As a character known by many netizens through extremely hot clips on social media, Hoàng Kim Chi has started to appear more on television as a contestant on the show Who Is That? and as the lead in Who Is That?. Recently, she surprised everyone by becoming a contestant in Miss Grand Vietnam 2022 – a competition to find a successor to Miss Thùy Tiên. Among the list of contestants who passed the preliminary round, Hoàng Kim Chi is one of the beauties who has attracted a lot of attention.
Hello Hoàng Kim Chi, has your life changed a lot after participating in Who Is That? What is your current relationship with Thanh Long like?
My life is still the same, still very stable, and I have new challenges. I am currently still single because I decided to remain friends with Thanh Long.
Kim Chi and Thanh Long decided to remain friends after leaving Who Is That? season 4.
Who Is That? stirred up controversy with its final twist featuring a girlfriend with the same name, causing Kim Chi distress. How did Kim Chi feel at that moment? Was it really as hurtful as people say?
Actually, I wasn’t hurt at all. I was rather happy. Happy to see a couple with a beautiful love story, even happier that it was a girl with the same name as me. Two people with the same name, one in love, one witnessing that beautiful love right in front of her, so I felt very fulfilled.
There are hardly any couples that end up together after Who Is That?, most participants are thought to want to boost their fame?
Before coming to Who Is That?, I was also lucky to have a bit of attention from the community. So, I did not come to the show to boost my fame or anything like that. I simply thought this was a very meaningful show about love. If I got to sit there as the lead, listen to the humorous yet profound sharing of the advisory panel, and see different aspects of love, it would be a memorable experience for me.
Did participating in Who Is That? fit into Hoàng Kim Chi’s plans, seeking fame to prepare for the Miss Grand competition?
I am not someone who calculates too much about the future. Of course, I always have long-term goals in life. But participating in Who Is That? or competing in Miss Grand are experiences that unexpectedly came to me, and I thought it would be very worthwhile if I seized the opportunity.
Recently, the title of hot TikToker has sparked controversy when appearing on television or in beauty competitions. As someone involved, do you feel any heartache?
I think hot TikTokers are looking for opportunities to prove themselves a lot. Personally, to say I don’t feel heartache would be a lie, because no one wants to receive doubt and negative comments when participating in any field. But that makes me think I need to try harder. Hot TikTokers are ambitious and dream-filled young people, and we, like other young people, want to affirm ourselves, want to challenge more to become better versions of ourselves. I want to prove that: Striving to live with dreams and seizing opportunities to shine is nothing wrong. Do everything with all your passion, and people will see your efforts!
What motivates Hoàng Kim Chi to try her hand at Miss Grand? Surely it’s not just the challenges from netizens on TikTok?
That challenge is just a very small part! But since I was young, I have always loved beauty pageants. Later on, I realized that each beauty contest is an opportunity for me to train many skills in life. I want to try my hand at Miss Grand because I want to have the motivation to improve myself, to be more confident, and to overcome my own barriers.
Does Hoàng Kim Chi feel anxious when many strong competitors appear? Which contestant do you consider the most formidable?
My nature is shy, so I feel a bit self-conscious when entering the competition. But I have determined to try 200% when participating in this competition, so I believe that with that hard work, I will bring the best version of Hoàng Kim Chi to the contest. As for formidable opponents, I think I cannot consider myself as a competitor to anyone. I am completely new when entering this field, so everyone is a senior from whom I can learn.
What advantages do you think you have over many other candidates? What have you prepared to enter this beauty race?
I have nothing but hard work and a positive, optimistic spirit. Because everything is completely new, I have to learn almost all skills from the beginning. I am trying to prepare everything meticulously, from catwalk, posture, physique to knowledge.
Everyone says that competing in beauty pageants is very expensive, is this a concern for you?
Besides being a content creator, I also have my own business. So I am confident that I have a stable economic foundation to participate in the competition. I see this as an opportunity to invest in myself, to invest in skills, to invest in my perspective on life… And if it’s an investment in myself, who would regret that?
Every time you appear on television, how do you feel when netizens always compare your real appearance to your TikTok videos?
It’s probably a bit of joy because people have shown a certain level of attention and curiosity towards the name Hoàng Kim Chi (laughs).
Does participating in the beauty pageant indicate that you are looking to transition from TikToker to a figure in showbiz?
As I have shared, I already have a quite solid foundation with my content creation work. Competing in Miss Grand is a new experience for me to challenge and improve myself more than trying to become someone or achieve a certain accomplishment. I believe I will become a more complete person and a much better version of myself after coming out of this competition. That is the most important thing.
You once shared that you didn’t feel comfortable being secretly filmed by many people. If you become a figure in showbiz, Kim Chi will have to endure this for a long time?
That was in the past. Now, I am aware that I need to be much more polished every time I appear. That will be more motivation for me to always bring the best image in the eyes of everyone.
When news broke that Kim Chi was competing in the beauty pageant, many compared you to Lê Bống or Trần Thanh Tâm. Are you afraid of the surrounding gossip or having to receive many negative comments?
I think: “When you want to succeed, you must know how to focus on your own journey and not let your mind be distracted by outside opinions”. The same goes for this competition; I have determined to focus all my 100% attention and effort on the upcoming journey, so I will try to set aside any gossip or opposing opinions. Of course, I will still observe and listen to sincere opinions and suggestions, because I know that only from there can I know how to adjust myself to become the best.
Every contestant in the beauty pageant wants to convey a message/story to the audience. For Kim Chi, what is that?
I want to bring my positive energy and optimism. I want to tell the story of a girl who always strives to be better than yesterday, who always embraces every surprise and challenge in life with the brightest mindset. I believe that women, in particular, and young people in general, as long as we are always self-reliant both mentally and financially, always love ourselves and strive forward, this life will become a better place, just thanks to individuals who are also striving to improve themselves every day.
If you become Miss and are forced to limit your use of TikTok or create content that does not align with your current goals, what will you do?
The content I currently create for TikTok is aimed at positive and civilized themes, so this will definitely not be a restriction or obstacle for me in the past, present, or future.
Thank you for sharing, Hoàng Kim Chi! Wishing you shine in the upcoming journey!
Photo: NVCC