction and love from the audience.

- Your frankness must have been an obstacle for you in your career?

Yes! A lot more. So I told myself to be more restrained. I need to be careful with my words and actions. But no matter what, I can't change myself, I'm still me.

Part of my honesty is my philosophy of life since I was young. Whenever I interact with someone, the energy and emotions I transmit to them are real. When I open up and be sincere with the person I am talking to, they also bring back similar emotions and energy. I am glad that I am living my true self, without being fake or embellishing.

- You look full of energy, how is life when faced with negativity?

Of course I have my own sadness or bitterness. Life is like that, there must be this and that, but when you overcome it, it is a taste. I see everything that happens in life as a steering wheel to balance it. I have to thank life because up to now I am still at peace after receiving many lessons.

I am a lucky wife

- For many singers, after reaching the top, there are usually two paths to choose from: find another peak, or accept to step down and accept their position. What about you now?

Now I only look for mountain peaks with beautiful scenery, fragrant flowers and strange grasses, otherwise I will go somewhere else. A leisurely stroll is sometimes better than competing for position.

At this age, I no longer live for myself but for my family. If I keep on searching for fame, it will put a lot of pressure on my husband and children.

Since getting married and having children, I have lowered my ego a lot. I feel more positive energy, not thinking too far from reality like before. This change is necessary and suitable for a woman in her 50s at this time.

- Many people still wonder why she accepted to publicly reveal her son's face on stage with 50,000 spectators, while she had fiercely hidden her son for many years...

Everyone has a different perspective on motherhood. Personally, I want to protect my son throughout his childhood until he feels he is old enough and understands things.

Before, my son could only watch from afar when I performed with him. He used to wonder why he couldn’t stand next to me or take pictures with me. Gau (Thu Minh’s son) felt curious and even resentful of his mother’s work.

When I saw that the baby was old enough, I talked to my husband about making the baby public. At first, my husband objected, but after listening to my explanation, he agreed.

Choosing to bring Gau to the Ho Do stage is a special Christmas gift I want to give my child. I hope he will have memorable memories, as well as understand the nature of his mother's work and emotions every time he stands on stage.

The moment Bear stepped onto the stage, introduced himself and said "Thank you everyone for supporting my mother" , I was really choked up.

- After more than a decade together, you and your businessman husband - Otto are still in love. Is it difficult to maintain a marriage with a woman with a strong personality like Thu Minh?

I am a lucky wife. Otto is always busy with work, meetings and when he is free, the first person he thinks of is his wife and children. I appreciate him for his sympathy, understanding and maximum support.

When I hesitated about returning to singing, he was the one who encouraged me. Otto also took the initiative to take care of my son so that I could return home to perform more often.

Obviously, we are not always the same. We often "fight" because we are both hot-tempered, so we say things right away, without hiding anything. My husband and I choose to resolve things quickly, unite and look in the same direction, so in the end, everything is smooth.

For more than 10 years together, he is a friend, a teacher, a confidant who is always a support and wholeheartedly supports his wife. Besides the economic aspect, everything he brings from his behavior, work to life makes me respect him. I often joke with people that ' Thu Minh's husband is a torch bearer who cannot find a second person' .