The pop priestess creates her striking on-stage hairstyles using Bed Head Styling.
LOREM 3
I had this internal conversation with myself and thought ‘you need to stop living for somebody else and do something that truly makes you happy.’
I always knew since I was around 3, 4 or 5 that I wanted to be a pop star. At the age of 8 or 9, it was the era of Britney Spears, Christina Augilera and Mariah Carey. I remember listening to “Hit Me Baby One More Time” and I thought “wow,
I want to be just like Britney Spears.” I had my parents go out and buy [Britney Spears’]
CDs and I was in the back house playing that CD over and over again. I was always copying
her moves, copying her singing and I was
like "I think this could actually be a thing”
as a musician.
After graduating from UCSB, I received my bachelor’s degree but still thought that I could be a pop star. I had this crazy overwhelming feeling that music was my passion. So, I met my boyfriend after I graduated college and he was always in the recording studio. One day I was like "hey can I tag along with you to the studio?" I came into the studio and I just felt this energy, and knew that's where I wanted to be. I was still working in the medical field at the time so I was juggling my musical aspirations but also working on a career that would make my parents proud.
At around the age of 27, I had this internal conversation with myself and thought "you need to stop living for somebody else and do something that truly makes you happy.” Right after that, I put in my two weeks and quit my
job in the medical industry. I didn't even have that much in my savings, but I believed in
myself and I knew that if I put 120% into this I could make that little girl's dream of being a
pop star come true. I moved to LA and I was like "wow this is where I was meant to be" and I’ve never looked back.
”
“
Going into your music, at what age did you realize you wanted to pursue a career in music and what was the turning point that led you to become
a musician?
Since dropping her first radio record “Hands on Me,” the songstress has garnered over 40 million streams worldwide, proving early on that she was bound to make her mark on the music industry. It wasn’t until 2017, that Thuy’s most commercially successful track to date, “All Night Long” gained widespread recognition in 2020, signaling the hit’s viral resurgence and the female soloist’s undeniable rise to pop stardom.
Whether the musical talent is performing on-stage or recording behind the mic, she uses the transformative power of beauty and fashion to express her identity to the fullest.
To enhance her statement-making style, the artist relies on effortless beauty looks and flowing, fuss-free hairstyles that allows her to channel her inner bombshell in bold fashion. To showcase how the pop sensation isn’t afraid to rise above the noise when it comes to harnessing beauty and style, HYPEBAE tapped Thuy to showcase how she uses the Bed Head Styling Wave Affair Three Barrel Waver to create her signature hairstyle she appropriately named mermaid waves.
In order to take her signature beauty look to
new heights, she masterfully mixes bold doses of playful hues, body-hugging silhouettes
and streetwear-derived garments that effortlessly melds feminine and masculine elements together.
In the latest installment of BAEwatch, Thuy spoke to HYPEBAE about how she made the jump from working in the medical industry to starting her career as a musician, how her Vietnamese upbringing has influenced her approach to music, the creative process
of releasing her next EP and how she
creates her striking hairstyles to amplify her
on-stage presence.
BAEWATCH
I love long wavy hair. In my last music video we had long extensions put in with waves or mermaid waves I should say, and I swear I felt like a whole other girl.
”
“
“
Even if I'm getting really glammed up, I still like to have an element that’s a little more undone. I love long, wavy hair, the [Bed Head Styling Three Barrel] Waver really accomplishes that look without too much effort.
”
First off, I didn’t know that I wanted to start an EP because I was putting out singles for a long time and I was focused on making the best possible songs that I loved. Naturally, we just started to pump out these songs and I was like "woah, do we have an EP?" Starting that process, I learned that I need to trust myself more because I have really good ideas and it comes from starting music later in life.
