Siu Black performs onstage

After 20 years of singing onstage, the vivacious Siu Black is enjoying her new role as a judge on Vietnam Idol

Singer Siu Black has been mesmerizing audiences with her powerful, resonant voice and dynamic performances for the past two decades.

The talented artist last year took on a new position as a judge on Vietnam Idol, one of Vietnam’s most popular music competitions.

Siu brings humor and honesty to the panel and says the job involves more than just judging contestants.

“There were contestants who were too nervous to speak, let alone sing. A judge’s job is thus not only to give good comments but also to help them relax. In this aspect I think I’ve done quite a good job,” Siu says.

“A judge must also remain impartial and think twice before saying anything in order not to hurt contestants’ feelings and upset audiences,” she adds.

This year’s contestants are equally talented, she says, and prominent contenders will be selected during the competition’s Gala Round from November 12 to January 7.

Siu watched American Idol, one of the most popular shows on US television, even before the Vietnamese version was launched.

“I know what I should learn from them and what I shouldn’t,” she says. “The Vietnamese don’t approve of overly straightforward remarks like Americans.

“However, we have to accept some facts. For example, last year, I didn’t feel comfortable when I eliminated a contestant. But now I think differently. This is a competition and there are winners and losers.

“Some are so confident about their singing voice they pay scant attention to choosing suitable songs, which is a serious mistake. This is a competition and they don’t have a second chance.

“Besides, the viewers, most of whom are teenagers, vote for their favorite singers, so if a contestant doesn’t choose a suitable song or style, they will likely fail.”

Siu also makes predictions about who the winners will be and calls on viewers to be mindful of voting for singers with real talent as opposed to just being attractive.

She correctly predicted that Phuong Vy would win the 2007 Vietnam Idol.

“I always try to give objective, well-founded comments so that viewers can make a wise decision,” she says.

“As the judges do not decide the winners but rather the viewers, I was sometimes upset by the results. But I want to be involved in the search for the country’s talented singers. My presence on the panel can at least bolster contestants’ confidence, especially for those who want to prove they can achieve fame without being good looking,” Siu adds.

Siu released her debut album Ly ca phe Ban Me (Cup of Ban Me coffee) in 1999, which was warmly received by critics and fans alike.

She went on to release Ru ta ngam ngui (Lulling me in sorrow) in 2000, a collection of pop and rock songs, which was also highly acclaimed.

Siu came out with her third album Mat troi trong Siu (The sun in Siu) early last year, which won the Golden Album prize in July at the 2007 Bai hat Viet (Vietnamese songs) awards.

But despite her status as one of the country’s most popular singers, Black refuses to call herself a diva.

“I don’t dare to call myself a diva or let anyone use that term for me,” she says. “In other countries, a singer must make major contributions to the local and world music scene and win a Grammy award – the highest music honor bestowed on a singer – in order to earn the title of ‘diva.’

“Whether Vietnam’s fledgling music industry deserves a diva remains a question. In fact, I’ll feel ashamed if someone calls me a diva,” she adds.

The 41-year-old singer has also acted in several films.

She played a boisterous mother in the TV series Giot dang (Bitter drops) directed by Dinh Duc Liem in 2006.

She went on to play a teacher in the romantic comedy Giai cuu Than Chet (Rescue the Grim Reaper), the sequel to the blockbuster film Nu hon Than Chet (Kiss of the Death), directed by Nguyen Quang Dung.

Siu also hosts the comedy show Nhat ky khong do (The 0O Diary) on Ho Chi Minh Television’s HTV9 channel.

By DIEM THU