Siu Black, a prominent Vietnamese popular singer from the Central Highlands, has admitted that she owes over VND2.5 billion (USD118,843) after getting into the cafe business.

Siu Black acted as a judge on Vietnamese TV shows

Siu Black graduated from Dak Lak Arts School and joined the Dak Lak Arts Troupe in 1989. She then worked at the Kon Tum Electricity Company from 1993 before finding success as a singer.

She was mentored by Y Moan, a famous E De ethnic musician and singer, and recorded several songs by Nguyen Cuong, who was famous writing music in the regional style of the central highlands. Her renditions of these songs achieved great popularity.

In 2007 she served as a judge on the television programme Vietnam Idol as well as the first Asian Idol competition, held in Indonesia in December of this year.

However the 46-year-old Bahnar ethnic singer got into financial trouble when she decided to open a cafe, using her house in Kon Tum as collateral for a VND700 million (USD33,276) loan. She also borrowed from friends and family to invest a total of around VND1 billion (USD47,537).

When her business started showing signs of trouble she continued borrowing to keep it afloat.

“At first I thought I could use the money I made from singing to cover costs when business wasn't good. But when we had so few customers and I was making less money from my singing career I was forced to borrow at high interest rates," the singer said. "Now I'm at a loss and don't know what to do. Losses keep mounting and my debts for the cafe keep accumulating."

Recently her financial burdens have become so bad that she could not fulfill her debt obligations or keep the cafe running. As a result she resorted to avoiding phone calls from her creditors, causing many to think that she was trying to flee. There were even rumours that she had lost large amounts of money gambling.

Siu Black decided to go to the press on July 24 to explain her situation. "I hope that all those concerned will give me another chance. I am in a very difficult situation as a result of my lack of business experience. It is not that I intended to deceive my creditors," she said.

Siu Black (left) and Phuong Thanh after admitting being in debt

Her close friend and singer, Phuong Thanh has decided to act as Siu Black's manager in order to help with the significant challenges facing the singer, including renegotiating payment plans with creditors and arranging more performances.

“I’ll temporarily act as her manager as no one is willing to help her now.  As far as I know Siu Black’s claim about her debts at VND2.5 billion (USD118,843), not including interest. Hopefully I will be able to convince them to extend payment deadlines and forgive the interest," Phuong Thanh said.

As far as the gambling rumours, Phuong Thanh answered them by admitting that she has known her friend to play cards, but only for recreation and for small sums of money, and that this was not the cause of her financial situation.

She added that there are several tea rooms in HCM City that have offered to organise four Siu Black performances to help her raise funds. The shows may take place in the next ten days, after Siu Black feels better. She has also reportedly had loan offers from well-to-do fans.

“They said they would send money to Vietnam to help Siu Black and perhaps help revive her cafe as well,” she added.

“Siu Black has since returned her hometown in Kon Tum to take a rest. In the end, this can be a lesson for other artists who want to do two things at the same time,” Phuong Thanh commented.