More Than a Beautiful Face

Aug 21

I am a Hmong woman and a very proud one at that. In this day and age, I believe Hmong women have evolved so greatly and a big part of that is knowing and believing deep inside us that we are valuable and we bring great strengths to the Hmong community.

Written by my strong-willed and talented sister, Nancy Xiong, recording “Lub Ntsej Muag Zoo Nkauj” (“More Than a Beautiful Face”) brought great pleasure to my heart. It is, by far, one of my most favorite songs to perform onstage. And I know Nancy and I felt many Hmong women would be able to relate and connect to this song when we collaborated. What I didn’t realize was that I would discover myself through this song by performing it for other Hmong women. When I look into their eyes and sing these words with my whole heart,

I am home.

At every performance, every encounter online, the women I meet remind me that we, as Hmong women, are more than a beautiful face.

Peb zoo tshaj ib lub ntsej muag zoo nkauj.
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To listen, click here.

“Lub Ntsej Muag Zoo Nkauj”
Lyrics by Nancy Xiong

Thaum koj saib kuv ob lub qhov muag
Thaum koj saib kuv daim di ncauj
Thaum koj saib txhua yam

Thaum koj siv sijhawm hu tuaj
Thaum koj xav hnov kuv lub suab
Thov paub hais tias

Kuv yog ib tug ntxhais muaj nuj nqis
Kuv yog ib tug ntxhais muaj siab muaj ntsws
Kuv yog ib tug ntxhais xav tau lus zoo
Kuv yog ib tug ntxhais xav tau kev kaj siab
Vim kuv zoo tshaj ib lub ntsej muag zoo nkauj

Thaum koj xav txog kuv thiab koj ua ke
Thaum koj xav tau kuv los ua koj li
Thaum koj xav txog kuv

Thaum koj yuav ntxias kom tau kuv xwb
Thaum koj yuav los hais lus qab zib
Nco ntsoov hais tias

Kuv yuav yog tus nrog koj nyob
Txog qab ntuj kawg
Kuv yuav yog nruab qaim hli
Thaum koj ntuj tsaus
Thaum koj ntuj tsaus

Pagnia Xiong

Pagnia Xiong is an internationally recognized Hmong-American singer, actor, and creative producer. A self-taught artist, Pagnia has spent nearly two decades using her music to empower women, promote self-love, and inspire the pursuit of dreams. Her albums and performances have reached hundreds of thousands worldwide, and she's made history as the first Hmong-American female music artist to perform at a major U.S. league sporting event. Beyond music, Pagnia is an accomplished actor, making her main stage debut with Theater Mu to critical acclaim. She recently headlined her first solo concert at the Ordway and launched a Hmong Music Mentorship program in 2025.

http://www.pagniaxiong.com

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