Tóc Tiên

Nguyễn Khoa Tóc Tiên (; born 13 May 1989), known simply as Tóc Tiên, is a Vietnamese singer.

Beginning her career as a child, Tiên later became a teen idol, participating in several singing competitions and releasing two studio albums: Nụ cười nắng mai (2007) and Tóc Tiên thiếu nữ (2008). Her third solo album, My Turn (2009), projects a new, sexually charged image which she adopted while living in the United States and performing frequently on Thúy Nga Productions variety show, Paris by Night. Tiên appeared in the first season of the television series, The Remix, in 2015. The show gave her an opportunity to perform "Ngày mai (Vũ điệu cồng chiêng)", the song which brought her success and later became one of her signature hits. Subsequent singles, notably "Em không là duy nhất" and "#Catena (Có ai thương em như anh)", were moderately successful.

Tiên made her film debut in Già giân, mỹ nhân và găng tơ (2015), and has signed numerous endorsement deals. On television, she hosted Bài hát Việt in 2008 and was a judge on The Voice of Vietnam and Vietnam Idol Kids. Her accolades include three Làn Sóng Xanh Awards, two Yan Vpop 20 Awards, an Mnet Asian Music Award, a Zing Music Award, an LGBT Appreciation Award and a Vietnamese Elle Style Award.

Tóc Tiên participated in the reality music show Chị đẹp đạp gió rẽ sóng (Sisters Who Make Waves/Ride the Wind) (Season 2) in 2024 with 29 other female artists, where her group became the finalists ("Hoa đạp gió") and she became the group leader.

She will represent Vietnam in the inaugural edition of the Eurovision Song Contest Asia in 2026.

Early life and career Family Nguyễn Khoa Tóc Tiên was born in a Catholic family, to Nguyễn Trung Kiên, a businessman, and Kim Loan, a former ballet dancer and aerobics instructor, and raised in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Her wealthy family focused on education for generations and employed a strict parenting style, particularly her mother. The singer has two younger brothers, one of whom received a President's Education Award in 2015.

1989-2008: Childhood and early career Tiên was four when her family discovered her singing ability and allowed her to join the performing group of the Children's House of Ho Chi Minh City. For her first singing competition Đi tìm Ngôi sao Close-Up at the age of 13, she claimed she was 18 to meet their entry requirements. Tiên began studying biology at Lê Hồng Phong High School, one of Vietnam's most prestigious high schools, in 2004. Although her grades were generally good until her graduation in 2007, they sometimes suffered due to her work schedule. and was recognized for songs such as "Tuổi teen tóc mây", "Rock học trò" and "Cô bé tóc xù". Tiên made her acting debut when she was the first actress to portray doctor Đặng Thùy Trâm for a segment aired on the VTV3 talk show Người đương thời. She later participated in Tiếng hát truyền hình toàn quốc giải Sao Mai, her third singing competition; this surprised many since Tiên was an established performer at the time. "I came to the competition to prove myself, not to test my abilities," she said. During an interview, the singer announced that an album was in the works and she would take a year off from singing to prepare for the national university-entrance examination. Tiên said several times that she wanted to be a doctor, with her singing career a "side job". After the July examination, Tiên was not admitted to her first-choice school, Ho Chi Minh City Medicine and Pharmacy University's Faculty of Medicine, and opted for the university's Faculty of Traditional Medicine.

In May 2008, Tiên began co-hosting the fourth season of Bài hát Việt with Anh Tuấn and Lại Văn Sâm. Quốc Bảo, Phương Uyên and other songwriters were enlisted for her second album, Tóc Tiên thiếu nữ, which was scheduled for release in June. Tiên undertook her first high-school tour Tóc Tiên và những giấc mơ in September, traveling to six schools in Ho Chi Minh City, Đồng Nai Province and Hanoi. In a 2014 interview for Elle Man Vietnam, Tóc Tiên stated that her childhood was "definitely different from [her] peers." She added: "Besides the pressuring study at school, I was following a singing career, I had to do photoshoots, interviews, etc. When my friends were having their days off, I was taking advantage of my time to do homework backstage at concerts or film studios."