Being in quarantine, I didn't want to put that pressure on myself. Instead, it allowed me to be free from those negative thoughts and insecurities, and just enjoy the process of making the music. Literally, we would pull up
to a beat, I would go in the booth and sing melodies. I had the best time, and those moments where I would black out in the studio were the moments that I couldn’t believe I was making songs that good. As far as "In My Bag" we had so much fun and I think the main theme is to have fun, and that's just what we did. I just allowed myself to create. I didn't know if these songs were even gonna come out and I think that allowed me to take away that mental block
or pressure.
What was the creative process like when working on your latest EP? What are some things you learned about yourself as an artist throughout the process?
“
BAEWATCH
Go Off
A curated playlist filled with the sounds and musical stylings of artists beloved by Thuy.
How do you use beauty as a tool for self-expression and how does your signature look allow you to express your identity as an artist?
Now that I’m an artist it’s fun being able to play dress up. I love being able to try on different outfits that I normally wouldn't wear and tap into all of the alter egos I have underneath. Being able to try different clothes, different hairstyles and different makeup. My approach to beauty is very cozy and casual when I’m not doing photo or video shoots. But, when I’m shooting a video I love to tap into looks that I would normally never wear, and I think it’s cool to be able to play different characters using beauty and fashion.
Harkening back to the smooth, sultry tracks that defined ‘90s pop and R&B music, Thuy is the rising pop priestess who exudes confidence with her vibrant stance on beauty and daring sense of personal style.
Taking her ethereal voice, lyrical prowess, and slapping beats to the top of the charts with her empowering, made-to-move tracks. Originally hailing from the Bay Area, the now Los Angeles-based musician has been steadfast in cultivating her own distinguished sound that harmoniously blends her dreamy vocals with the sleek stylings of R&B sounds to produce chart-topping hits bursting with sass, fearlessness and confidence.
Watch “In My Bag”
The pop persona channels her alter egos in the official music video.
What is your go-to hairstyle that makes you feel most confident and how does it allow you to stand out from the crowd?
I love long wavy hair. In my last music video we had long extensions put in with waves or mermaid waves I should say, and I swear I felt like a whole other girl. I don't know what it was, it was just instant. You can put on clothes, you can put on makeup or whatever it is and there will be that moment that's like "woah.” I feel like that's how it is with my hair.
When it comes to performances, I love to play with different hairstyles and different updos. Whether it's a half updo with a wavy hair moment or I’m using clips to accessorize my hair. I’m all about having a ‘90s moment like adding butterfly clips to create some dimension to my hair for a dope look.
Walk me through the signature hairstyle you created using Bed Head Styling Three Barrel Waver.
I swear the Bed Head Styling Three Barrel Waver gives you the best mermaid hair and I feel like that's really in right now — just having long locks that look effortless, and that's my whole thing. Even if I'm getting really glammed up, I still like to have an element that’s a little more undone. I love long, wavy hair, the [Bed Head Styling Three Barrel] Waver really accomplishes that look without too much effort. Regular hair curlers can take forever, but the waver is the easiest and fastest way to create my signature mermaid hair.
As far as my approach to music goes, I just make things that I like. I’ll make pop songs if I’m in the mood or I’ll make R&B music, but it usually tends to stay in the R&B realm. ‘90s music also inspires me without me even knowing it. I grew up listening to early ‘90s and early ‘00s R&B and pop music, and a lot of my listeners say that they can hear that in my music. It’s not something I’m actively trying to emulate, but I think because I grew up listening to that type of music, it just has naturally seeped its way into the music I create.
How would you describe your distinct sound and approach to music to those who may be unfamiliar with you?
“
If my hairstyle is on point I feel confident as hell.
”
“
How does your hair empower you to express your true self — whether you're performing on or off stage?
I always say hair first before makeup. If my hairstyle is on point I feel confident as hell. My favorite thing is having a fuss-free wavy look or even pushing my bangs in front of the face or creating hairstyles that frame my face. I feel my most confident and I can literally go out the house without makeup because I have good hair. That's really the way I approach it with performances as well. I need to make sure my hair is good before my makeup.
