In a first for Vietnamese cinema, actress and beauty queen Nguyễn Thúc Thùy Tiên has been digitally replaced by an AI-generated actor in the upcoming film Chốt đơn (“Closing the Deal”) following her arrest in May.
On August 4, the film’s production team held a press screening in Ho Chi Minh City after a nearly two-month delay. Thùy Tiên, who played the lead role of Hoàng Linh—a dynamic CEO of a livestream sales company—was originally featured in approximately 70% of the film’s scenes. However, after she was detained for allegedly deceiving customers under Article 198 of Vietnam’s Penal Code, producers opted for a groundbreaking solution: using artificial intelligence to recreate her character.
AI Replaces Lead Role in Groundbreaking Move
Directors Bảo Nhân and Nam Cito confirmed that digital human technology was used to fully generate a new version of the character, including her face and body. Initially hesitant about using AI due to concerns over realism, the filmmakers were ultimately impressed by test footage provided by the VFX team.
Thùy Tiên’s voice was also replaced in post-production, with actress Huỳnh Bảo Ngọc providing the dubbed lines. The final result retains some resemblance to the original actress, though viewers noted the digital character’s facial expressions were less lifelike, especially in close-ups and fast-paced scenes.
Despite the digital replacement, the story and 113-minute runtime of the film remain unchanged. The production’s legal representative stated that removing Thùy Tiên’s name from marketing materials did not violate any personality rights, as her likeness had been completely removed from the final version.
Studio Faced Tough Decision
Chốt đơn is Thùy Tiên’s second film appearance. According to Galaxy Studio CEO Đinh Thị Thanh Hương, the team initially considered canceling the project altogether. “This film is the result of 200 days of hard work and sweat from the entire crew,” she said. “We decided to move forward despite the challenges.”
The replacement process added significant production costs and delayed promotional efforts. The film is set to premiere on August 8.
Story Explores E-Commerce and Livestream Culture
The film follows the story of Hoàng Linh (originally played by Thùy Tiên), the head of an online sales company, and An (played by Quyền Linh), a motorbike ride-hailing driver. The cast also features veteran actors Hồng Đào, Hồng Vân, and younger talents such as Khương Lê, Lê Lộc, Mai Bảo Vinh, Đỗ Nhật Hà, and child actress Mộc Trà. Chốt đơn is the first Vietnamese feature film to explore the growing livestream e-commerce industry.
Legal Troubles Impact Career and Partnerships
Thùy Tiên was taken into custody by the Ministry of Public Security’s investigative agency (C01) for her alleged involvement in fraudulent sales related to the Kera candy product, linked to social media influencers Hằng Du Mục and Quang Linh Vlogs. She reportedly held a 30% stake in the company Chị Em Rọt and profited accordingly. Over 135,000 boxes of Kera candy were sold to more than 30,000 customers.
Prior to this, she had already been fined for failing to disclose sponsorship details in her product promotions on social media.
The scandal has led to reputational damage and severed partnerships. French fashion house Dior removed Thùy Tiên from its fanpage after previously naming her a “Friend of the House.” Meanwhile, Chốt đơn‘s producers temporarily shut down the film’s official social media accounts amid public backlash.
Rise and Fall of a Beauty Queen
Nguyễn Thúc Thùy Tiên, 27, from Ho Chi Minh City, was crowned Miss Grand International 2021 in Thailand. The win catapulted her into fame, making her a sought-after brand ambassador and TV personality in Vietnam. In 2024, she starred in Linh Miêu, a horror-comedy directed by Lưu Thành Luân, which grossed over VND 87 billion (approx. USD 3.5 million) despite receiving criticism for its weak script.
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Source: Vietnam Insider