MT Pop, whose real name is Nguyễn Vũ Minh Tuấn, is a Vietnamese professional dancer and the 2024 Red Bull Dance Your Style World Champion. But going from late-night sessions in Saigon’s public parks to standing ovations on the world stage, MT Pop’s rise to becoming the 2024 Red Bull Dance Your Style World Champion isn’t just about winning—it’s about storytelling, soul, and staying grounded.

When we meet him in Singapore, he’s still glowing from his recent win in Mumbai. “For me, it’s really comfortable because Singapore is the first country I came to [after Vietnam]… and we know the war—what it meant for our countries and how it shaped our histories—but I have a lot of friends here. So for me, Singapore is like a second home,” he shares with quiet sincerity.

His return coincided with a major moment for Singapore’s own street dance scene: the first-ever Red Bull Dance Your Style Singapore National Finals. Held on April 5 at the Sports Hub Visitor Centre, the event brought together the nation’s top freestyle dancers and marked the Lion City’s debut in the Red Bull global dance series. MT Pop was joined by international dance icons like SonLam, the US Champion, and Xelyna, the 2023 World Final Shining Star, to help uplift and inspire the local community. “This is the first time Singapore is hosting Red Bull Dance Your Style to qualify for the world finals in October,” MT Pop shared. “I think it’s a big chance, a big opportunity for the Singapore dance community here. So I’m really happy about that.”

Reflecting on the finals, he says, “Everyone has a different goal, different energy for the final. But for me, it’s exciting. It’s like a big party for dancers. The crowd in India was crazy—cheering, clapping, shouting your name even if they’d never met you. They really support and bring the energy.”

On stage, MT Pop doesn’t just dance. He communicates. Whether it’s a high-energy hit or a slow, introspective track, he’s fully immersed. “Some music, I don’t even know the song. But I bring my own story to it,” he says. “When I hear the music, I have a conversation with it, with the people around me. I don’t think, I just feel.”

Dance, for him, is emotional honesty. It’s not about performing perfectly—it’s about being present. “You don’t need to say the story correctly. You just need to feel it. You just need to move. You just need to mean it. If the audience gets it, that’s enough. If not, we do it again next time.”

He describes his approach as almost meditative. “When I dance, I go somewhere else. It’s like being in a dream. Sometimes I cry, but I’m smiling. Sometimes I smile, but I’m hurting. The music brings out what’s real. That’s what I follow.”

Growing up in Saigon, MT Pop began dancing secretly. “I hid from my parents at first. I finished my homework and practiced alone at home. When they came back, I didn’t show them right away. But later, I did—and once they saw dancing wasn’t turning me into a troublemaker, they supported me.”

In those early days, it wasn’t about studios or sponsorships. “We practiced in parks. We had community places. Sometimes we rented studios, but every night, you could find dancers out in Saigon, dancing together. That’s how the culture grew.” He looks back with pride at that time, noting how the community of dancers supported each other in their shared passion. “It was a family. We didn’t have much—no fancy studios or gear—but we had each other. That was all we needed.”

Even today, with trophies in hand and thousands of followers online, MT Pop is still that same kid in the park. “My crew in Vietnam still sees me the same way. When I go back, I’m still just a kid for my mom,” he laughs. “People say I’m famous now, but I never changed.”

His philosophy on practice is telling. “For me, I don’t prepare just for competitions. I practice every day because I love dancing. Many people wait until a competition is near. But by then, you’re already late. If you love it, you’re always ready.”

When asked about the pressure to keep improving and raising the bar, he nods thoughtfully. “Every time I step on stage, there’s a part of me that’s nervous, not because I’m afraid to fail, but because I know there’s always something more I can give. It’s not about being perfect, it’s about how much heart you put into it.”

MT Pop is acutely aware of the weight that fame brings. “Now it’s not the teacher or professor judging me—it’s the crowd, the audience. It’s a big responsibility. But you can’t let that control you. If you’re too focused on the outside, you lose yourself. I just focus on being myself. If people feel it, great. If not, that’s okay—we try again.”

For MT Pop, success is measured in moments of connection. “Some of the best dancers I know have never won a competition. But when people watch them dance, they fall in love. That’s the win. When you dance and make someone happy, that’s the big win.”

It’s why his performances feel so personal, even spiritual. Watching him is like eavesdropping on a silent, emotional dialogue between the music and his memories. “Sometimes it’s painful, sometimes joyful. But I always bring my own story. Because maybe you’ve been through it too.”

Dancing, to him, is an avenue for release. “Sometimes it’s therapy,” he says, his voice softening. “I don’t have to keep things inside anymore. I let it all go. The sadness, the anger, the joy. It all comes out in the movement. It helps me survive, it helps me heal.” He pauses before continuing, “And now I want to pass that healing on. If my dance can help someone else let go of their pain, then I’m doing something right.”

The Red Bull platform has helped expand his reach, and true to their tagline, have given him ‘wings’. “I’m really thankful. Before, I only had my own experiences. Now, I can collect more. I travel, I share, I learn.” But with fame comes awareness, and MT Pop remains cautious. “With more fame, I remind myself: don’t let ego take over. I only bring my ego when I need it—when I perform. The rest of the time, I need to listen, learn, and stay grounded.”

He sees each new project as an opportunity to evolve. “Every new song is like meeting a new person. You listen, you learn, and you find a way to communicate. Sometimes we argue—because music has its own language—but over time, we get to understand each other. It’s a relationship.”

MT Pop is quick to share that being successful in the dance world isn’t about perfection. “I’ve learned that it’s not about being the best dancer. It’s about being present. Whether you’re in front of thousands of people or just a few, the point is to be in the moment. Dance from your heart. That’s what people connect to. It’s not the moves, it’s the feeling behind them.”

And what about criticism? He smiles. “People will always talk. But I don’t take it personally. You don’t live with me. I meet you just once. I still live my life.” His easygoing attitude toward feedback stems from a deeper understanding of the fleeting nature of fame. “Everything passes. Winning, losing—it’s just a moment. What matters is being happy with what you did, knowing you were true to yourself.”

As he continues to represent a growing Southeast Asian dance scene, MT Pop carries more than just his crew or his country—he carries a movement that honors emotion, storytelling, and staying true. He doesn’t just want to win competitions; he wants to leave a lasting impact.

“You just have to be ready. When the moment comes, be there. Be yourself. And dance—just like that kid in the park who never stopped moving. Because this isn’t just about me. It’s about everyone who has a story to tell. It’s about sharing that story with the world.”

More information about Red Bull Dance Your Style available here