Celebrating Talent & Heritage: A Night with thuy at the Grammy Museum

In celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPI), the Grammy Museum hosted an electrifying evening with rising superstar, thuy. The event, moderated by Lindsay Parker from Music Times, delved into the starlet’s inspiring journey, her creative process, and her groundbreaking achievements.

The evening kicked off with Parker introducing thuy with excitement. The anticipation was heightened by the serendipitous moment they shared earlier, discovering they had dyed their hair the same color. This light-hearted moment set the tone for a conversation filled with warmth and authenticity.

Thuy On Her Career & Coachella Experience

thuy’s career has been nothing short of phenomenal. She boasts over 600 million global streams and her hit “Girls Like Me Don’t Cry” was among the top 10 global songs on TikTok last year. She has graced the covers of prestigious magazines such as Billboard, Rolling Stone, Paper, Vibe, Nylon, Harper’s Bazaar, and Flaunt. Just last month, thuy made history as the first Vietnamese-American artist to perform at Coachella! It’s a milestone that underscores her influence and the support of her community.

Reflecting on her Coachella experience, thuy shared, “It was everything I imagined it to be. I had high expectations and I was determined to be present and have fun”. Despite sound issues during her first weekend performance, thuy’s spirits were uplifted by the incredible energy of the crowd, which she reciprocated tenfold. The historical significance of her performance sank in during rehearsals and was solidified when she saw her parents enjoying themselves in the crowd. “Seeing my mom and dad having such a good time was a surreal moment. They never experienced music festivals growing up, so sharing that with them was very special.”

thuy’s Path To Stardom

thuy’s Path to stardom wasn’t straightforward. Growing up in an immigrant household, she initially pursued a conventional career path, attending UC Santa Barbara and graduating with a degree in psychology. Music was a secret passion, nurtured in the background while she worked at various medical offices. It wasn’t until she missed a deadline to apply for PA school that she decided to fully embrace her musical dreams. “I had two thousand dollars in my savings and no job lined up, but I knew I had to make it happen,” thuy recounted.

Her determination saw her through many challenges, including securing a job in LA’s competitive market. A stroke of luck and familial connection landed her a job at a restaurant, which sustained her as she pursued her music career. thuy’s journey is a testament to her mental toughness, a quality honed during her high school wrestling days. “Wrestling taught me to never give up. Even when I felt like an underdog, I trained hard to prove people wrong”.

She also mentions that growing up and watching TV, she didn’t see Asian representation. The younger version of thuy saw family going towards careers such as doctors and lawyers because who she saw in showbiz did not look like her. “…you come to a certain point in your life where you just have to love your body because this is the one body you have. The fact that people see me, and they see themselves in me, I think that is the most fulfilling thing doing what I do.”

The Breakout Hit

thuy’s breakout hit, “Girls Like Me Don’t Cry,” encapsulates her resilience. Despite the initial struggle to bring the song to life, it resonated deeply with listeners, amassing over 600 million streams and becoming a viral sensation on TikTok. thuy explained, “The song is about the facade of strength. The strongest women cry, but we often pretend we don’t”.

As thuy’s career continues to soar, she remains grounded and committed to inspiring others. Her story is one of perseverance, authenticity, and the courage to follow one’s dreams despite the odds. In thuy’s words, “My purpose in life is to inspire people. Whether through music or sharing my journey, I want to help others realize it’s never too late to pursue their dreams”.

Future Plans

thuy’s Future plans sound exciting and creative! She’s working on a project that focuses on using her voice in various ways, exploring themes of love and fun. thuy Mentions “it’s gonna touch on love and whatever but it’s just gonna be a feel-good project.” She’s also considering creating a Christmas EP with a linked music video, although she admits to being a bit late with this project and it’s been a constant battle of being able to do this BEFORE Christmas. Despite this, she’s optimistic about finding inspiration during her current sessions.

Additionally, she hinted at a potential collaboration with RINI in the near future, describing their relationship as like family. Sounds like there’s a lot of exciting things ahead for thuy!

Performances To End The Night

The evening concluded with stunning performances by thuy, leaving the audience in awe of her talent and inspired by her story. She performed her newest track “hair down”, most popular track “girls like me don’t cry”, and even a cover by Tamia. As the first Vietnamese-American artist to play Coachella and a rising star with a rapidly growing fanbase, thuy is undeniably a force to be reckoned with in the music industry.

Photos by: Diana