Do HIEUTHUHAI and Ho Ngoc Ha deserve to be A-list stars?

Criteria for A-list celebrities

The concept of an "A-list star" emerged in the American film industry around the beginning of the 20th century, specifically during the period when Hollywood was dominated by the "studio system"—a film production model where large studios controlled the entire filmmaking process: from production and distribution to screening.

At that time, film studios secretly divided stars into categories like A, B, C… to determine salaries, roles, and promotional campaigns. This division was mainly based on the experience and subjective feelings of each studio boss.

In 1997, journalist and film critic James Ulmer systematized and quantified this concept into a clear set of criteria, known as The Ulmer Scale.

Accordingly, the commercial power of an actor is quantified based on four main factors: Bankability - the ability to "guarantee" revenue and attract investment; Career management - strategies for selecting roles and career direction; Professionalism - professionalism in their work; and Risk factor - the element of risk.

The concept of A-list, B-list, and C-list stars is not limited to film; it's widely used in fields such as music, fashion, and sports.

Today, due to the impact of the times, the global entertainment industry is shifting towards many different trends. The Ulmer Scale's criteria for evaluating A-list stars are no longer accurate, especially in a context where the entertainment industry is heavily influenced by social media and idol culture. For example, in some cases, factors such as YouTube views, interaction on X, or social media reach are more important than sales figures.

According to the general public's perspective, an artist considered A-list in the current entertainment industry may have to meet criteria such as:

- High commercial value (demonstrated through product sales, high fees, advertising contracts, etc.);

- High level of popularity and influence (demonstrated through the ability to attract the public, media and social media coverage, trend-setting ability, ability to become a popular culture icon, etc.);

- Recognized for achievements by the public and/or professionals (demonstrated through ownership of outstanding works/products, prestigious awards, etc.);

- Possess a strong, professional, and long-lasting personal brand (encompassing all elements such as: team, development strategy, no major scandals, ability to inspire, etc.);

How many A-list stars are there in Vietnamese showbiz?

In the music industry, reporters surveyed several individuals and entities believed to have the highest demand for ranking singers, such as promoters, event organizers, brands, and agencies. They learned that Vietnamese showbiz currently lacks a common standard or system for accurately and consistently evaluating and ranking singers.

In other words, in 2025, the classification and ranking of singers in Vietnamese showbiz will still mainly be based on the experience and subjective feelings of each individual, depending on their position, work, and company.

Accordingly, A-list celebrities in Vietnam can be divided into three main groups:

- Rising young stars: HIEUTHUHAI, MONO, Phuong My Chi, Duong Domic...

- Artists who have built strong personal brands and remain relevant today include: Ho Ngoc Ha, Soobin, Hoang Thuy Linh, Hoa Minzy, Noo Phuoc Thinh...

- Artists who possess a solid personal brand in the post-peak stage: Dam Vinh Hung, Lam Truong, Ho Quynh Huong, Le Quyen...

Standing at the top of the A-list are four S-list stars: My Tam, Ha Anh Tuan, Son Tung M-TP, and Den Vau - who were previously introduced in the article.Vietnamese stars' fees can reach up to 2 billion VND per show..

Looking at the three groups of A-list stars, there are two points to note. First, it's necessary to distinguish between fee brackets and rankings based on the artist's personal brand positioning in the market. These two ranking systems are closely related but are not always identical.

"The amount of money required to invite Dam Vinh Hung to sing isn't much, only equivalent to a B-level, but his brand positioning is definitely A-level. Similarly, in the case of singer Van Mai Huong, the general public may not think she's largely positioned as an A-level artist. Huong's quoted price is also quite 'reasonable,' around B+ level, so that both sides are happy and can work together long-term," the source said.

This person also emphasized that many singers intentionally quote high prices to boost their brand image, resulting in them "staying home for a whole year because no one invites them to perform."

Secondly, an artist's ranking in the entertainment industry is never fixed, regardless of whether they are rising young stars or established artists with a solid personal brand.

Young singers become overnight stars thanks to reality TV shows, performing like A-list celebrities, but after a few months, their popularity fades and they drop to B-list status – this is a common occurrence.

Equally common is the case where artists get involved in serious scandals, lose the "favor" of the public and brands, and can easily fall straight from S or A ranks to B or C.

As the market develops, competition and pressure to eliminate competitors increase, leading to shorter cycles of artist rankings.

In general, the ranking of celebrities is always a topic of public interest, and often sparks controversy among fan communities. This is because no one wants their idol to be inferior to anyone else.

However, in a market that is not yet fully professionalized like Vietnam, the concept of A-list celebrities remains vague, lacking common criteria, and is mostly based on subjective feelings or even short-term trends – in contrast to the international market.

However, looking at most of today's A-list stars, one can see that their common thread is their diligent musical journey, building upon their success over time.

The essence of art is always the work itself; an artist who persistently dedicates themselves to their craft, serves the audience, and upholds ethical standards will attain a position commensurate with their efforts.