Latest news with #StarAwards2025
AsiaOne
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- AsiaOne
Not nominated for Star Awards' Best Audio Personality but Dennis Chew says The Breakfast Quartet 'should be confident of ourselves'
They've won Best Radio Programme for four years consecutively, but the four DJs in local radio station Love 972's The Breakfast Quartet were surprisingly left out of the Best Audio Personality nominations in Star Awards 2025. Two of the DJs, Dennis Chew and Mark Lee, told AsiaOne in a recent interview that it's not something they worry about. The other two DJs in the team are Marcus Chin and Chen Biyu. Mark, 56, shared: "I feel that the main reason for us not being nominated is because the judges have different preferences for the styles that each DJ presents. "It could be a coincidence that this year's judges are a little 'stricter', so 'innocent and cute' DJs like us are not nominated. But it's okay, because the judges are different every year." Dennis, 51, said: "I feel that it doesn't matter whether we are nominated or not. Most importantly, we should be confident of ourselves, just like how the four of us feel that we are good enough and that's sufficient." The nominees this year are Yes 933 DJs Chen Ning, Hazelle Teo, Kenneth Chung and Zhu Zeliang as well as Capital 958 DJ Pan Jia Biao. In response to queries from AsiaOne, a Mediacorp spokesperson said that as with all Star Awards' programme and performance awards, the nominees for Best Audio Personality are determined by a panel consisting of industry veterans and established media practitioners who would evaluate everyone who is eligible with a standard set of criteria. They added: "Given how competitive this award is, not being nominated in any given year does not necessarily take away from the calibre of their work nor their popularity. "The Breakfast Quartet remains a contender in the Best Radio Programme category, testament to the enduring excellence the show continues to deliver daily." The quartet won the above category for four consecutive years from 2021 to 2024. This year, Dennis' programme Mr Zhou's Ghost Stories is also in the running. On whether they feel pressured to continue winning the award this year, both of them said the achievement doesn't affect their emotions. Dennis shared: "To be honest, we didn't expect to go on stage to receive the award. It's a surprise to us every year. So whether or not there is any surprise this year, we would feel the same way." "If we can receive it for another year, it's the best, but even if we didn't get it this year, it's okay also. Most importantly, it's whether the judges like it or not, because the judges are different every year. If we are awarded again this year, then 'Oh dear, we are the first again!'" Mark quipped. Both Mark and Dennis received their All-Time Favourite Artiste award in 2010 and 2022 respectively. The award is given to artistes who have won the Top 10 Most Popular Artiste honour 10 times. When asked which artistes they wish to see joining them at the 'altar', Dennis shared that he hopes actor-host Guo Liang — who has been in local showbiz for three decades — would bag the award soon, because he "truly deserves it". For Mark, it would be Marcus, 70, who debuted in local showbiz in the 1970s. He quipped: "I looked at his fortunes before and concluded he can live till about 95 years old, so if he receives his 10th Top 10 award before 90 and goes up the 'altar', I think it's not bad because he is really very hardworking." You can vote for the Star Awards Top 10 Most Popular Male and Female Artistes from now till July 6, 7.30pm 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. [[nid:719280]] No part of this article can be reproduced without permission from AsiaOne.
AsiaOne
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- AsiaOne
Zen Chong looks back on 'stuck' showbiz career, says without luck, 'no matter how hard you try, you also cannot get it', Entertainment News
Many would regard ruthless businessman Robert Zhang from The Little Nyonya (2008) as an iconic Singapore drama villain. But despite his popularity, the same cannot be said of Singapore-based Malaysian actor Zen Chong who brought him to life. The 46-year-old, who is nominated for Star Awards 2025 Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes, told AsiaOne in an interview recently that while he enjoys acting very much, sometimes it's takes more than just passion and talent to make it a career. "It's all about luck and I think it really plays a very important role. It's like, if fate doesn't align at the moment and it (an acting opportunity) doesn't belong to you, no matter how hard you try, you also cannot get it," he said. Zen made his Singapore showbiz debut in 2001 after he finished third place in the Malaysian edition of Star Search that year. Besides playing Robert in The Little Nyonya, he's also known for playing convenient store staff Hong Daji in local Mandarin sitcom Lobang King (2003), which stars Chew Chor Meng and the late Huang Wenyong. Zen told us that luck was what helped him land the role of Robert, a character so iconic that people on the streets — even in China — still call him by that name. However, despite the success of the drama and his role, he found that his acting career became stagnant. "My career got stuck after The Little Nyonya. It wasn't booming despite what others thought. So, I decided to take a part-time job as a property agent. I felt insecure [about my showbiz career], so I needed to do something else," Zen shared. He elaborated: "There wasn't an increase in my salary and acting opportunities. I thought to myself that it was time to assess my acting career." Zen became a part-time property agent in 2012, juggling his acting career until his contract with Mediacorp ended in 2014. Despite being a public figure, Zen said he went "all in" in his new career: "I didn't care that I was an artiste and needed to protect my image. When working in the estate market, I really ' chiong ' (go for it)." He was involved in many aspects of the job including showroom sales, distributing flyers in malls and meeting potential buyers, who frequently recognised him. "I was still young then, so I had to try everything," he added. Zen now owns his own company Crescere Asset Management, where he is involved in financial management, including assets and funds. When asked if he had felt it was a pity that his acting career didn't flourish, he said: "Whether it's a pity or not, it's not my call. I like to act, but luck plays a very important part. My social skills weren't so good in the past." Zen still acts on a project basis nowadays, including as swimming coach Yan Qingheng in sports-romance drama Hope Afloat (2024) and upcoming dystopian-crime series The Leftovers (2026). He shared: "Acting is a platform for me to destress, because I am very stressed in my other career. When I am acting, I can play another person and unload my emotions through the character." Voting for Star Awards Top 10 Most Popular Male and Female Artistes is now available till July 6, 7.30pm 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. The awards show and Walk of Fame 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, while Backstage Live will air on the latter two platforms. [[nid:719173]] No part of this article can be reproduced without permission from AsiaOne.
