Bang Chau: From famous singer to silver screen star, worthy of the title of Beauty of the Western Capital

Famous singer Bang Chau's real name is Nguyen Thi Xuan Mai, born in 1950 in Ba Ria - Vung Tau province but grew up in Can Tho. The stage name Bang Chau was given to her by herself when she first started her career.

From sweet voice

She studied literature so she wanted to choose a meaningful name and Bang Chau means "cold gem". This name has followed her since she started her career until now, and is loved by countless audiences.

Since childhood, Bang Chau has loved singing and studied music at school since the 6th grade. After that, she participated in singing programs for soldiers and was lucky enough to meet famous artists in the music industry.

During this time, art troupes also frequently came to Can Tho to perform. During these art exchanges, Bang Chau had the chance to meet a singer in the troupe named Tuyet Nhung. Singer Tuyet Nhung recognized Bang Chau's talent and suggested that she go to Saigon to develop her singing ability to the fullest. In 1969, while in the second grade (grade 11), Bang Chau dropped out of school and went to Saigon to seek career opportunities.

"At that time, many famous artists came to Can Tho such as: Tham Thuy Hang, Thanh Tuyen, Nhat Truong... I saw that Tham Thuy Hang was so beautiful in real life, as beautiful as a fairy, admired by so many people. Every time Tham Thuy Hang came to Can Tho, so many people ran after her just to see her, they felt so happy. I looked at her and was so fascinated, admired her so much, and also got to travel here and there, so I dreamed of being like her. That was one of the motivations that made me want to follow the path of music", famous singer Bang Chau shared.

After Bang Chau went to Saigon, singer Tuyet Nhung took her to meet famous musicians there, including 3 musicians: Duy Khanh, Khanh Bang and Chau Ky. And these were also the first 3 musicians who supported Bang Chau in the early steps of her career.

The first person to help Bang Chau was musician Duy Khanh, who was also the teacher who supported her a lot. However, the first time Bang Chau appeared in a music program was "Tieng Thuy Duong" by musician Chau Ky with the song "Nho Nhau Hoai" by musician Anh Viet Thu. The voice of a female singer in her early twenties conquered a large audience at that time.

But it was not until a while later, with the song "Qua con me" by Trinh Lam Ngan recorded on Duy Khanh's Truong Son music tape, that the name Bang Chau took flight to become a prominent name in the early 1970s. The famous singer said that this song left a mark on her name until today, that is, 50 years after she sang "Qua con me".

Actually, the first person to record this song was Duy Khanh on a vinyl record, then Bang Chau recorded it on a reel-to-reel tape. From then on, "Qua con me" with Bang Chau's voice became a phenomenon throughout the South. On the radio stations in Saigon, from morning to night, any station you turn on will play this recording.

After that, Bang Chau also had a short-lived love affair with musician Duy Khanh. The famous singer revealed: "At that time, famous singer Duy Khanh was a very flirtatious person, good to his friends, always willing to play, giving his all, not regretting anything. The only thing is, he was handsome and talented, so many beautiful women pursued him, including me. Maybe that's why our love affair didn't last long. Duy Khanh also wrote me a song that I didn't know, but later Thanh Tuyen told me."

At that time, Bang Chau was known as "The Beauty of Tay Do". Writer Ho Truong An once commented that Bang Chau had a sexy face with a slightly long and elegant nose. Her lips were full, and when her mouth was closed, her lips were more beautiful than when she smiled. Bang Chau's voice was soft and sweet. Her advantage was that she could spread her breath everywhere.

"Bang Chau's sad singing voice, accompanied by the sweet scent of moon flowers, spreads throughout the house from the time the night lights are turned on until the windows are closed and the lights in the boudoir are turned off. That is when the scents of areca, grapefruit and jasmine take turns spreading in the night mist and in the thin, gentle breezes," writer Ho Truong An once said.

To the silver screen star

In 1971, director Le Dan searched for the female lead Tran Thi Diem Chau for the film of the same name adapted from the novel "Chau Kool" by writer Duyen Anh. He searched for many female cai luong artists, female movie stars, and female singers to find someone who could play a multifaceted character, from an innocent young girl to a street woman like the character Diem Chau nicknamed Chau Kool in the novel, but none of them were suitable. Finally, he met Bang Chau.

Director Le Dan once said that he saw Bang Chau's appearance in a musical television series, so he invited her to audition and immediately cast her as the female lead in the film "Tran Thi Diem Chau". As if by fate, when meeting Diem Chau in the film, Bang Chau in real life transformed both body and soul into the character.

"This was a surprise when I first introduced Bang Chau to the film crew. Because at first glance, this singer who had only appeared a few times on television, everyone recognized in Bang Chau the gentleness of a "provincial" girl who had just come to the city, and could not think that she would be able to play the fierce role of a wandering queen in the later part of the film. But after the first meeting, chatting comfortably to get to know Bang Chau, practicing with her to act out a very intense part of the script and feeling her sensitivity, I trusted her and decided to choose her for the film," director Le Dan once said.

According to director Le Dan, Bang Chau is a mixture of 3 different types of people. When playing the role of Diem Chau, a schoolgirl, she appears innocent and pure and acts very naturally. When playing the role of Diem Chau, a passionate woman, she portrays a very sexy and passionate person. When playing the role of Diem Chau, a queen, she portrays a fierce and iron-like appearance.

Bang Chau has successfully completed her first role in her career. The movie "Tran Thi Diem Chau" was just shown in Saigon and Bang Chau's name immediately made a big impression on the city's youth.

"Thanks to such a favorable "entry", cinema opened its arms to welcome "The Beauty of the Western Capital". Bang Chau was invited to appear in many other films and from then on became more prominent in the film industry", director Le Dan once said.

Indeed, from her first success in this film industry, Bang Chau was invited to appear in many other films such as: "Farewell Summer Love", "My School", "4 Sailors Afraid of Ghosts", "5 Clown Kings Return to the Village"...

After 1975, famous singer Bang Chau continued her musical and film activities, and in September 1979, she immigrated to the United States and collaborated with many overseas record centers. In addition to singing, Bang Chau is also a popular MC and television and radio announcer overseas.

Sharing about his private life, the famous singer said: "However, no one has everything in this life. God gave me quick fame but my life also had many storms in love, not peaceful. My life is very drifting and wandering but few people know. Anyone who sees me thinks I am very happy because I always go out neatly, dressed from head to neck, if I am not neatly dressed I do not go out. Dressing beautifully is to respect myself, then to show my fans that I admire".

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