Through her passion for art and a resilient spirit, 27-year-old Tran Ngoc Anh Thu has transformed her struggles into a beacon of hope, inspiring many with her story of overcoming adversity and embracing life’s imperfections.
A lifelong passion for drawing
Born in 1997, Thu stands at 1.42 meters tall and weighs only 27kg, a result of a childhood illness that stunted her physical development. Lacking timely medical treatment for a severe fever, her body lost the ability to develop muscle mass, leaving her physically frail.
Thu is 27 years old but only weighs 27 kg.
At just five years old, Thu was sent to live in a temple by her mother. Raised by nuns who provided her with care and love, she nonetheless yearned for the warmth of a family, especially during holidays when she hoped her mother would take her home.
Throughout her school years, Thu’s unusual appearance made her a target for teasing, with classmates dubbing her "skeleton" and "skinny Thu." Though these nicknames did not shame her, they led her to withdraw socially, finding comfort in solitude.
Drawing became Thu’s refuge. She expressed her emotions through art, often retreating to quiet spaces to sketch and paint. "Drawing has been my constant companion, from childhood through adulthood. Whether I'm happy or sad, I draw to release my emotions and find meaning in life," Thu reflected.
She grew up with a passion for painting.
After completing high school, Thu enrolled in a pharmacy program in Ho Chi Minh City but eventually chose a different path, becoming a freelance artist. Since 2018, her portraits and illustrations of people and pets have gained significant recognition, enabling her to turn her passion into a livelihood.
Thu’s modest room in Binh Chanh District is adorned with vibrant, lively paintings that mirror her love for life and the world around her.
A commitment to her work and community
In addition to her art, Thu supports herself by selling vegetarian bánh mì (Vietnamese sandwiches). Her sandwiches have gained a following not only for their taste but also for the radiant smile with which she serves them.
Dedicated to her work, Thu begins her day at 4 a.m., preparing the ingredients she buys fresh the previous afternoon. By 7 a.m., her sandwiches are ready for sale, each one carefully wrapped in an environmentally friendly paper bag with a handwritten note of encouragement.
"I love every job I do and feel fortunate to have the health to work and live independently," Thu shared.
Thu confidently appears on social media.
Inspiring through social media
Thu’s unwavering spirit extends to social media, where she uses the nickname "Co Khuyet" (Miss Imperfect) to embrace and celebrate her uniqueness. Her TikTok channel, launched two years ago, has amassed over 200,000 followers and 7 million likes.
Initially, Thu posted videos showcasing her drawings, bánh mì sales, and snippets of her daily life. Over time, she expanded her content to include fashion, confidently presenting various styles and outfits despite her initial fears of criticism due to her appearance.
As expected, Thu encountered negative comments, with some people making unkind remarks. "At first, it hurt a lot, and I cried often. I knew putting myself out there on social media would bring different opinions, but it was still painful," she recalled. Fortunately, the support of a close friend helped her regain confidence.
She is grateful for the affection she receives from everyone.
On the other hand, Thu received an outpouring of positive feedback, with many praising her cheerful demeanor and inspirational content. She treasures these supportive messages, especially one that stood out: "Your positive video just saved my life," a viewer wrote, explaining that they had been struggling with life’s challenges but felt renewed hope after watching Thu’s video.
Messages like these drive Thu to continue creating and sharing content, hoping to entertain, uplift, and inspire others to cherish life and persevere through adversity.
Vietnamnet.vn
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