Kaity Nguyen: “Tran Thanh Always Speaks Frankly When I Don’t Perform Well” (Video: Cam Tien, Quynh Tam).
“Tran Thanh is an elder brother whom I deeply admire and cherish”
In ‘Loved the Wrong Friend,’ Kaity Nguyen starred alongside Tran Ngoc Vang. The two also shared intimate moments at the film premiere. How do you respond to speculations of a ‘fake love’ to promote the movie?
– The film was shot across 11 provinces over a month, during which I mostly interacted with my co-star. This led to natural interactions both on and off screen. As a woman, I sometimes feel shy, but Tran Ngoc Vang made me comfortable, allowing us to work well together.
Over eight years in the industry, I’m not unfamiliar with being paired up. If the audience feels our chemistry, they will ship us. So, I take these speculations in stride.
The trio of actors in ‘Loved the Wrong Friend’ (Photo: Provided by the characters).
Aside from acting, Kaity Nguyen also serves as the creative director and investor for the film. Why?
– I believe everyone has their own goals, especially young people. I always want to hone my skills and try new roles. I love cinema and have been fortunate to have many opportunities in my career. Therefore, shifting into production or investment is a natural progression. Not every actor gets suitable roles, so when I’m not acting, I can still thrive in another capacity.
I aim to create a safe environment for actors. Not everyone has the chance to work with professional crews or be mentored. I hope one day, as a producer, I can help young talents express themselves freely.
Kaity Nguyen and Tran Ngoc Vang share natural interactions on screen (Photo: Provided by the characters).
Compared to other colleagues, Kaity Nguyen is young both in age and experience. Are you concerned about being perceived as inexperienced when moving into new roles?
– I am fortunate to have many elders and peers support and encourage me. If there are mistakes, I don’t dwell on them because failure is a learning experience. In a professional environment, debates are necessary. Young people have the right to voice their opinions, provided they respect their seniors.
Tran Thanh stated, “Kaity Nguyen is one of the most talented actresses in Vietnamese cinema today.” What do you think?
– Tran Thanh is an elder brother whom I deeply admire and cherish. In our collaborations, he doesn’t hold back. If I perform poorly, he will be very direct so I don’t repeat the same mistakes. If he thinks I do well, he will praise me to boost my confidence.
Perhaps he has followed my journey closely before making this assessment. I hope we will have the opportunity to collaborate on a project someday. Maybe when he sees me mature enough, he will have a script tailored just for me.
“In Love, I Am Gentle and Soft”
How do your parents support you in your career?
– It’s wonderful that my parents both love and trust me. Even when I work spontaneously, my father rarely objects or rejects my ideas. Instead, he encourages me to try new things.
I am quite stubborn, but my father finds it endearing. When he knew I was trying my hand at production, though he didn’t say much, I could sense his pride. My mother supports me from afar, always watching and cheering me on. My parents play a significant role in my career, motivating me to keep pushing forward each day.
Kaity Nguyen and Thanh Son portray a loving couple in the film (Photo: Provided by the characters).
Since entering the industry, your parents have set up a company for you. What did you do to avoid becoming overly dependent on family?
– My father established the company, but its operation and development are entirely my responsibility. Of course, he plays an important advisory role. However, in recent years, I’ve tried to minimize his workload since he deserves to rest. I want him to enjoy life, travel, and relax instead of constantly working alongside me.
Our family has a tradition of business, so pursuing artistry was unexpected. Initially, my father wasn’t fully supportive, but once I found my passion, he couldn’t stop me.
One of his sayings stays with me: “Father will never prevent you from doing something that you might regret later.” If he had opposed me firmly back then, I would probably still be running the family business instead of pursuing a career in the arts.
Throughout my life, my father has always given me freedom to express myself without imposing his views. He even enjoys it when I assert my strong personality. In our family, discussions are held to reach the best decisions. My older brother is calm and suited for dentistry, while I am more vibrant and outspoken.
You’ve mentioned wanting to get married early, which seems unusual in the entertainment industry. Why?
– I believe actors should have authentic life experiences, including in love. My father often reminds me, “Work hard, but also take time for yourself.” Marriage is a matter of缘分。