2009-2014: Paris by Night and career in the United States Early in 2011, Tiên rushed to finish a collaborative album with her long-time friend, singer Wanbi Tuấn Anh, before moving with her family to Los Angeles in March. Chuyện tình vượt thời gian, a collection of their past and new collaborations, was released in June. Tiên had begun her undergraduate studies at Pasadena City College, majoring in biology, By 2016, Tiên had appeared on more than forty episodes of Thúy Nga's direct-to-video variety series Paris by Night (PBN), starting with her performance of "Tóc Mây" on the 96th installment in June 2009. After taking a break from Paris by Night to focus on her career in Vietnam, she later comes back to perform on this program in Singapore in 2019 (PBN 130), and in Bangkok, Thailand in 2022 (PBN 134) and 2023 (PBN 136).

She sang part-time to finance her education, performing in clubs and casinos across the US. In September 2010, Tiên made a cameo appearance on Wanbi Tuấn Anh's music video for "Bắt sóng cảm xúc" and was featured on the song's R&B remix. Her third solo studio album My Turn was released in August 2011, and includes contributions from Dương Khắc Linh, Nguyễn Hải Phong, Thanh Bùi and others. In May 2012, music videos for three album tracks and her Paris by Night performances were included on the compilation video release The Best of Tóc Tiên. After a number of collaborations with Mai Tiến Dũng on the variety series, their joint album Mystical Night was released in August. In July 2013, Tiên reported that she had transferred to California State University, Long Beach and changed her major to communication studies to balance her education and career; however, she eventually dropped out. This was followed by the release of two singles, "Tell Me Why" in November and "Ngày mai" in February 2015, with the former's video causing controversy over its provocative nature. She joined the cast of music competition The Remix in December, despite initially rejecting the offer. TeamV—which consists of Tiên and producers Touliver and Long Halo—would go against other notable acts such as Sơn Tùng M-TP and Đông Nhi, to create the best remix work on the program. In April, her performance of "Ngày mai" on the fourth live show was a success. The song's new mix with the choreography, both named "Vũ điệu cồng chiêng", immediately went viral. It was awarded a 2015 Pops Award for Most Covered Music Video, a nomination for Song of the Year at the 2015 Làn Sóng Xanh Awards, a nomination for Music Video of the Year at the 2015 Dedication Music Awards, a 2016 Zing Music Award for Most Favorite Dance/Electronic Song, and the annual Top Hit title from television show Vietnam Top Hits. Many publications called the track her signature hit. Her team went on to debut other singles on the competition including "D.C.M.A. (Đâu cần một ai)" in June, which features BigDaddy and Andree, before finishing the show in fourth place.

1

"Angel"/"Faded" Advanced 2 "Non sông gấm vóc" Trance "Hoa cỏ mùa xuân"

3 "Cuộc sống mới, kỷ nguyên mới" Rap, hip hop, dubstep, trap, R&B "Em về tinh khôi" 4 "Hòa mình cùng âm nhạc" House "Ngày mai" Safe (1st) 6 "Sáng tác mới" Free choice "D.C.M.A. (Đâu cần một ai)"

8 "Play Hard" Heavy metal, electronic, bass "Người đàn bà hóa đá" Safe (2nd) 9 "Ca khúc hit" Free choice "Đường cong" Safe (3rd) 10

"Sao anh vẫn chờ"

"Thế giới không có anh"

"Chờ người nơi ấy" Finale — Bronze award (4th) However, both the film and her performance received negative reviews from critics. In January 2016, she won Best Female Artist at the Yan Vpop 20 Awards and performed "I'm in Love" and "Big Girls Don't Cry". These two singles were from her then-upcoming extended play T. In March, she recorded "Một con đường hai ngã rẽ" for the soundtrack of the comedy film Taxi, em tên gì?. Tiên later became a prominent judge on the first seasons of Tài năng DJ and Vietnam Idol Kids in May, following her guest judging appearances on various television series. She also appeared as guest mentor on four episodes of The Face Vietnam first season and on its live finale aired in October. A string of musical releases served for Tóc Tiên's advertising campaigns were conducted afterwards. Dutch producer Afrojack and rap artist Suboi joined one of them, "Tâm điểm ánh nhìn (All Eyes on Us)", the trio's song for Budweiser released in December. Her team's contestant, Hiền Hồ, won the latter show's second place and appeared with her on a duet titled "Hôn" in June. Tiên also released a few other singles throughout the year, including: "Em không là duy nhất" in February, which was successful, "Walk Away" in May, and "Hôm nay tôi cô đơn quá", a collaboration with Rhymastic, in August. She was awarded a 2017 Mnet Asian Music Award for Best Asian Artist in Vietnam in November, and a V Live Award for Best Iconic Star in January 2018, and was also included in the top five most favorite singers at the Làn Sóng Xanh Awards for the third consecutive year. "Hôm nay tôi cô đơn quá" later received both Single and Song of the Year nominations at the Làn Sóng Xanh and Dedication Music Awards, respectively. Her singles, "Thì em vẫn thế" and "Phút giây tuyệt vời", were released in February and April 2018, respectively.

