HÀ NỘI – Fillipino-born vocalist Janice Phương was named the first foreigner to win Việt Nam Idol during the show’s finale.

The seventh season of the Vietnamese-adapted British television singing contest concluded last saturday at BHD Studio in District 9, HCM City.

Phương was born and raised in a family in the Philippines, and moved to Việt Nam by herself at the age of 21 in search of a way out of poverty and a career in singing.

Phương beat her rival and finalist Việt Thắng, who was also adored by his skillful voice via audience SMS (short message services) vote. The two singers battled from May through September, but in the end Phương was the victor with 54.25 per cent of the vote.

When she heard her name called out as the winner, the 28-years-old cried. “I appreciate the audience a great deal for voting for me,” she said.

Phương came prepared with years of singing experience. Before the contest, she had performed in many night clubs and bars overseas. Although her strength is performing English-language songs with a powerful inner voice and skillful techniques, she tried to sing as many Vietnamese songs as possible to win the audience’s heart.  

Singer Nguyễn Thu Minh, one of the contest’s three judges, praised Phương as she sang Hello Việt Nam, accompanied by South Korean violinist JMI. “Her voice echoes from the bottom of her heart, like the feeling in many other Vietnamese hearts,” Minh said.

Besides their own solo perfomance, Phương and Thắng also performed with Thu Minh in two English songs Queen of the Night and Just Love.

The winning prize is VNĐ600 million ($26.904). —VNS