With the Vietnamese Esports community, the name Phuong Thao has become a familiar and beloved symbol. Endearingly referred to as the hottest MC of Liên Quân Mobile, Phuong Thao captivates audiences not only with her radiant beauty, expressive voice, and professional hosting skills but also with her deep understanding of the game. She has garnered admiration from a large number of domestic fans and even the international community after her outstanding performances at various tournaments.
However, behind the glow of fame and praise, Phuong Thao frequently faces a sad reality: criticism and disparagement from a portion of domestic viewers. This is an issue she has openly expressed disappointment and concern about, reflecting a troubling aspect of current online community culture.
From International Fan Admiration to Domestic Criticism
There’s no denying Phuong Thao’s appeal on the international stage. In major Liên Quân Mobile tournaments, the image of the Vietnamese MC, gracefully and confidently appearing on stage, has received countless compliments from the international gaming community.
They admire her beauty, professional demeanor, and ability to energize the atmosphere. Many comments in English, Thai, Indonesian, etc., praise Phuong Thao as “the most beautiful MC,” “the goddess of Liên Quân,” or even express a desire to see her appear more in international events. This demonstrates the influence and goodwill Phuong Thao has built, transcending Vietnam’s borders.
However, in stark contrast to the warm affection from international friends, Phuong Thao sometimes has to endure harsh words from her own fellow countrymen. She has spoken out several times about being criticized and scrutinized for her appearance, even facing malicious and baseless comments regarding her professional abilities. This creates a sad paradox: a talent recognized and adored internationally must bear pressure from her own supporters at home.
In her most recent event – APL 2025, this hot girl was also not spared. Sharing her thoughts, Phuong Thao wrote:
“Every international season, when standing next to my 1.8m tall beautiful colleagues, I read a lot of ‘Samsung body’ comments about my small height and chubby figure. Most of it comes from a segment of Vietnamese men, even spilling over to foreign channels to gloat and criticize the only Vietnamese girl in the picture, comments like: ‘She looks really inferior, if she takes off her shoes she might just reach their ears, go home and have babies, she looks too sloppy,’… These words I once wished they wouldn’t say to me anymore.
But honestly, I have gone through this for the sixth year now, regularly every day, to the point where I have become familiar with the comment phrases of such audiences. I have also experienced depression, wanted to give up, thought the stage wasn’t meant for me. I even worked hard in the gym for 2 hours daily to get in shape, to become the best version of myself, only to realize those remarks still didn’t go away :)) It wasn’t until then that I understood, I couldn’t change others, I could only change my perspective on the issue, and from then on, I never worked just to ‘please everyone.'”
The Sad State of a Segment of the Online Community
Many people exploit the anonymity of social media to make negative, personally offensive comments without accountability. They easily throw out criticism about anything, from appearance, clothing to the voice, gestures of others. Phuong Thao, as a public figure, naturally becomes a “target” for such comments.
Especially for female MCs and hot girls, they often face harsh evaluations about their appearance. Instead of focusing on the contributions and talents of public figures, some people seek to nitpick and scrutinize minor flaws. This shows a lack of respect for the effort and hard work of those in the profession, as well as a lack of empathy for the pressures they endure.
The Heartfelt Thoughts of a Professional
In this share, Phuong Thao expressed:
“More than anyone, I deeply understand my own value and strengths, striving to cultivate a strong voice, a sharp mind, and a steel spirit to compensate for my shortcomings. But this effort is not to change the prejudices of those who dislike me. I only fight for my vision and dreams, and out of gratitude for the audiences who always support and love a small Phuong Thao who is burning brightly on stage with them. I know exactly why I have been here for the past 6 years and what I am dedicating myself to.
Another season closes, and I am still here.
Completing my duties, standing next to my beloved colleagues with a carefree smile, still in my 12cm shoes and having to tiptoe for pictures as usual.
In the end, I would like to share this quote to answer the first question: Confidence is not walking into a room thinking you are better than anyone there, but not feeling the need to compare yourself to anyone.”
Phuong Thao’s issue is not just her own story but also a wake-up call about online behavior culture. A strong community needs not only a large number of members but also civility and mutual respect. Being loved by international fans is a pride, but being criticized by one’s own compatriots is a deep pain and concern.
Phuong Thao is a testament to the fact that talent and effort are always recognized, even when facing difficulties. Hopefully, her story will contribute to building a civilized, positive, and respectful online community in Vietnam.