Mai Phuong Thuy: 'My boyfriend encouraged me to return to showbiz'

Mai Phuong Thuy has been absent from showbiz for a while now. Recently, she accepted to be a judge for the Miss Universe Vietnam 2017 contest. On the morning of January 3, 2018, Mai Phuong Thuy was in Nha Trang to judge the Sea Beauty sub-contest. Miss Vietnam 2006 had a short conversation.

Miss Mai Phuong Thuy in Nha Trang on the morning of January 3, 2018.

-Why have you been "missing" for so long?

- I have been crowned Miss Vietnam for 12 years. Of those, 7-8 years I was active continuously. By 2014, I felt that was enough, so I took time for myself. That is why I have "dived deep" until now.

-There is information that you have secretly married, what do you say?

- I'm not married yet, I plan to be in a few years. If I do get married, I won't announce it. I'll always be single in the media. I have to apologize for this.

-Can you share a little about your boyfriend?

- I'm happy. My boyfriend is not active in showbiz. He was the one who encouraged me to accept the Miss Universe judging position. He said: "You've been off for too long, get back to work."

-After a long absence, your appearance looks a bit different these days. Has your view on beauty changed?

- My point of view is no different from before. I stopped working in showbiz for 3 years, mainly traveling and doing other jobs, so gaining weight is understandable. It proves my life is happy.

Mai Phuong Thuy is visibly fatter. She says she is having a happy life.

-During that time, were you interested in the Vietnamese showbiz situation?

- Of course I can't keep up like before. Now I see there are changes that I need to learn. I like new experiences, I don't want to keep what I had before.

-Many people "hide" for a long time, when they return they feel surprised, what about you?

- I don't intend to stand out when I come back, my goal is to bring my experiences and knowledge to create new value for the audience.

-You are one of the beauties who is criticized for having an unstable fashion style. Do you have anything to share?

- I like Pham Bang Bang, in real life she dresses casually but at important events she knows how to make herself stand out. I like it that way, no need to follow any standards.

-As a judge of Miss Universe Vietnam 2017, how will you perform?

- I have been following the contestants closely in the past, but I came here early to meet and talk with them more to get a clearer feeling. The criteria for judging Miss Universe are not too different, but mainly emphasize dynamic beauty and intelligence. Any contestant who stands out and performs excellently can be crowned, it doesn't matter if it's a new or old face. I can't reveal who I'm most impressed with.

-Many audiences are waiting for you to be a coach on reality shows, do you have any plans?

- I really like Korean and Chinese reality shows because they exploit many interesting situations and moments. Vietnamese shows have not been able to do that yet, there are still barriers. I don't like being a coach, maybe in another role.