The reality TV program Chị đẹp đạp gió rẽ sóng (Sisters Who Make Waves) 2023 officially aired its first episode on the evening of October 28, 2023. The show featured 30 beautiful contestants and featured 5 debut performances that thrilled the audience.
Stepping into the spotlight of individual performances, the beautiful contestants faced their first challenge: a no-rehearsal rule for their solo performances. After completing their personal performances, the ladies received scores from a panel of program advisors consisting of producer Trần Thành Trung, journalist Trần Hồng Hà, and creative director Denis Đặng.
Each advisor had the power to award 30 points while judging the contestants based on various criteria, including vocal performance, dance skills, and overall stage presence. For those vying for the coveted position of group leader, their fate depended on the votes of the remaining 29 contestants after they completed their solo performances. The three contestants with the highest scores would be declared the leaders of Group 1 based on the overall scores, while the two contestants with the highest scores from the advisors would become the next leaders of Group 1.
The list of candidates for the top position included esteemed names such as Thu Phương, Trang Pháp, Ninh Dương Lan Ngọc, Diệu Nhi, Giang Hồng Ngọc, H' Hen Niê, Diệp Lâm Anh, Lệ Quyên, Phương Vy, Đoan Trang, Thanh Ngọc, and MLee. These twelve beautiful ladies made their debut in the solo performance segment.
Mỹ Linh and Hồng Nhung surprised everyone by deciding not to run for the team leader position. The short-haired singer, Mỹ Linh, revealed the reason and spoke to the program with a spirit of learning. Mỹ Linh humorously said, "I'm here first for the feast, and I'll follow when it comes to the hard work. Please let others take the role of team leader so that I can learn. On the other hand, Hồng Nhung openly said, "Dear, I've been leading for decades. Let me have some fun in this show. Being a team leader means more work, more responsibility, and it's the right thing to do, so I'd rather not.
In the solo performance phase, Ninh Dương Lan Ngọc took the stage with the energetic song Tuổi xì teen (Teenage years) (composed by Phương Uyên). Making her debut on Chị đẹp đạp gió rẽ sóng (Sisters Who Make Waves), Ninh Dương Lan Ngọc left the audience in awe with her professional dance skills, executing intricate and daring choreography. The singer from the movie Gái già lắm chiêu (The Old Girl Has Many Tricks) surprised everyone and received feedback from advisor Trần Hồng Hà to focus on the performance. Lan Ngọc received a total of 80 points for this performance (advisor Trần Thành Trung: 27 points, advisor Trần Hồng Hà: 25 points, advisor Denis Đặng: 28 points).
During her conversation with the advisors, Lan Ngọc revealed that her performance was inspired by the image of a moon-faced sailor. This concept fascinated Denis Đặng, who praised her creativity. Lan Ngọc also shared that she experienced muscle soreness after performing Tuổi xì Teen (Teenage Years), admitting that she did not expect such a special transformation at the age of 30.
"These points are a pleasant surprise for me, beyond my expectations. I admit that my solo performance was not extraordinary. This is my first experience on a professional stage in a completely different role that requires me to sing and dance at the same time. I need to put in a lot more effort for the upcoming rounds," Lan Ngọc commented on her opening performance.
After Lan Ngọc, H'Hen Niê took the stage for her solo performance. She received vocal training from singer Thu Phương before her performance. H'Hen Niê showed great determination, approaching the contest with the attitude, "I'm 30 years old, I have nothing to lose". The Miss Universe Vietnam 2017 delivered a surprise by performing the Ede folk song "Buôn Dur Kmăn." The cheerful melody and captivating dance moves made her solo performance a memorable one.
The judges awarded H'Hen Niê a total of 86 points for her performance, with scores from the advisors: Trần Thành Trung (29 points), Trần Hồng Hà (28 points), and Denis Đặng (29 points). H'Hen Niê's pigeon-releasing performance at the Miss Universe 2018 competition baffled the remaining 29 contestants, raising questions about the whereabouts of the pigeon she released.
Through this performance, H'Hen Niê wanted to convey a message of unity and an unwavering spirit of continuous learning to her fellow Ê đê ethnic community. Denis Đặng praised H'Hen Niê's ability to shine on stage despite having no significant advantage in singing or dancing. He commented that this performance represented the spirit of the group.
