'I thought I was a forgotten actress': Apple Hong touched by supporters' messages after Star Awards' popularity nomination, Entertainment News
When Apple Hong received a congratulatory text from her BFF, actress Priscelia Chan, about two weeks ago, she was puzzled.
"I was having dinner outside when Priscelia texted me, saying, 'Hey Apple, congrats, we can go together.' Then I was like, 'What congrats? Go together where?'" the 46-year-old actress recounted in a recent interview with AsiaOne.
As it turned out, the nominees for Star Awards 2025 Top 10 Most Popular Artistes had just been announced and Apple, who last received a Star Awards nomination for Best Newcomer in 1999, had made the list.
She told us she had been invited by Mediacorp a few months ago to participate in the category but wasn't sure if it was "confirmed".
She added: "[At the time], I was thinking, 'Why not for fun?"
"Acting for me is on a project basis now when I feel there are certain roles that are quite fun. It's not a full-time job for me anymore after I left a decade ago... I gave my photo to Mediacorp thinking that it might just be for a survey. I also didn't really think much about it and the first person who informed me about my nomination was Priscelia actually."
Apple debuted in Singapore showbiz in 1999 after clinching first runner-up in the Malaysian edition of Star Search that year and was offered a contact by Television Corporation of Singapore (TCS, now Mediacorp).
Over the years, she performed many memorable characters on screen, including dramas In Pursuit of Peace (2001), Heroes in Black (2001), Eternity: A Chinese Ghost Story (2003), The Little Nyonya (2008) and Joys of Life (2012). She left the broadcaster in 2011 after completing her contract to further her acting career in China.
The top 10 most popular nomination this year marks Apple's first in the Star Awards category and she said she was "very surprised and happy" when she first heard the good news.
"For me, it's like going to a big party with my good friends," she laughed.
Despite that, Apple leaves it to fate when it comes to winning the award.
"Actually, I don't have huge hopes of going up on stage, to be honest. But also at the same time, there may be a slim chance, I might get lucky from those who supported me," she said.
She also expressed her appreciation towards her supporters.
Apple said: "I feel grateful and happy because some of my close friends, family members and fans left comments or privately texted me after they knew of my nomination and said they voted for me. I felt very touched by their messages, because I wasn't involved in Star Awards for so many years; it was never my thing.
"I thought I was a forgotten actress. The encouragement and lovely and warm messages that I received from my friends, family and fans made me feel that I really gained something regardless of whether I got the award or not." 'It's a happy surprise when you have the least expectations'
We also spoke about her career in local showbiz, including the time when she played memorable roles such as the antagonist Huang Meiyu in The Little Nyonya (2008) but didn't receive a nomination in the awards.
Apple recounted: "I remember I was disappointed, because when I acted in The Little Nyonya, I was still a contract artiste with Mediacorp. To be able to participate in The Little Nyonya and main roles in other dramas over the years, I do feel that the company had given me opportunities. But I just didn't get nominated in the popularity category, so there were definitely times when I felt disappointed and wondered why.
"But it could also be because my character in The Little Nyonya wasn't likeable, so it's probably understandable why I wasn't nominated."
She added that she had also wondered whether the audiences liked her as an actress.
When asked if she still had these doubts now, Apple explained: "No, I have matured mentally and learnt to take it easily. I don't take this so seriously now and I treat it normally, leaving it up to fate. It might be good if I gained it, but even if I don't, it's also not a bad thing...
"To me, it's most important to live healthily and happily now, so whether I have the award or not, it doesn't matter much to me anymore. My emotions wouldn't be affected by it."
She is looking forward to attending the Star Awards this year, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary.
She laughed: "I feel like I have been 'revived'; to be able to attend the awards again, I'm quite happy about it. It's a happy surprise when you have the least expectations. I look forward to attending the award ceremony with my friends, to dress beautifully, walk the red carpet and present my best self to everyone. This is also to show my respect for the ceremony.
"Another thing I am happy about is that it's the show's 30th anniversary. I came to Singapore in 2000 and it has been 25 years. I feel that it's good timing to be able to attend this show. It's not about whether I win an award or not but being a part of Singapore's showbiz." View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Apple Hong 洪乙心 (@applehong)
You can vote for the Star Awards Top 10 Most Popular Male and Female Artistes from now till July 6, 4.30pm on the Mediacorp website. Voters can make up to 10 votes per account, per award category, per day. On July 6 from 12am to 7.30pm, voters can make unlimited votes for each category.
Star Awards 2025 will be presented on July 6, starting from Backstage Live at 3.30pm to 10.30pm, Walk of Fame from 5pm to 6.30pm, the awards show from 7pm to 10pm and Post-Party from 10pm to 10.30pm.
Backstage Live will air on Mewatch and the Mediacorp Entertainment YouTube channel, while Walk of Fame and the awards show will air on Channel 8, Channel U, Mewatch and the Mediacorp Entertainment YouTube channel.
Post-Party will air on Channel U, Mewatch and the Mediacorp Entertainment YouTube channel.
[[nid:718328]]
yeo.shuhui@asiaone.com
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