How has your Vietnamese upbringing influenced your approach to music or enhanced your creativity?
I grew up in a really big family and we pride ourselves in keeping those family relationships. Every weekend, we would have huge parties with all of our cousins, aunties and uncles. Karaoke was huge in my family and that was always the main event. We knew that when the karaoke turned on, our neighbors were probably going to call the cops because it was so loud, and my parents would sing in Vietnamese. I didn't really know Vietnamese that well to sing along to it. But I always admired the passion, and all the fun that my family had with just going in and being able to sing. I think in another life my parents would have been pop stars because both my parents are great singers and I think that ability was passed along to me. [My parents] always knew I was going to be a singer, but they really wanted me to pursue a career that would make me happy but also support me.
But I never saw a lot of Vietnamese American singers in mainstream media so, naturally I went to school. Part of Vietnamese culture and my parents' upbringing and coming to America helped me see how hard they worked. [My parents] are so resilient and so resourceful, and witnessing the hard work they put in it naturally influenced me in every realm of my life — which is to put effort into everything I do. I think this mentality comes from my parents immigrating. For me, I put 120% effort into everything I love and everything I want to do.
LOREM 2
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THUY
LOREM 1
LOREM 2
”
It allowed me to be free from those negative thoughts and insecurities, and just enjoy the process of making the music.
Behind the Scenes
Get an inside-look at how the rising songstress gets ready using Bed Head Styling Three Barrel Waver to create her striking on-stage look.
Now that I’m an artist it’s fun being able to play dress up. I love being able to try on different outfits that I normally wouldn't wear and tap into all of the alter egos I have underneath. Being able to try different clothes, different hairstyles and different makeup. My approach to beauty is very cozy and casual when I’m not doing photo or video shoots. But, when I’m shooting a video I love to tap into looks that I would normally never wear, and I think it’s cool to be able to play different characters using beauty and fashion.
How do you use beauty as a tool for self-expression and how does your signature look allow you to express your identity as an artist?
I grew up in a really big family and we pride ourselves in keeping those family relationships. Every weekend, we would have huge parties with all of our cousins, aunties and uncles. Karaoke was huge in my family and that was always the main event. We knew that when the karaoke turned on, our neighbors were probably going to call the cops because it was so loud, and my parents would sing in Vietnamese. I didn't really know Vietnamese that well to sing along to it. But I always admired the passion, and all the fun that my family had with just going in and being able to sing. I think in another life my parents would have been pop stars because both my parents are great singers and I think that ability was passed along to me. [My parents] always knew I was going to be a singer, but they really wanted me to pursue a career that would make me happy but also support me.
But I never saw a lot of Vietnamese American singers in mainstream media so, naturally I went to school. Part of Vietnamese culture and my parents' upbringing and coming to America helped me see how hard they worked. [My parents] are so resilient and so resourceful, and witnessing the hard work they put in it naturally influenced me in every realm of my life — which is to put effort into everything I do. I think this mentality comes from my parents immigrating. For me, I put 120% effort into everything I love and everything I want to do.
How has your Vietnamese upbringing influenced your approach to music or enhanced your creativity?
I always knew since I was around 3, 4 or 5 that I wanted to be a pop star. At the age of 8 or 9, it was the era of Britney Spears, Christina Augilera and Mariah Carey. I remember listening to “Hit Me Baby One More Time” and I thought “wow,
I want to be just like Britney Spears.” I had my parents go out and buy [Britney Spears’] CDs and I was in the back house playing that CD over and over again. I was always copying her moves, copying her singing and I was like "I think this could actually be a thing” as a musician.
After graduating from UCSB, I received my bachelor’s degree but still thought that I could be a pop star. I had this crazy overwhelming feeling that music was my passion. So, I met my boyfriend after I graduated college and he was always in the recording studio. One day I was like "hey can I tag along with you to the studio?" I came into the studio and I just felt this energy, and knew that's where I wanted to be. I was still working in the medical field at the time so I was juggling my musical aspirations but also working on a career that would make my parents proud.