"When I was on stage, I was enthusiastic. But after I got the microphone and heard my own voice, I got nervous. I forgot everything I had practiced. That's when I panicked, wondering if I could do it," H'Hen Niê confessed. The former beauty queen also revealed that her intense excitement, which led her to project her feelings onto the stage, made her practice sessions different from her live performance.
In contrast to Lan Ngọc and H'Hen Niê's performances, Thu Phương showcases her sweet and emotionally charged vocals during her debut on the stage of Chị đẹp đạp gió rẽ sóng (Sisters Who Make Waves). The Hai Phong-born singer performed a mashup of the songs Xin lỗi - Lần cuối (Sorry - Last Time) (composed by Vũ Đinh Trọng Thắng). Her heartfelt singing deeply resonated with the judges, earning her a total of 86 points: Trần Thành Trung (30 points), Trần Hồng Hà (28 points), and Denis Đặng (30 points).
As the advisors watched Thu Phương's performance, journalist Trần Hồng Hà shared her emotional reaction: "Watching her performance today, I was reminded of her when she was a singer at the Tuổi Trẻ (Youth Theater) in her 20s. By participating in Chị đẹp đạp gió rẽ sóng (Sisters Who Make Waves), she will be the torchbearer for many generations to return to their youth" - he was deeply moved by her performance.
During her interview with the advisors, Thu Phương admitted that she had almost given up before due to health and costume concerns. "I wanted to say that I couldn't sing because the outfit made me very tired. I couldn't even breathe while I was backstage," she revealed. She also revealed that it took her three months to figure out how to perform the mashup of Xin lỗi - Lần cuối (Sorry - Last Time).
Denis Đặng appreciated the fresh approach that Thu Phương brought to her performance and emphasized that she is an idol for many generations of viewers.
Reflecting on her performance, Thu Phương mentioned the heavy outfit that nearly caused her to faint on stage.
Mỹ Linh and Hồng Nhung had said earlier in the dressing room that these are the clothes worn by everyone who doesn't dance or sing.
Similar to Thu Phương, Diệp Lâm Anh chose to showcase her skills in hip-hop dance during her solo performance on the stage of Chị đẹp đạp gió rẽ sóng (Sisters Who Make Waves). She explained her choice by saying, "I wanted to give a performance that reflected my personal style and highlighted the name Diệp Lâm Anh.
With a high-energy dance performance set to the music of I Will Survive (composed by Dino Fekaris and Freddie Perren), featuring professional moves and challenging skills, Diệp Lâm Anh delivered a remarkable performance, earning a total score of 84 points: Trần Thành Trung (27 points), Trần Hồng Hà (28 points), and Denis Đặng (29 points). These scores came as a pleasant surprise to Diệp Lâm Anh, motivating her to do her best in the upcoming rounds.
"Before, I could practice 8 hours a day in the garden, but now I can't dance like before because I gave birth to two children and my physical condition is much weaker than before," Diệp Lâm Anh told the advisors.
The fifth contestant to take the stage was Lệ Quyên, known as the "Queen of the Music Stage". She showcased her sweet and profound singing, choosing to perform Nếu em được lựa chọn (If I Were Chosen) (composed by Thái Thịnh). Lệ Quyên joined the program with a desire to learn experience, and she emphasized that winning or losing was not her primary concern.
"I will always be Lệ Quyên in the hearts of the audience. However, I plan to be more dynamic and dedicated. This will only make the audience love me more," Lệ Quyên said openly. She received a total of 88 points from the three advisors: Trần Thành Trung (30 points), Trần Hồng Hà (29 points), and Denis Đặng (29 points). After witnessing her fellow artist's performance, MLee commented that Lệ Quyên sounded amazing just by breathing. Hồng Nhung noted that singing in love must be different.
Thus, after Episode 1 of Chị đẹp đạp gió rẽ sóng (Sisters Who Make Waves) 2023, Thu Phương and Lệ Quyên shared the lead with 88 points each according to the advisors' scores. Episode 2 of Chị đẹp đạp gió rẽ sóng (Sisters Who Make Waves) is scheduled to air on November 4, 2023 at 9:15pm on VTV3 and at 9:45pm on YouTube YeaH1 Show. Stay tuned for the next episode!
