From The Straits Times    |

The Star Awards, also known as the yearly highlight of Singapore showbiz, has just wrapped up last evening.

For those who’ve missed the buzz, fear not as we bring to you some of the best must-knows from the ceremony. Scroll away!

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The highs

1. Zoe Tay bags Best Actress

Photo: Kow Wesley Thaddeus

It hasn’t been an easy wait for Ah Jie Zoe Tay. After all, 21 years have passed since her last Best Actress win in 1996.

That year, her role in the iconic drama The Golden Pillow (co-starring fellow Ah Jie Fann Wong) won her the Best Actress trophy and further cemented her Ah Jie status.  

However, luck hadn’t been on her side in the many years of Star Awards that followed.

Related: WATCH: Zoe Tay’s obsessed with THIS new beauty product

The high profile actress was nominated for the acting award for a grand total of 11 times and this year, she’s finally bagged her second win for her role as a cancer-stricken nurse manager in You Can Be An Angel 2.

Accepting her award last night at the broadcaster’s campus at one-north, Tay jokingly said to the trophy: “Where have you been? I’ve waited for you for so many years!”     

Meanwhile, her best friend and fellow actor Chen Hanwei also picked up the Best Actor Award.

2. The Best Evergreen Veteran award goes to Xiang Yun

Photo: Kow Wesley Thaddeus

Known for her acting chops, actress Xiang Yun proved to us once again that experience matters when it comes to acting. Last evening, the All-Time Favourite Artiste beat nominees Aileen Tan, Chen Shu Cheng, Hong Hui Fang and Rayson Tan and walked home with the Best Evergreen Veteran award.

Even though her hubby and former actor Edmund Chen wasn’t at the ceremony, the actress was more than happy that her children Chen Yixin and Chen Yi Xi were there to accompany her.

3. Aileen Tan wins Best Supporting Actress

Photo: Mediacorp

This year’s ceremony is especially heartening because majority of the major acting awards were awarded to the veteran actors and actresses. Joining Zoe Tay, Chen Hanwei and Xiang Yun in last night’s award winners was Aileen Tan.  

After winning second place in the Star Search competition in 1988, Tan went on to film many iconic television series including Good Morning, Sir, New Brave World and Double Happiness.

The experienced actress had also participated in local English dramas such as Red Thread and Mata Mata. Her role in 2016 drama Hero (starring Shaun Chen, Chen Hanwei and Jesseca Liu) won the hearts of the judges and earned her the Best Supporting Actress trophy.

4. Goddess Krystal Jung descends in Singapore

Photo: Mediacorp

South Korean singer and Etude house ambassador Krystal Jung had specially flown in to attend the Star Awards Ceremony 2017. Earlier in the day, Jung was spotted at Etude House’s flagship store at Wisma Atria for a fan meet-and-greet.

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Always a shining superstar where she is, Jung stepped onto the black carpet (yes, this year’s Star Awards ceremony swapped the red for black) in a traffic-stopping yellow number.

The bright pop of colour, together with the knee-grazing hemline ensured that she stood out in the most feminine and fabulous way.

The lows

1. Aden Chen drops a tear (or two)


Photo: Mediacorp

Nominated for the Best Supporting Actor award, Andie Chen brought his three-year-old son Aden Chen to last night’s show. The super adorable and wide-eyed boy walked the black carpet with his daddy and actress Rui En.

Young Aden, who was dressed as stylishly as his dad, was later seen bursting into tears in his dad’s arms when the trio entered the theatre. Perhaps it was the strong lighting, or maybe he missed his mummy Kate Pang who was hosting the red carpet event.

Whatever reason it was, we certainly hope that Aden is feeling better now.  

Related: Singapore actress Rui En apologises on stage during Star Awards 2016 for car accident controversy

2. Missing: Fann Wong, Christopher Lee and Zed

 

A post shared by Fann Wong (@fannaiaiwong) on

In the past few years, Ah Jie Fann Wong has shifted her career focus to mainland China. She’s just wrapped up a new project that she’s working on in Beijing (it’s still hush-hush so there’s no news yet).

Which is why we miss her a lot. Remember the time when she wore lime green shorts to the Star Awards in 1996? Or the sweet (and shy) moments when the hosts teased her and hubby Christopher Lee? We’re totally missing the both of them.

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Fann, who is now managed by Catwalk Asia, was last spotted at the Star Awards ceremony in 2013 when Lee won the Best Actor award. If Fann were to grace the event next year, we’re definitely hoping that she’ll turn up with Lee and their son Zed. Wouldn’t that be so cute?