Singer promqueen infuses music with Vietnamese family, culture

Vietnamese American artist promqueen is making her mark as a rising star by infusing her songs with personal anecdotes of her family and Vietnamese traditions. 

Born and raised in Texas, promqueen, or Casie Luong, said she grew up with an expectation to assimilate into her hometown community which was mostly white, Texas Standard noted. Explaining that she was never popular at her school and never got the chance to be the prom queen, she reclaimed this title when she made it her stage name. 

“[I want] everybody to feel like they can be their own prom queen, be their own unique self and be celebrated,” said promqueen, Texas Standard reported. “That’s really what I’ve reflected on what it means for me.”

As a queer musician in Austin, Texas, promqueen said her artist name reflects her “cultural coming out,” explaining the importance of her family history, personal anecdotes and being bilingual in shaping her musical identity. 

promqueen was named the KUTX May Artist of the Month, according to KUTX. She will be releasing an album this June, following her debut EP szn one in June 2023, which depicts her experience as a child of immigrant parents. 

Besides music, she serves as Community Programs Coordinator for the Austin Asian American Film Festival and helps with events dedicated to celebrating AAPI heritage. 

“The name ‘promqueen’ is a nod to prom culture and the pressure to conform to traditional beauty standards. However, promqueen takes this stereotype and turns it on its head, using her music as a vehicle for self-expression and empowerment,” reads a review on Eat This Music. “By sharing her Vietnamese heritage and queer identity through her music, she is paving the way for a new generation of Asian American artists.”