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(From left) For these black pants and red vest he wore at Sao Mai Diem Hen 2008, Ngoc Minh was named the “worst-dressed” celebrity by Mot; pop stars My Le (L) and Thu Minh, who got dishonorable mentions, are indignant and want an apology from the magazine; TV host Thanh Bach wonders what he needs to wear to improve his sartorial image and is considering a lawsuit together with the others against Mot
Pop stars Thu Minh and My Le and TV host Thanh Bach have demanded an apology from a magazine that named them in a list of worst-dressed celebrities, threatening legal action if it fails to do so.
At a press conference Friday at the HCMC Journalists Association, the three and their lawyers gave Mot (Fashion) 15 days to make a public apology.
They believed some others who were nominated in the past few years would join them in case of a lawsuit.
Thu Minh was represented by her agent, Pham Trong Khoa.
He said, “Minh is very angry and wonders what criteria the magazine uses to judge.”
Thu Minh, who got the vote of six of the 21 judges - all journalists or designers, is on a tour of the US and returns on the 7th.
She has already received the ‘worst-dressed’ prize thrice in the past and has only been listed among the nominees this year.
TV personality Thanh Bach, who received nine votes, said he was astonished to be in the list.
“All my clothes are made by talented international designers. Now I wonder what I should wear to satisfy everyone.”
My Le, who polled the same number of votes as Bach, said, “Mot does not have the right to judge us.
“For normal people, such awards are an insult. For artists in the public eye, they badly damage our reputation.”
But the winner is...
Ngoc Minh, a finalist in Vietnamese Television’s singing contest Sao Mai Diem Hen last year, was named the “worst-dressed” after being the top choice of 13 of the judges.
Designer Duc Hung, who made the costumes for the contestants, remembers, “Ngoc Minh was so interested in the costume that he chose it from four I had designed for him.
“The baggy pants I made using thin, soft material for Minh are new to Vietnam but common in many other countries. Performing artists need to be creative, especially in the way they dress.”
He also praised singer Thu Minh’s style. “She looks beautiful and sexy. I am sorry that many Vietnamese equate ‘sexy’ with lewd.”
Reactions from organizer and judges
Tien Phong newspaper quoted Nhieu Huy, a reporter for the newswire VnExpress, as saying: “I have been involved with the poll for two years. The criteria Mot applies are clear. They judge not only by how much the personalities reveal but also by their daily style and behavior.”
“The selection process is objective, too. Mot gives the judges the list of artists nominated by its readers.
“While voting, the judges also point out where and when a certain artist appears in ugly clothes.”
Thuy Trang of Nguoi Lao Dong said, “I understand how the artists feel when they are named ‘worst-dressed’. But the poll seeks to push celebrities into trying to be more attractive.”
Mot said “After being named for the ‘worst-dressed’ prize, some artists have improved their style. For instance, singer Dam Vinh Hung, who was named the worst in 2003, got the ‘most fashionable’ prize in 2007.”
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METHOD TO MADNESS
Since it began eight years ago, Mot’s annual poll of “worst-dressed” personalities has been slammed by celebrities like Dam Vinh Hung, Nguyen Vu, Ngoc Khue and Mai Khoi.
The winners are chosen by more than 30 journalists and designers from a short list nominated by the magazine’s readers. To make the list, personalities should
- Create scandals to achieve publicity
- Wear odd or unsuitable clothes and accessories, and be oblivious to national cultural traits
- Show a lot of skin
- Behave/speak crudely in public.
The magazine also gives away prizes to the most “stylish”, “courteous“, “distinguished” and “impressive” personalities every year.
They were won by singer Ho Ngoc Ha, model Binh Minh, dancer Linh Nga and actress Tang Thanh Ha respectively this year.
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Reported by NHAT HA HOTEL
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