Tóc Tiên participated in the reality music show Chị đẹp đạp gió rẽ sóng (Sisters Who Make Waves/Ride the Wind) (Season 2) in 2024 with 29 other female artists, where her group became the finalists ("Hoa đạp gió") and she became the group leader. In January 2025, Tóc Tiên was chosen by Riot Games to cover "Bite Marks" - a theme song for the League of Legends 2025 season. She is also one of the three main producers for the first season of Show It All Vietnam reality TV program from April 2025.

Tóc Tiên organised her first fan-meeting "The 1st Fancon FANMEET-TIÊN 2025" in Gia Định Park Circus, Ho Chi Minh City. She also performed in significant concerts and festivals in Vietnam, including V Concert - Rạng rỡ Việt Nam (V Concert - Radiant Vietnam) to celebrate 80 years of the August Revolution and Vietnam National Day in Vietnam Exposition Center (VEC) in Đông Anh Ward, Hanoi, and Concert Quốc gia - Tổ quốc trong tim (National Concert - Homeland in Our Hearts) in August 2025 at Mỹ Đình National Stadium, Từ Liêm Ward, Hanoi. She is considered one of the most sought-after artists in Vietnam.

Artistry and public image

From the start of her career, Tiên had a generally wholesome image as a teen idol. Quốc Bảo and Đỗ Bảo music along with pop jazz, blues and R&B were said to be her main inspirations. In March 2013, she changed her hairstyle to a pixie cut after a series of photoshoots and performances where she offered a more provocative image. Her third solo album My Turn reflected this style both visually and musically at its early stage. The trio's successful collaboration, "Ngày mai (Vũ điệu cồng chiêng)", was made famous by the chorus that infused house music with the use of drum and percussion, all creating a notable gong-like sound. Moreover, elements of trap were used in several productions of her subsequent singles. Stylistically, the singer has been described as a fashion icon and was compared many times to Miley Cyrus and Rihanna. Fashion brand Juno created a fall collection called Juno & Tóc Tiên in 2017, which was inspired by the singer's style. Aside from her deal with Juno, Tiên has accepted numerous brand endorsement offers and was dubbed as the "queen of endorsements". When she endorsed I-Mobile phones in 2008, the company purchased 11,000 physical copies of Tóc Tiên thiếu nữ to give away as gifts to phone buyers. Other brands that she has promoted include Pepsi, OPPO Electronics' smartphones, Toshiba, PNJSilver, Louis Vuitton, and Calvin Klein.

Tiên is a Christian and stated that her religious faith brought her back to her home country to rebuild her career. She is also a supporter of LGBT rights. The appearances created divided opinions, with some critics accusing the characters of disrespecting transgender people. For her work in support of the community, the singer was awarded the Most Influential Person Voted by the Public category at the LGBT Appreciation Awards in 2016. Despite their age gap (Tiên was 19 and Chong Paul was 27 when they first dated), her parents approved of the relationship, but only under strict monitoring. Some articles have since linked her in a relationship with producer Touliver, but both have denied these claims. In 2017, Tiên referred to herself as "single". Despite this, she expressed a desire to reconcile with her mother in many interviews and on social media, even claiming the strained relationship caused her to be depressed for a long period. "It's difficult to solve the conflicts [between me and my mother]. They're not just simply generation gap conflicts, they involved the ways of thinking from each individual. So to say if the problems have been solved, I'd say they haven't," she said. In 2026, Tóc Tiên announced that she and Hoàng Touliver had divorced due to personal reasons and agreed to maintain professional peer relationship.

