Housekeeper-turned-singer Nhat Kim Anh.

You’d never guess by looking, but the stunning 23-year-old with a voice like an angel was once a simple housemaid.

In just eight years, Nhat Kim Anh, formerly known as Phan Kim Hue city, has accomplished the unthinkable.

The young beauty has not only climbed her way out of poverty and a life of hardship, but she has attained the kind of fame that most only dream of.

In an interview with Thanh Nien Daily, Anh shares the story of how she turned adversity into stardom.

Thanh Nien Daily: How has your life changed since you left for the big city?

Nhat Kim Anh: Until now, I felt like I was in a dream. I left the countryside of northern central Thanh Hoa Province with my family for the southern beach city of Vung Tau in 1992. We were robbed of almost everything we had during that trip to the south.

My father died of tuberculosis a year later leaving his wife and four children to starve. In addition, my mother and elder brother both suffered from serious diseases.

At the age of 12, my day began at 5:00 a.m. with manual work in the neighborhood and didn’t finish until 5:00 p.m. I did anything possible to save our lives until I followed my elder sister to Saigon where I ended up working as a housemaid for a music lecturer.

It was at that point my life finally changed for the better.

I very much loved the lyrics the house lady sang everyday. So I convinced her to teach me 30 minutes each day instead of paying me for my work.

My singing career started when I was 16 after I was introduced to the entertainment scene including MTV, Trong Dong, and Diem Hen Saigon.

Many other girls staring out in the entertainment industry rely on a “sponsor” or wealthy individual to fund their activities. Is this the case for you?

To tell the truth, I have received propositions from some tycoons and companies. I know one can become well-known with assistance and sponsorship. But I don’t want to depend on any unreasonable conditions relating to finance or romantic affairs.

However, if I had had someone supporting me, I would not have had to sell an expensive Honda motorbike and spend all my savings to produce my second album Lau dai cat (Castles in the air).

Many of the songs on Lau dai cat fall into the same style category as your competitors. Do you have any plans to vary your sound on upcoming albums?

I want to be more popular among young audiences so therefore, my 2nd album targets teens rather than adults who are more critical. Some of my songs like Loi yeu (Love words) and Xin hay tin nhau (Please believe in one another) have become hits with the youth. I take an R&B approach so my style at the moment is sexy and dynamic.

With my third album – to be released next year – audiences will see me in a new light. I am no long a teenager but a mature woman. I am also working with famous writers like Hoai An and Huy Tuan.

How would you characterize your road to success over the past eight years?

Compared to many singers my age, I know I have yet to reach what is called “success.” There have been some times when life got tough. I used to feel very exhausted and thought of quitting the stage. But then I would tell myself I must not stop. I love singing.

Many compare you to the popular singer Ho Ngoc Ha. How do you feel about this comparison?

In my heart of hearts, I don’t want to be compared with any other people. But I do feel flattered that I am compared with the hottest singer of the moment.

I began my career even earlier than Ha who was a supermodel at the time. Nevertheless, we come from different backgrounds and she had more favorable conditions than I did to become a star so quickly.

I have been supporting my poor family and it’s been hard to pursue any professional training classes or afford expensive clothes. I have no better way than to keep trying and I believe my efforts are well worth the trouble.

You used to appear in at least four popular TV series like Nu bac si (Female doctors) and 390^o Yeu (390^o Love). Are you targeting the movie scene next?

I have grabbed at some opportunities but it takes time to really develop characters and to learn to act better.

I never forget that singing helped change my life from a housemaid to a star. And movies are another aspect that may help me grow as a performer. I am still waiting for the role of my life.

Reported by Hong Luu