Phi Phung plays a dwarf in the children’s play “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”

For some performers, it’s what’s on the inside that makes them popular with audiences.

Their family, friends and even teachers strongly advised them against following their chosen career. The artists sometimes considered quitting but their perseverance finally paid dividends.

Comedians Truong Hung Minh and Hong Quang Minh, actors Kim Huyen and Ngoc Giau and actor-director Thai Hoa are just some of the less-than-stunning performers who have won the hearts of audiences in recent years.

Truong Hung Minh, who is known by his stage name Minh Nhi (Little Minh), was told to pursue another career when he tried to get into the Ho Chi Minh City College of Theater and Cinema, according to late Meritorious Artist Van Thanh, who used to be a lecturer at the college.

Thanh said he looked at Minh and - seeing his small build, bulbous nose and older-than-age looks - advised him to give up.

Minh replied he had his heart set on drama and wouldn’t mind hardship.

The skills he displayed during the gripping short play in his exam convinced the jurors of his potential.

After graduation, Minh quickly became one of the most popular comedians in southern Vietnam.

Diminutive dramatic actress Kim Huyen also had a difficult career because of her size and unstriking facial features.

She resolved to pursue the performing career despite objections from her family. For the past 10 years, she mostly played humble roles such as children, old women or maids and was rarely chosen for well-dressed, happy characters.

There were times Huyen felt sad and considered quitting the industry. She earned university degrees in English and Japanese to prepare for another job if she left the stage.

But her efforts finally paid off. Her role as a little girl haunted by her mother’s ghost in the hugely popular thriller play Nguoi vo ma (The ghost wife) received instant acclaim at its premiere in 2006.

Her skillful portrayal of a tormented elderly mother in the play Nuoc mat nguoi dien (Tears of the insane) also won rave reviews.

These are complex, difficult characters which not every beautiful actress can play.

Minh Beo (Fat Minh), whose real name is Hong Quang Minh, is also another popular comedian who was not blessed with good looks.

With a round, innocent face and a huge body, the 31-year-old is well known for playing daft characters and children.

“I used to have a well-proportioned body until I suddenly gained a lot of weight. I was so sad and embarrassed and afraid that I might have to give up acting,” Minh said.

“But I soon regained confidence and decided to take advantage of my size to become a comedian.”

His physical unattractiveness is compensated by his great comic skills and sweet singing voice.

Actor-director Thai Hoa, whose thriller plays Nguoi vo ma (The ghost wife) and Qua tim mau (The bloody heart) are smash-hits, recalled failing the entrance exams to the HCMC College of Theater and Cinema twice and having to enroll in the school’s supplementary section.

“My short plays were well received by the jurors, so I kept asking why I failed. Finally one of my teachers told me the reason for my failure was that I was so ugly, thin and had a dark complexion.”

Dramatic actress Phi Phung, a daughter of late comedian Phi Thoan, is optimistic and self-confident despite her rather plain features.

“All my brothers and sisters are tall like my Dad, I’m the only one who’s short and fat,” she said.

Her acting career began when she replaced an actress in the play Co lai xe va chiec binh co (The female driver and the antique vase) and left audiences in stitches.

“Of course I’m now older and even less attractive, but my acting is more mature and I get many more parts,” Phung said.

Some of her fans think she should have cosmetic surgery but Phung doesn’t want to undergo a painful operation.

“I just leave things the way they are and I’ll look okay when I get old,” she said. “Cosmetic operations can make people look terrible when they are older. I rarely apply cosmetics – forget surgery.”

Meritorious Artist Ngoc Giau, a veteran cai luong and dramatic actress, is also another success story though she is not considered good looking.

To make up for her small, thin body, Giau is blessed with a beautiful singing voice.

By the time she was 12, she had a recording career. She became the lead actress for Kim Chuong Cai Luong Troupe when she was 14 and Thanh Minh -Thanh Nga Cai Luong Troupe two years later.

Her charisma, haunting voice, outstanding acting skills and rigorous training are the secrets to her success.

After more than 40 years in the industry, she has played the lead in more than 100 cai luong plays, 50 drama plays and dozens of films.

“It’s a great blessing for the artists who are endowed with good looks and a beautiful singing voice. But those who aren’t that lucky should make the most of their other strengths,” said People’s Artist Diep Lang.

“A gifted artist not only needs a beautiful singing voice but also knows how to inject their feelings into the roles and portray all the intricate psychological twists. Likewise, beauty isn’t restricted to physical attractiveness, a beautiful artist is the one that can accentuate their character’s beauty and soul,” the cai luong (traditional southern folk opera) veteran artist added.

Lang said some handsome or beautiful actors with beautiful voices could not strike a chord with audiences because they lacked charisma.

Reported by Hoang Kim