“DARE TO BE DIFFERENT - DARE TO BE YOURSELF” THROUGH MUSIC | (S)TRONG Trọng Hiếu | TEDxHCMUS

Key Concepts

• Identity and belonging
• Overcoming adversity and bullying
• Embracing difference and uniqueness
• Self-acceptance and self-love
• Cultural identity and dual heritage
• The pursuit of dreams and perseverance
• Avoiding comparison and focusing on personal growth

Early Life and Challenges

The speaker recounts his childhood in Bavaria, Germany, living in an asylum camp with his family. He describes the difficult circumstances, including living in a one-bedroom apartment and receiving food deliveries. He faced bullying in school due to his Asian appearance (black hair) and his passion for singing and dancing. He recalls a specific incident where children sang a mocking song ("Three Chinese with a double base") to him, causing him great distress and leading him to question his identity.

Musical Aspirations and Rejection

Despite the challenges, the speaker harbored a dream of performing on the world's biggest stages. He attended music college in Hanover, majoring in vocals. He faced criticism for his singing abilities and had to practice extensively, even sleeping at the school to improve. He aspired to represent Germany at the Eurovision Song Contest but was repeatedly rejected. He even tried to suppress his Vietnamese roots in an attempt to appear more German and increase his chances of selection.

Vietnam Idol and a Shift in Perspective

After finishing music college, the speaker visited Vietnam with his family. Feeling restless, he decided to participate in Vietnam Idol on the suggestion of his cousin. He won the competition, gaining recognition as the "German hot boy." This experience marked a turning point, as he began to feel that his differences were being celebrated for the first time.

Life in Vietnam and the Dilemma of Identity

The speaker moved to Vietnam to pursue his career. He immersed himself in the culture, studying the language, listening to music, and writing social media posts in Vietnamese. However, he struggled to be fully accepted as Vietnamese, as his language skills were lacking and his music was considered too Western. He felt caught between two worlds, not fully German or Vietnamese. He describes being called "Viet Kieu" in Germany and not being considered Vietnamese enough in Vietnam.

Embracing Difference and Eurovision Success

Faced with this dilemma, the speaker chose to embrace his unique identity. He realized he was "the best of both worlds." He submitted his song "Dare to Be Different" to the Eurovision Song Contest for the sixth time and was finally selected. He believes the song's message of embracing his German and Vietnamese heritage resonated with the judges. His performance included Vietnamese elements. The Netherlands awarded him 12 points. He fulfilled his dream of performing at Eurovision.

Career Success and Continued Growth

Following his Eurovision performance, the speaker embarked on his first tour in Germany in 2024, with a second tour planned for 2025 ("Strong Rice Tour"). In Vietnam, he received an award from the Foreign Affairs department for his song "Dare to Be Different." He was also featured on Vietnamese news, highlighting his participation in Eurovision as the first Asian artist in the German finale. He joined the reality TV show "Call Me By Fire," where he embraced his authentic self, speaking Vietnamese with a German accent and expressing his emotions openly.

Overcoming Comparison and Focusing on Self

Despite his success, the speaker found himself comparing himself to other successful artists on "Call Me By Fire." He realized that comparison led to feelings of inadequacy and that he was overlooking his own achievements. He reminded himself that "life ain't no race" and that everyone progresses at their own pace. He emphasized the importance of focusing on personal growth and becoming a better version of oneself.

Conclusion: Dare to Be Different

The speaker concludes by reiterating the importance of embracing one's differences and being true to oneself. He encourages listeners to focus on their own growth and to create a "garden" that attracts opportunities, rather than chasing "butterflies." He shares that he is now proud to be different and encourages everyone to "dare to be different" and "dare to be yourself." He thanks the audience and wishes them a wonderful new year.