This July marks the 30th anniversary of Singapore’s iconic Star Awards, the annual ceremony that honors the best in Chinese entertainment. First held in 1994 with just eight awards, the Star Awards have since grown into a grand celebration featuring a broad range of categories and star-studded festivities. The 2025 edition promises a nostalgic journey through three decades of television magic, alongside exciting new faces shaking up the competition.Set to take place on July 6 at The Theatre at Mediacorp, this year’s Star Awards will embrace the theme “Walking Through Time Together,” a fitting tribute to the event’s rich history and ongoing evolution. From legendary artistes returning for a reunion to interactive experiences for viewers, the night is designed to honor the past while spotlighting fresh talent.
Walking through time with the stars
To commemorate three decades of Star Awards, the 2025 ceremony will bring together familiar faces who have long since retired from the screen, reuniting All-Time Favourite Artistes who have made lasting impacts over the years. These veteran stars will join current celebrities and special guests from across Asia, creating a unique blend of nostalgia and contemporary glamour.
The event will feature a live orchestra performing iconic drama theme songs, evoking memories from beloved series that have captivated audiences through the years. Executive producer Jean Toh, Mediacorp’s Vice President of Chinese Entertainment Productions, revealed that the show will also include heartfelt stories and memories shared by artistes past and present. Beyond the stage, viewers will have a chance to participate by sharing their own Star Awards moments, making it a collective celebration of the event’s legacy.
The glitz of the red carpet will be taken up a notch this year, with artistes challenged to showcase their best fashion looks. A “fashion police” element will invite fans to engage through interactive posts and live voting, complemented by a call-in segment offering behind-the-scenes glimpses. The red carpet excitement will be further amplified by a giant Star Awards trophy, 30 times larger than the original, symbolizing the significance of this milestone celebration.
Fresh faces and fierce competition
The nominees for Star Awards 2025 were unveiled on May 20, revealing a compelling mix of established veterans and promising newcomers in the acting categories. The Best Actor lineup features familiar names like Christopher Lee for his role in Kill Sera Sera, Andie Chen (Born to Shine), Qi Yuwu (Once Upon A New Year’s Eve), and Richie Koh (Coded Love). Making his debut nomination is Gavin Teo, recognized for his performance in To Be Loved.
On the female front, Best Actress contenders include Chantalle Ng (Hope Afloat), Felicia Chin (I Do, Do I?), Hong Ling, Jesseca Liu (Unforgivable), and Jessica Hsuan (Kill Sera Sera). The Best Supporting Actor category boasts Guo Liang (To Be Loved), Pierre Png (Moments), Xu Bin (Kill Sera Sera), Chen Hanwei, and Chen Shu Cheng (Unforgivable).
Emerald Hill’s Tasha Low earned her first acting nomination in the Best Supporting Actress category for Coded Love, alongside Cynthia Koh (Hope Afloat), Lynn Lim (Kill Sera Sera), Meixin (Born To Shine), and Ya Hui (Coded Love). Low expressed her surprise and gratitude at the nomination, saying, “When I heard that I was nominated, I asked my manager, ‘Are you sure?’ Because I never thought I’d be nominated for an acting award. I think I still have a lot to improve on, so it’s a real honour.”
The Best Rising Star nominees spotlight fresh talent with Herman Keh, Joey Tay, Juin Teh, Tyler Ten, and Ye Jia Yun all vying for the coveted title. Meanwhile, the crime drama Unforgivable leads the pack with 10 nominations, including Best Drama Serial and Best Theme Song, followed by parenting drama Born to Shine with seven nods.
New twists and audience participation
The 2025 Star Awards will introduce several exciting changes to enhance the experience for both artistes and viewers. Notably, the post-show party returns after a six-year hiatus, offering a rare glimpse into candid backstage moments and spontaneous celebrations.Eligibility criteria for some awards have also evolved. For the first time, nominees for any performance-based award automatically qualify for the Top 10 Most Popular Artistes category in the same year. Additionally, artistes who play a lead or main host role in a series of at least two episodes—or who accumulate at least 13 episodes across multiple roles—are now eligible for this popularity award.
The Most Popular Rising Star award remains reserved for artistes with five or fewer years of experience. However, those who win it three times will now be promoted to compete in the main Top 10 Most Popular Artistes category. Similarly, the Best Rising Star award now allows repeat nominations, provided nominees meet the experience criteria and have not previously won.
Public voting is already underway for the Top 10 Most Popular Male and Female Artistes and the Most Popular Rising Star awards. Voting for other categories will open on May 26, inviting fans to actively shape the outcomes. To sweeten the deal, voters in the BYD Favourite Character categories have a chance to win a BYD Sealion 7, an all-electric SUV valued at S$94,888 (excluding COE). This prize adds an exciting incentive for fans to support their favourite artistes and characters.
The 30th Star Awards is shaping up to be an unforgettable celebration that honors the rich legacy of Singapore’s Chinese entertainment while embracing the future. With a blend of nostalgia, fresh talent, interactive engagement, and memorable performances, this year’s event promises to walk viewers through time together—celebrating past glories and new beginnings in one spectacular night.
