Recently, the article "Vietnamese Stars Earning Up to $86,000 Per Show" stirred up a lot of diverse opinions. Many readers felt that singers these days are making easy money, with just one night's work equaling the savings of an average person over several years. Others questioned whether the figures were exaggerated, suspecting the stars were inflating the numbers.

Insiders clarify that phrases like "million-dollar fees" may sound straightforward, but they represent the result of years of hard work and dedication by top celebrities.

The reality behind million-dollar fees

It is important to note that not every singer commands fees in the millions. In Vietnam, there are only a handful of "S-tier" celebrities who can reach that level of earning.

The process of performing is far from simply showing up, singing, and taking the money. Behind each performance lies the coordination of a team of at least five to six people, including managers, assistants, makeup artists, stylists, and media professionals.

Today, most top-tier artists either operate or are managed by agencies. For instance, the management team of a popular female singer typically costs around $4,200 a month, adding up to about $43,000 a year.

The better the team, the higher the costs. In some cases, a male S-tier singer may even have to support an entire management group.

"Even if someone charges $43,000 per performance, if they only perform two shows a month, there isn’t much left after expenses," said a media manager who wished to remain anonymous.

High fees come with high demands. One male singer who charges an average of $52,000 per show has a contractual obligation to ensure social media virality.

"He doesn’t just do random stunts whenever he appears. There are requirements he has to fulfill for sponsors," said an expert.

This expert also noted that being a singer requires constant progress; there is no room to slow down. Many singers sell assets, such as houses and land, to fund new music projects. While some see this as dedication, the reality is they have no other choice.

The expert shared, "Vietnamese artists often rely on brand sponsorships rather than direct sales of their products because audiences aren’t willing to spend money, and copyright issues remain a hassle. However, they still have to keep producing new work to secure sponsorship deals."

On average, producing a music video (MV) costs anywhere from $21,000 to $43,000, and creating a full album can exceed $43,000. For a mid-level singer, organizing a press conference and media promotions alone costs about $12,600. Meanwhile, A and S-tier artists engage in more extensive social media battles, with production costs sometimes doubling, reaching as much as $107,000 or more.

New songs cost around $10,000 (approximately $254,000) before additional expenses for arrangements and copyright fees are included. Further costs like wardrobe, travel, and food are also factored in.

Many singers risk their entire savings, yet the returns on their projects are often disappointing in the highly competitive market.

One singer spent hundreds of thousands on designer outfits, but their MV garnered fewer than a million views. Another artist, L., invested over $43,000 on live sessions with a full band, only to see it barely make a ripple.

In the past two years, barring A+ and S-tier stars, most singers have found it nearly impossible to secure sponsorship deals. In some cases, brands demanded so much that the singers, unwilling to compromise on artistic standards, had to walk away from deals.

Value for money

From an industry perspective, songwriter Nguyen Van Chung believes that the phenomenon of S-tier stars commanding high fees is "nothing to debate."

"The rules of 'you get what you pay for' and 'where there is demand, there is supply' apply. These substantial fees reflect the immense value that artists bring, while brands benefit in equal or greater measure," he said.

According to Nguyen Van Chung, higher earnings come with greater responsibility. Singers must honor their commitments to clients, fulfill tax obligations, and thus contribute to the nation's development.

"We should only criticize high incomes when they are obtained through illegal means. It’s unfair to disparage those who have worked hard to build their brand, reaching the top of their field and earning what their clients are willing to pay," he stated.

Nguyen Van Chung disagreed with the term "overpriced" as well. "Every individual has the right to set their own value, and customers have the right to decide if they want to pay it. This is a natural aspect of society," he added.

Bich Hop