Phuong Ly – A Versatile and Colorful Singer

Singer Phuong Ly — best known for her hit "Mat Troi Cua Em" ("You Are My Sun") — showcased her versatility by performing various genres, including pop, EDM, and hat boi (Vietnamese classical opera) at the show "Em Xinh Say Hi".

After the episode aired on July 12, Phuong Ly (third from the right) ranked among the top three contestants with the highest volume of online discussions and engagement, according to data from a digital analytics firm.

Alongside Vu Thao My, Muoi, and Chau Bui (from left to right), she performed the song "So Dam" (written by Kai Dinh) in a house music style. For the first time, Phuong Ly took on the role of team leader in Live Stage 3. She showed fierce competitive spirit, implemented smart strategies to secure strong songs, and laid out clear training plans to connect and support her team members.

Phuong Ly showcased her dance sport skills during the Dance Battle round in Episode 8, which aired on July 19. Her performance earned praise from the judges and secured a victory for her team.

The performance has garnered nearly two million views and currently ranks sixth on YouTube's trending music chart.

Phuong Ly and her teammates came up with the idea to combine singing and dancing, creating an energetic atmosphere while delivering a message of female empowerment. Before the show, the singer stated that she was "willing to spend twice as much as others" to invest in her performance.

Over eight episodes, Phuong Ly has showcased a vibrant and multifaceted image both on stage and behind the scenes. In the first round, she performed "Em Xinh, Em Bling" (by REDT) in a blend of pop, dance, and EDM alongside Phao, Juky San, Chi Xe, and Hoang Duyen. Their performance received a standing ovation from all the teams, who praised the group for their fiery and energetic stage presence.

In Live Stage 2, Phuong Ly joined Phuong My Chi, Phao, and Chi Xe to perform "Hề" (composed by Hoang Thong), blending traditional and modern musical styles. The performance received overwhelming support from the audience, amassing nearly 10 million views and reaching No. 2 on YouTube’s trending music chart just days after its release.

For this performance, Phuong Ly took on hat boi (Vietnamese classical opera) for the first time. She consulted with traditional opera artist Ngoc Khanh and attended online vocal training sessions with members of the Vietnam Tuong Theater to ensure authenticity in vocal technique, diction, breath control, and physical movement.

Among the 30 contestants of this season, Phuong Ly is one of the more seasoned artists, with many years of experience in the industry. She shared that age is not a barrier in the competition. Through various activities, Phuong Ly said she feels a strong sense of connection with the younger faces in the show.

Phuong Ly also expresses a youthful image through her colorful fashion sense, often mixing and matching a variety of accessories.

The singer was widely praised for her “age-defying” look, wearing Y2K-inspired outfits during her performance of "Da Xinh Lai Con Thong Minh" in the opening round.

After more than 10 years in the music industry, Phuong Ly decided to join the reality show to gain new experiences. She said she is open to learning from Gen Z artists to improve the skills she feels she is still lacking. “Through the show, I’ve found a lot of freshness and space to be creatively free,” she shared.

Phuong Ly, 35, is the younger sister of singer Phuong Linh. She rose to fame with the hit “Mat Troi Cua Em” (“You Are My Sun”), released in 2017 in collaboration with rapper JustaTee. The Thanh Hoa-born singer was once nominated for the Dedication Music Awards with the song “Thang Dien” (“The Madman”), released in 2019. Her other successful tracks include “Anh La Ai” (“Who Are You”), “Missing You”, and “Anh La Ngoai Le Cua Em” (“You Are My Exception”). In addition to singing, Phuong Ly is also a model and a brand ambassador for several labels, including Chanel.

The show Em Xinh Say Hi aims to discover a new generation of female idols for Vietnam’s music scene. Airing since late May, the 14-episode series is expected to conclude in August. Contestants are divided into alliances and face off through group performances. Music director JustaTee (a.k.a. Jessica Thanh Tu) and a team of more than 20 producers and songwriters are in charge of creating new original tracks for the contestants. The show is produced by the same team behind the successful reality series Anh Trai Say Hi that aired in mid-2024.

Tan Cao

Photos and videos: Provided by the artist and the organizing committee