Interview By : Pham Chieu
Than Thuy Ha rose from an impoverished childhood to success. She’s not shy about her background and she’s as straightforward and hot-tempered as a man. Through her stories, she shares her stories love, marriage and children. Ha’s life’s been an emotional rollercoaster, but she’s managed to settle down with a three-year-old son, Duy Anh.
Interviewer: Would you call yourself a model who acts? Or an actress who models?
TTH: My catwalk days belong to the past. I was striding along the stage since 16 years old. Ten years have passed and I think I have enjoyed the ups and downs in modeling career. Actually, I’m not an ambitious kind of woman. Everything came naturally to me. I just happened to take part in a beauty contest, just happened to get a prize, and happened to be a model without any qualifications. The same thing goes for my movies. When I got the first offer in a movie, I was scared to death. I was staying awake for the whole night and finally made an apology phone call to the director at four o’clock in the morning because I felt afraid of doing something beyond my abilities. Afterward, when I become more confident and I’d performed in many movies and roles, I’ve developed such deep love for my colleagues in every project. It’s like a second family where I have a chance of trying different lives. It’s a counterpoint to the catwalk, only surrounded by solitary. Therefore, now I’m an actress.
Interviewer: Do you feel lucky that you got opportunities when so many struggle with their basic needs?
TTH: Good fortune is essential, but it only brings the chances. I am the one who take chances. When working, I am serious and devoted. I always think that once you love your career, you will be treated with favor. Or I can say what I have today is from my own efforts.
Interviewer: Have you ever been stuck in your character?
TTH: Never. I am not too sensitive or a dreamer. I confront the reality while movie career is another exciting experience into diversified lives and characters. It’s a must to distinguish movies and reality. When the director says “Cut” then I’m so done, back to basic Than Thuy Ha.
Interviewer: So people can think that you don’t see your career as a passion but a means of living because you can handle it so easily?
TTH: It’s undeniable that acting is a source of my income. Honestly, no matter how much money you make, it’s never enough if you don’t know how to balance your spending. People say that I follow a movie career for the money. I only hope that they could evaluate objectively my ability and contribution through the characters I have played.
Interviewer: You have played in different kinds of characters but you seem really get into the skin of women who are sluttish, gold-diggers or who are ruthless and cunning. Don’t you feel afraid that the audience would think “Like author, like book”? How do you respond when getting criticism of your performances?
TTH: I like it when people hate me for when I perform poorly. Nowadays, the audiences are very aware of the fact that the personalities of characters have nothing to do with that of the actress so I’m not afraid. Whenever the movie that I’m in is shown on TV, I often go to the markets to find out people’s feelings and listen to their remarks. Among 10 viewers, if only 6 or 7 like me that’s enough. There are many factors leading to negative responses from the audience: the script, the director, etc.
Interviewer: What kinds of character do you like playing least?
TTH: It’s out of my hands if I am given a job of acting a teenage girl. Besides, I would love to be an old, poor woman; I wouldn’t need to wear much make-up. Dressing up in a movie all the time makes me uncomfortable.
Interviewer: You disappeared for a long time, and then came back with news of a marriage and a divorce. Are you using your private life as an enticement?
TTH: Over the years, my name is not always on top but I have been easy to see. I’m mature enough not to use scandals as an enticement. I have never talked about my husband or my son. I wonder why I can’t show off my son when people keep boasting about only a thousand dollar bag. About my divorce, I need to take control of rumors about me so that my son would not read what people make up about me.
Interviewer: Do you still believe in love and marriage?
TTH: Of course, yes, I’m a woman still. No matter how strong you are, women still need men beside them. I am a devoted lover but once love’s gone, I leave. Therefore I’m not so self-tortured for the break-up. I am ready to welcome new things if they deserve. However, my current life is so peaceful and I want to maintain this with my son.
Interviewer: Thanks for your sharing.
