Dancing Queen marries young protege after rocky 13-year relationship

By Staff reporters   December 22, 2022 | 10:26 pm PT
After 13 years and two children together, dancesport champions Khanh Thi and Phan Hien overcame family objections to their age gap and tied the knot at a boisterous, body-moving ceremony Thursday.
Dancing Queen marries young protege after rocky 13-year relationship

Thi, 41, stunned guests when she appeared in her wedding dress.

She has been dubbed Vietnam's dancesport queen by the media for her great dancing skills and contributions to the country’s dance scene in the 2000s.

She has won many awards throughout her career, including two gold medals when performing with Hien at the 2009 Asian Indoor Games.

Hien, 29, was one of the many students she taught. He won three gold medals in dancesport at the 31st SEA Games held in Hanoi earlier this year.

Dancing Queen marries young protege after rocky 13-year relationship

As she approached the steps to the stage, their elder son ran up to take his mother's hand and lead her to the top.

Due to their age gap, the couple faced strong objections from both families when they first announced their relationship.

Dancing Queen marries young protege after rocky 13-year relationship

Hien cried on stage when their son handed his mother over to him by putting her hand in his. The two also have a daughter together.

Dancing Queen marries young protege after rocky 13-year relationship

The couple kissed each other to ringing cheers from the more than 1,000 guests, including singers and international athletes.

Thi said the wedding was a dream come true and she had been looking forward to this day for a long time.

Dancing Queen marries young protege after rocky 13-year relationship

Mondolvans Gabriele Goffredo and Anna Matus, a pair of dancesport grandmasters from the World Dancesport Federation who won the World Latin Champion in 2017, were among the invited guests. They have been close to the Vietnamese couple for many years.

Dancing Queen marries young protege after rocky 13-year relationship

The Moldovan pair also performed at the event.

Thi said despite their busy schedule, Goffredo and Mats took time from their busy schedule to fly to Vietnam to congratulate her and Hien. The two were also Hien's dance teachers for many years.

Gabriele Goffredo and Anna Matus bust out dance moves at Thi and Hien's wedding. Video by VnExpress/Hoang Dung

Dancing Queen marries young protege after rocky 13-year relationship

The couple's son and his partner also showed off their dance moves.

Dancing Queen marries young protege after rocky 13-year relationship

The pair pose with their 7-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter.

In addition to competing, the couple is also active in show business, participating in many game shows and events. The pair has also opened a dance training center in HCMC.

Khanh Thi and Phan Hien dance together at their wedding ceremony in HCMC on December 22, 2022. Video by VnExpress/Maison de Bil

 
 
go to top