Le Kieu Nhu is none too shy about her study

Miss Mouse no more, Le Kieu Nhu is looking to blow the public away with a set of nude photos and a raunchy debut novel.

The actress, singer and now author is finalizing her total revamp by posting nude pics of herself on the internet and publishing a sexually explicit novel based on a true story. She’s certainly in step with the times as many minor celebrities have been exposing their undressed bodies on the web recently, but Nhu seems to be more level-headed about it than most.

“I realize that being sexy isn’t enough by itself as far as a career goes,” said Nhu, who takes great pride in her own figure.

Nhu, who first gained notoriety for her nude scenes in Chuong reo la ban (Fire when the bell tolls) two years ago, is currently playing a kept woman in the drama series Buoc chan hoan vu (Steps to paradise).

“Being physically attractive leads nowhere if it’s not accompanied by intelligence and hard work. A catchy look and a smart mind are what a woman needs if she wants to get ahead.”

“Not everyone is attractive in the nude,” she said by way of understatement.

“They must have the right figure and shouldn’t look on nudity as a fad. Nude photos are beautiful and not obscene if they accentuate attractive women’s bodies.

“Sexiness can be noticed even in a demurely dressed woman and doesn’t necessarily mean being scantily clad.”

By her definition, the ideal body has a long neck, small waist, and full breasts and buttocks, so she fills the bill admirably.

“Women’s sexiness is boundless. Merely a look, or the lips or fingers, can attract a man. Some women can do it simply by parting their lips slightly. Sexiness must show on the outside but it should be subtle.”

Nhu’s creative side could be regarded as counter-effective.

“An artist receives both compliments and criticism. I work hard and take advantage of all my abilities, so there’s nothing I should be afraid of.

“I’m not reckless. I do a lot of thinking before I set out to do something. We Vietnamese know where to draw the line,” Nhu said.

Her debut novel Soi xich (chain) took more than a year to write and is based on the real tragedy of a young couple who lived near Nhu’s childhood home.

Nhu has been obsessed with their story since she was eight.

The husband was rendered impotent by an accident. In desperation, his wife started having it off with another man but became so torn between her sexual desire and her sense of guilt that she ended up committing suicide.

Nhu’s novel, which was composed mostly after midnight, has surprised her family and friends.

It’s not easy for a young artist like Nhu to portray the intricate twists of a woman’s mind.

“I’ve been in love several times and deeply understand sexual desire. I have quite a lot of experience in life,” she said.

“Having written the book, I fear for weak women who are obsessed by their sexual cravings.”

With one novel behind her, the versatile beauty has started writing two more, but thrillers this time.

“It’s not a ploy to gain popularity. I want everyone to recognize me as a sexy, understanding, knowledgeable woman,” she said emphatically.

Nhu was born in 1983 in Can Tho City in the Mekong Delta and won a prize in the 1999 Can Tho Television Singing Competition.

She moved to Ho Chi Minh City in 2003, worked for Vietnam Airlines for a time, and won her second singing prize in Vietnam Television’s My Favorite Songs contest in 2005.

Despite having the successful songwriter Nguyen Nhat Huy for a boyfriend, Nhu’s singing career hasn’t taken off and the all-important hit song continues to elude her.

“Huy and I made an album together but my voice isn’t suitable for most of his songs. Still, we intend to do more musical projects together in the coming time,” she said.

Her other albums include Giac mong (dream), which was also released in Japan, a collection of love ballads, and a self-titled album about grief and heartache.

Reported by Thu Thuy