With more than 200 artistes in attendance, the 30th edition of Star Awards was the most star-studded in its history, with the biggest star of the night being Christopher Lee with three wins.
At the awards ceremony held at The Theatre at Mediacorp on July 6, the Malaysian-born local actor was honoured with the Special Achievement Award, presented to him by Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo.
In his acceptance speech, he thanked his wife, fellow actress Fann Wong, 54, and their 10-year-old son Zed. Lee said to Fann, who was seated in the audience: “You received this award a long time ago. You are my inspiration and motivation.”
And to Zed, he added: “I want to raise you to be a good person. Thank you for being my son.”
The 53-year-old also nabbed two more awards: Best Actor for mystery crime series Kill Sera Sera and Best Programme Host for the second season of variety cooking show Dishing With Chris Lee.
When receiving the former, which he won for playing a man whose daughter is found dead and dismembered, said during his speech: “I feel so surprised. Kill Sera Sera is quite a dark production which was difficult to film. I have never acted with the goal of winning awards. To me, what is important is that the audience enjoys the programme, and can connect with it. Thank you for supporting Kill Sera Sera”.
Lee’s Kill Sera Sera co-star, Hong Kong actress Jessica Hsuan, won Best Actress for playing his onscreen wife. The 54-year-old said on stage: “This has been the toughest role I have won in. I have always wanted to be an actress. I hope to present more shows for you to watch.”
Hong Kong superstar Chow Yun Fat, whose last appearance at Star Awards was at its inaugural edition in 1994, presented the trophies to the 20 winners of the Top 10 Most Popular Male and Female Artistes.
The genial 70-year-old celebrity guest dished out hugs and took wefies with the veteran local artistes who attended the 1994 edition, which included Zoe Tay, Li Nanxing, Chen Liping, Pan Lingling and Aileen Tan. He did the same with the winners of the Top 10 Most Popular Female Artistes.
It was also a special night for Yvonne Lim and Pornsak, who won the All-Time Favourite Artiste Award. It is conferred to those who have won a cumulative 10 Top 10 Most Popular Male or Female Artistes accolade.
Pornsak, 43, said: “I know I am not the strongest, but I am the most lucky.”
Lim, 48, attended Star Awards 2025 with her husband, Taiwanese businessman Alex Tien, as well as their son AJ, 10, and daughter Alexa, eight. The family used to live in Taiwan, but returned to Singapore in January.
Lim said: “I have been working and living overseas for more than 10 years. But Singapore has always been where my dream started. I am a normal person. I have to cook and read to my children. And to get your support, I feel very fortunate.”
Cynthia Koh won her first Best Supporting Actress award for the drama Hope Afloat since her acting career started in 1992.
The 51-year-old, who played a woman who quits her job to become a caregiver to her disabled daughter, said: “After working for so long, I have finally reached the end. I have failed before, and questioned myself, but I always told myself not to give up. Thank you to the fans. You are the strength that pushes me to move forward.”
Chen Hanwei clinched his third Best Supporting Actor award for his role as a former convict in the crime drama Unforgivable. The 55-year-old, who also won in the category in 2015 and 2018, said: “Good productions have created us as actors. We will do our best to do right by the company (Mediacorp), and the fans and friends who have supported us. It has been 30 years. Apart from thanks, I have more thanks.” – The Straits Times/Asia News Network
