People's Artist Trong Phuc: U60 goes to the market to cook, has a son, refuses to talk about marriage

Trong Phuc is considered a beautiful couple in the Cai Luong field with a height of 1.8m and masculine appearance. He possesses a deep, inspiring voice and diverse acting abilities. At the age of over 50, the artist is still actively working.

Don't seek money or fame

People's Artist Trong Phuc's real name is Nguyen Thanh Phuc. There were five brothers in the family, their father passed away early, so just after graduating from high school, Trong Phuc - the school's art star - packed his bags and left Dong Thap for Ho Chi Minh City to find a way to settle down and cherish his dream of becoming a singer. But to be able to touch art, he spent a long time working on a barge, working as a laborer on coffee and cashew farms, loading rice at Rach Ong bridge...

Every day after work, Trong Phuc walks from his boarding house at Cho Lon bus station to Ly Chieu Hoang Street (District 6) to study vocal music. Seeing that the student was hard-working and gentle, the music teacher lent him an old bicycle and introduced him to be a "back singer" at the Zoo. That alone made him happy. Trong Phuc's main task at that time was to arrange chairs for the audience. Only when there was a shortage of singers could he sing. The fake suit cost only 100,000 VND and he had to borrow it from everywhere. Not discouraged, Trong Phuc borrowed 500,000 VND to record a single CD with the hope of having the opportunity to introduce his voice. But the debt of 500,000 VND took him a whole year to pay off.

By chance, the Director of Rang Dong Music Center heard Trong Phuc's voice from forgotten CDs and so he was signed.

And the second coincidence was the turning point to create the Trong Phuc double of today's Cai Luong stage. During a European tour, People's Artist Minh Vuong suddenly fell ill. Trong Phuc was "invited" by People's Artist Le Thuy to sing together the neo-classical song Love Story of Lan and Diep and then continued to "try" with the role of Tran Minh. Painted in the excerpt Cold night of the deserted temple. With a sincere, mature but no less soulful voice and a rather delicate way of singing and handling beats, Trong Phuc quickly made a beautiful impression on the audience.

Even though he came to Cai Luong quite late, Trong Phuc was lucky enough to act with many famous artists such as Le Thuy, Thanh Kim Hue, Ngoc Huyen, Thanh Ngan, Thoai My... Even luckier when he doubled his career. "He has in his hands two gold medals and one silver medal at national professional Cai Luong theater festivals and performances. After more than 30 years of acting, Trong Phuc has had a number of bright roles.

In 2023, Trong Phuc is on the list of artists awarded the title People's Artist (People's Artist). He called this a noble reward, a proud recognition of the State and the public for his musical career of more than 30 years.

"I appreciate and am grateful, consider this a blessing in life. With the title and honor comes pressure, I want to use the remaining time to serve the audience and be grateful for the profession. Everyone has life. It's difficult, but for an artist, being able to sing is boundless happiness," he confided.

In addition to singing, People's Artist Trong Phuc also actively participates as a judge and coach for the programs Golden Rice, Golden Bell Vong Co, Cai Luong Academy... The artist confided that he looks at each new face at a different level. At the age of 18 or 20, he seemed to see his entire youth.

The male artist worries about passing on his craft to generations of colleagues and young artists. For Trong Phuc, an artist who wants to sing well and act well must struggle in life; Knowing joy and sadness, worrying and tormenting the times, only then will you have the full emotions to embody the role.

Trong Phuc is happy because Cai Luong, after a period of seeming deadlock, is showing signs of revival. Some stages and catwalk venues are brightly lit, helping artists like him have the opportunity to work, and the audience loves them. That is a happy thing for people like him who have lived nearly their entire lives for Cai Luong.

Trong Phuc's name recently attracted attention when he performed the song Song of the Southern Land in the movie Southern Forest Land. The new remix of the work and the male artist's voice were well received by the audience, especially generation Z.

According to Trong Phuc, re-singing classic songs with new arrangements and a different spirit is a way to bring traditional music to young audiences. The male artist plans to make new products with new music, combining a number of operas staged with the breath of the times.

What concerns do you still have about singing? Trong Phuc believes that in the past, art was a way to make a living, but now it is a simple joy in old age. At this age, he no longer seeks any rights, fame, or wants to be more famous.

Artists do not feel pressured by food or money because they see their need for a simple life, without seeking material things.

"I have enough houses and cars, so I don't want anything else. I may not be as rich as anyone else, but the important thing is "Consistency is always happiness" (Knowing enough is happiness - PV). Because of thinking like that, I don't apply pressure. Money matters when working," Trong Phuc expressed.

Used to living alone for many years

Leaving the spotlight, Trong Phuc returned to life as a man with a simple, somewhat casual lifestyle. He keeps the habit of drinking coffee every morning, reading newspapers, watching movies and studying opera. Occasionally, he gathers with friends to drink a few cans of beer and talk about life. Thanks to living a simple, self-contained life, the artist feels light-minded and without worries.

Trong Phuc has a son studying at an international university. However, he refused to share more deeply about his family. For Trong Phuc, artists should only appear in the newspaper with things related to art, while private life should be kept in a separate corner.

'Every tree has a flower, every house has a scene, everyone has their own situation so I'm shy when mentioning personal matters. For many years, I've lived a private life. As an artist, I don't want my relatives to be scrutinized," he said.

Trong Phuc lives quite alone. He does not have a maid or assistant nearby, only a driver to facilitate running the show. Although sometimes empty and lonely, he gradually gets used to this as a choice.

On his free day, the artist carries his own basket to the market, chooses each fish, bundles vegetables, and then goes home to cook. Originally from the West, he is good at country dishes such as sour soup, braised fish, fish sauce... and is confident that he can cook well.

"I often practice singing, watch movies, take care of plants... to relieve loneliness. Over the past few years, I have raised a dog and keep it company every day. I have long taken care of myself, not trouble anyone," Trong Phuc shared. A private life after many ups and downs in life is suitable for him right now.

In 2021, Trong Phuc had a traffic accident that left his body seriously injured, breaking his cheekbone and shoulder blade. After the accident, the male artist's health also gradually weakened. He currently suffers from dizziness, bone pain... so he sometimes has to take painkillers.

"I have a few illnesses, but they're not too serious, I'm still able to control them. Sometimes when I go on a show late at night, I want to take a shower to refresh my body but I'm afraid of having a stroke. I'm alone in case something happens...", I said.

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