At around the age of 27, I had this internal conversation with myself and thought "you need to stop living for somebody else and do something that truly makes you happy.” Right after that, I put in my two weeks and quit my
job in the medical industry. I didn't even have that much in my savings, but I believed in
myself and I knew that if I put 120% into this I could make that little girl's dream of being a
pop star come true. I moved to LA and I was like "wow this is where I was meant to be" and I’ve never looked back.
Going into your music, at what age did you realize you wanted to pursue a career in music and what was the turning point that led you to become a musician?
I had this internal conversation with myself and thought ‘you need to stop living for somebody else and do something that truly makes you happy.’
I always say hair first before makeup. If my hairstyle is on point I feel confident as hell. My favorite thing is having a fuss-free wavy look or even pushing my bangs in front of the face or creating hairstyles that frame my face. I feel my most confident and I can literally go out the house without makeup because I have good hair. That's really the way I approach it with performances as well. I need to make sure my hair is good before my makeup.
How does your hair empower you to express your true self — whether you're performing on or off stage?
If my hairstyle is on point I feel confident as hell.
I always say hair first before makeup. If my hairstyle is on point I feel confident as hell. My favorite thing is having a fuss-free wavy look or even pushing my bangs in front of the face or creating hairstyles that frame my face. I feel my most confident and I can literally go out the house without makeup because I have good hair. That's really the way I approach it with performances as well. I need to make sure my hair is good before my makeup.
How does your hair empower you to express your true self — whether you're performing on or off stage?
I love long wavy hair. In my last music video we had long extensions put in with waves or mermaid waves I should say, and I swear I felt like a whole other girl. I don't know what it was,
it was just instant. You can put on clothes, you can put on makeup or whatever it is and there will be that moment that's like "woah.” I feel like that's how it is with my hair.
When it comes to performances, I love to play with different hairstyles and different updos. Whether it's a half updo with a wavy hair moment or I’m using clips to accessorize my hair. I’m all about having a ‘90s moment like adding butterfly clips to create some dimension to my hair for a dope look.
What is your go-to hairstyle that makes you feel most confident and how does it allow you to stand out from the crowd?
I had this internal conversation with myself and thought ‘you need to stop living for somebody else and do something that truly makes you happy.’
I swear the Bed Head Styling Three Barrel Waver gives you the best mermaid hair and I feel like that's really in right now — just having long locks that look effortless, and that's my whole thing. Even if I'm getting really glammed up, I still like to have an element that’s a little more undone. I love long, wavy hair, the [Bed Head Styling Three Barrel] Waver really accomplishes that look without too much effort. Regular hair curlers can take forever, but the waver is the easiest and fastestway to create my signature mermaid hair.
What is your go-to hairstyle that makes you feel most confident and how does it allow you to stand out from the crowd?
I swear the Bed Head Styling Three Barrel Waver gives you the best mermaid hair and I feel like that's really in right now — just having long locks that look effortless, and that's my whole thing. Even if I'm getting really glammed up, I still like to have an element that’s a little more undone. I love long, wavy hair, the [Bed Head Styling Three Barrel] Waver really accomplishes that look without too much effort. Regular hair curlers can take forever, but the waver is the easiest and fastestway to create my signature mermaid hair.
What is your go-to hairstyle that makes you feel most confident and how does it allow you to stand out from the crowd?
Get an inside-look at how the rising songstress gets ready using Bed Head Styling Three Barrel Waver to create her striking on-stage look.
Behind the Scenes
Even if I'm getting really glammed up, I still like to have an element that’s a little more undone. I love long, wavy hair, the [Bed Head Styling Three Barrel] Waver really accomplishes that look without too much effort.
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LIZA
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BAILEY
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BAILEY
LIZA