Khanh Van: 'After waking up one night, I suddenly had a new house and car'

Khanh Van always has a bright smile whenever she appears, a smile that spreads warmth to the person opposite. On the outside, Van is gentle, kind, and feminine. But hidden inside is a strong, individualistic, and a bit mischievous girl.

It also hurts to read negative comments

-Six months after being crowned, how has Miss Khanh Van changed compared to before?

- When I was first crowned 1-2 months ago, I felt unfamiliar and kept asking myself, 'Am I a beauty queen?' Now I understand more about the weight and pressure that the crown brings. I know what I have to do to always live responsibly towards the community and help those in difficult circumstances as I wish.

I am also more mature, calm and serious. Khanh Van used to be cheerful and a bit childish.

-With fame and being known by many people, has your life changed much?

- It has changed quite a lot. After waking up one night, I suddenly have a new house and a new car (during the 2 years of her reign, the beauty queen gets to live in a house and use a car from the organizing committee - PV). I have a team always by my side, supporting me.

And the pressure slowly came. I read many comments, some compliments, some criticisms. At first, I was a bit sad. I wondered why people said that about me. I was hurt and knew pain too!

But then I calmed down. I think in a positive way, those comments partly help me know where I am lacking so I can fix it and try harder every day. What I need to change most is to be confident in handling and responding to the things that happen to me.

-Does that feeling of stress and pressure come from being compared to previous beauty queens?

- I think comparison is only part of it. The biggest pressure is that I will represent Vietnam in international beauty pageants. It is a big responsibility. And I have to try my best, with all my heart and soul.

Khanh Van feels more mature after being crowned Miss.

- Have Khanh Van and H'Hen Nie ever talked directly to each other about this?

- Hen and I have never talked directly to each other about this story. But she understands and shares. I remember once on a live stream, she said she also faced the same pressure before and encouraged me. I heard her say that, and I burst into tears. Sometimes when I don't understand something, I still call or text Hen to ask for her opinion.

-Your parents are the ones who have always been by Khanh Van's side. When you encounter sadness, do you usually share it or keep it to yourself?

- I usually don't share, but my parents understand and take the initiative to confide in me. My parents are very cute and have encouraged me a lot. My mother told me that now that I am a beauty queen, I have to try my best and not be influenced by negative things outside.

I think people don't understand me, so they might say things that are not right. Instead of blaming me, I think positively, find ways to get closer to the audience so they can understand, and then slowly change from hate to like, to love me more.

"There is no such thing as a bland beauty queen"

-If a beauty queen maintains a beautiful, safe image, she is easily considered “bland”. On the contrary, if she goes in a different, individual direction, she can also face risks and be criticized. Which direction do you choose?

- I think Miss Universe is a contest that aims for beauty with personality, strength, courage, living correctly and being true to yourself. The people who came before me all had personality. I want to always change my image so as not to be boring, of course still within the standards of a beauty queen.

When you try new things, you cannot avoid risks and you have to accept them. Sometimes the images are not beautiful, and people will comment on this and that, but that is not the problem. The important thing is that you want to innovate and dare to change. I think then you will be an interesting beauty queen.

I also hope that people have a more open and positive view of a beauty queen. The title of beauty queen is not only reflected in her image, but also in the work and social and community projects that she has done. Beauty queens also have their own feelings, joys and sorrows.

- At this point, are you afraid or uncomfortable if the word "bland" is attached to your name?

- I think whether it's bland or not depends on the audience's perception, there's no such thing as a bland beauty queen. Each beauty queen has her own personality.

- After about half a year of silence due to the impact of the epidemic, the upcoming journey will be your final stage to prepare for the Miss Universe 2020 contest?

- My team and I have a clear and specific plan to get to Miss Universe. I have to study and practice a lot about catwalk, communication skills, English, choosing national costumes, evening gowns... It can be said that everyone and I are sprinting every day. This year, due to the impact of the epidemic, we do not know the specific schedule of the competition. But I must always be in the most ready position.

Khanh Van always wants to change her image and is willing to take risks.

- Currently, which skill are you most confident in and which one do you need to improve?

- Before becoming a beauty queen, I had experience in the profession, so I have a little foundation in everything. I am trying to make everything more complete and better.

The thing I am most insecure about is English. From my experience, I would like to advise students of school age to focus on English early. When I was young, I only focused on developing my talent subjects. Now, I study harder. I set a goal that within 3-6 months, I cannot speak like a native, but I can still understand and communicate with international friends. If I encounter a word that is too difficult, I can use 'body language'. I think the most important thing is still demeanor and expression, not necessarily the language barrier. Let's just share the most sincere things, I believe everyone will feel it.

Working hard to achieve the golden measurements

- H'Hen Nie and Hoang Thuy both had impressive body transformations before coming to Miss Universe. Have you started your training process yet?

- Van's point of view is that women should first love themselves and their bodies. Then, you will feel confident. Besides, Van knows that no one is perfect from the beginning. Everyone has flaws, the important thing is how you perceive your flaws and how you overcome them to improve every day.

My biggest goal now is to gain weight. I have a body type that loses weight easily, so it is very difficult to gain weight. After gaining weight, I will work out to tighten my body.

-Specifically, what measurements do you aim to achieve?

-I am like other beauties who are trying hard to practice to reach the golden measurements. I am thin, practicing will be a difficult process and I have to try every day. My current measurements are 82-60-90. And I need to improve my hips the most.

- What other plans are in the works, can you share more?

- After the pandemic, my workload is now very dense, sometimes there is no time to rest. I am implementing a social project, going to the provinces to rescue children who have been sexually abused or are at risk of being abused. I try to bring them to the One Body Village safe house.

Miss Universe 2019 carries out a community project to help sexually abused children.

When I started this project, I knew it would be a difficult one because it was sensitive. I had to be careful with every word I said because it involved children. I didn’t know how well I would do, but I was trying my best and putting all my heart into it.

-Where did you want to do this project?

- Based on Khanh Van's personal story that I shared in the Miss Universe Vietnam contest. I was once almost a victim of sexual abuse. When the incident happened, I was scared and psychologically affected for a while. Luckily, I had my parents and brother by my side. I asked myself how terrible the trauma and obsession would be for orphans or unloved children. I always worry and want to protect them.

Currently, I have only been to 1 province, gone for 5 days and brought 7 babies home. When I went to the field, I saw that there are many difficult situations in life. I hope to receive support from donors and people who love children to join hands with me to carry out the project.

Sometimes one hand can't do it all. It takes many hands to do something meaningful.

Thanks Khanh Van for the chat!

Photo: Viet Hung

Graphics: Phuong Nguyen

Hien Ha