CNA
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- CNA
Star Awards 2025: Hong Kong actor Sean Lau presenting, Chantalle Ng hosting, Kit Chan performing
Hong Kong actor Sean Lau and Singaporean singer Kit Chan will be presenting awards and performing, respectively, at Mediacorp's Star Awards 2025 happening on Jul 6. Emerald Hill – The Little Nyonya Story actress Chantalle Ng will be making her hosting debut at the award show's 30th edition. Ng has also scored her third nomination for Best Actress this year. With an acting career spanning over four decades, Lau holds the record for the most Best Actor nominations at the Hong Kong Film Awards. His most recent role in the critically lauded Papa (2024) saw him sweeping wins for Best Actor at the 43rd Hong Kong Film Awards, 31st Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards and 18th Asian Film Awards. Meanwhile, Chan, who recently lent her voice to Emerald Hill – The Little Nyonya Story with the song Echoes Of Petals, also has three Star Awards Best Theme Song wins to her name, for My Home Affairs in 2000, Devotion in 2012 and The Dream Makers 2 in 2016. Co-hosting alongside Ng at the Star Awards this year is veteran actor-host Guo Liang – making this his 16th Star Awards hosting gig, more than anyone else to date. Before the main event, viewers can also enjoy the red carpet Walk of Fame as a 'Fashion Squad' – comprising hosts Dennis Chew, Herman Keh, Hazelle Teo and Denise Camillia Tan – will be interviewing arrivals on their pre-show nerves and 30 years of memories. Editors of fashion and beauty publications Icon and Nuyou will also offer live commentary on standout looks and style risks, while fans can vote for the Best Dressed celebrities of the night. Backstage Live will also return with radio station Yes 933's The Daka Show anchors Jeff Goh, Chen Ning and Gao Mei Gui at the helm, where audiences can enjoy a real-time, all-access pass to behind-the-scenes artiste prep, instant reactions and unscripted moments as results roll in. Throughout the show, viewers can also expect to participate in interactive polls and for hosts to respond to their comments on the Mediacorp Entertainment YouTube Channel and Mediacorp Yes 933's TikTok livestream in real-time.
AsiaOne
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- AsiaOne
'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]] No part of this article can be reproduced without permission from AsiaOne.
The Star
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Singaporean actress Pan Lingling's son graduates with first-class honours
Pan Lingling takes to Instagram to express her support for her son, Beckham Wee. With them is her husband, veteran actor Huang Shinan. Photo: Pan Lingling/Instagram Mediacorp actress Pan Lingling is a proud mum. In her Instagram post on June 3, the 54-year-old wrote: 'The proudest moment in my life. To my firstborn, we see your effort. We know your hard work. We feel your dedication.' The sequence of photos showed Pan's son, Beckham Wee, clad in his graduation gown. The 25-year-old, who had just graduated from Singapore University of Technology and Design, was seen giving his mother a peck on the cheek. Pan, glamorous in a full-length green toga dress, was beaming as she held a balloon with the words, 'Happy Graduation'. Pan's husband, actor Huang Shinan, 64, was shown resting his chin on his son's shoulder. 'Today, we witness your achievements. Son, you are our pride. So proud of you,' Pan wrote in the post. Pan and Huang, who tied the knot in 1997, have a younger son Kynaston, 23. Previously, Huang took a 10-year break from show business to take care of their children. His first drama after his decade-long hiatus was Never Too Late (2024), which saw him and Pan playing a married couple. Huang has also been nominated in the Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes category for the first time in the upcoming Star Awards 2025 on July 6. Pan has six Top 10 Most Popular Female Artistes awards to her name. She also won the Best Actress in a Supporting Role title twice at the Asian Television Awards for Breakout (2010 to 2011) and A Song To Remember (2011). Fellow stars Christopher Lee, Chen Xiuhuan, Xiang Yun, Aileen Tan and Huang Biren have expressed their joy for the family with a slew of congratulatory messages in the comments section. – The Straits Times/Asia News Network