Discography Nụ cười nắng mai (2007) Tóc Tiên thiếu nữ (2008) Chuyện tình vượt thời gian (2009) (with Wanbi Tuấn Anh) My Turn (2011) Mystical Night (2012) (with Mai Tiến Dũng) CONG (2022)

Singles As lead artist

Promotional singles Title Year Album Ref"Santa Baby" 2015 "Be Your Best Version"2016 "Tâm Điểm Ánh Nhìn" 2017 "Hôn" "Mọi Lúc Bên Anh"2019 "Xuống Phố Phải Tươi" "Mãi Xuân Cùng Em"2020 "Việt Nam Tử Tế"

Other charted songs TitleYear Peak chart positions Album Ref VIE Hot VIE Top"Nếu Anh Là Em" 2022 — 81 CONG

Filmography Film roles

Music video appearances Year Title Artist 2010 "Bắt sóng cảm xúc" Wanbi Tuấn Anh 2016 "Như vậy mãi thôi" Noo Phước Thịnh 2017 "Vì đời là thế mà" Mai Tiến Dũng 2018 "Dusted" Mr.A featuring Touliver and Dustee

Tours and live performances Headlining Tóc Tiên và những giấc mơ (2008) The 1st Fancon FANMEET-TIÊN 2025 in Ho Chi Minh City (2025)

Supporting act Đợi chờ trong cơn mưa (with Thế Hiển) (2002)

Paris by Night performances

Joint concerts and music festivals in Vietnam

From the program Call Me by Fire Vietnam: Tự Long, Thanh Duy, Jun Phạm, Cường Seven, Thiên Minh, Rhymastic, SOOBIN, Tăng Phúc, Bùi Công Nam, Đỗ Hoàng Hiệp, S.T Sơn Thạch, Neko Lê, Kiên Ứng, HuyR, Duy Khánh, Đinh Tiến Đạt, Phan Đinh Tùng, Phạm Khánh Hưng, Binz, BB Trần, Quốc Thiên.

From the program Show It All Vietnam: Hồ Đông Quan, Cường Bạch, Thái Lê Minh Hiếu, Wonbi, Swan Nguyễn, Duy Lân, Long Hoàng, minhtin, Đức Duy, Lâm Anh, Phúc Nguyên. Team Sisters Who Make Waves Vietnam27 DecemberTiger Remix 2026Đồng ThápSOOBIN, NSND Hữu Quốc, Hoàng Thuỳ Linh, DJ Soda, (S)TRONG Trọng Hiếu, Quang Hùng MasterD, Anh Tú, Phương Mỹ Chi, Kay Trần, Phạm Anh Khoa, Muộii, Hoàng Rapper, DJ Hoaprox, DJ KS, DJ Hino, MC Hype MastaB 31 DecemberHo Chi Minh City

Awards and nominations

+ Year Award Category Nominee/work Result 2014 Star of the Year (Vietnam) Beautiful Woman of the Year Herself Yan Online Awards Breakout Artist Herself Before 2016, the WeChoice Awards were stylized as "We Choice" for their first edition. Elle Style Awards (Vietnam) Upcoming Female Singer of the Year Herself Green Wave Awards Top 5 Most Favorite Singers – Top Hit Herself Single of the Year "Ngày mai (Vũ điệu cồng chiêng)" (with TeamV) Best Female Artist Herself WeChoice Awards Inspirational Playlist "Ngày mai (Vũ điệu cồng chiêng)" (with TeamV) Inspirational Person of 2015 Herself Most Effective Performer Herself Dedication Music Awards Music Video of the Year "Ngày mai (Vũ điệu cồng chiêng)" (with TeamV) Her World Young Woman Achiever Music Herself 2017The 18th Làn Sóng Xanh Awards ceremony was held on 18 December 2015, but the 19th edition was held on 4 January 2017. Yan Vpop 20 Awards Top 20 Outstanding Singers Herself Elle Style Awards Vietnam Most Stylish Female Singer Herself Mnet Asian Music Awards Best Asian Artist in Vietnam Herself 2018 Green Wave Awards Top 5 Most Favorite Singers – Top Hit Herself V Live Awards Best Iconic Star Herself Most Influential Person of the YearGiải Mai VàngMost Favourite Female Artist