Star Awards 2026 Fashion: Hits, Misses & Chen Hanwei’s Tie-rrible Experiment
Some looks ate. Some left crumbs. And one came with five ties...
By Lyla Lee -
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It’s that time of the year again when Mediacorp basically turns into Orchard Road on Christmas Eve: packed, sparkly and chaotic in the best way.
Star Awards 2026’s red carpet is where everyone shows up in their best (or worst) OOTDs, whether that means full-on sequins, dramatic trains or “I-just-threw-this-on” cool.
Right here on the Walk of Fame, we find out who understood the assignment, who brought the drama and whose outfit will be turned into memes tonight.
The Hits: Looks That Ate And Left No Crumbs
Tasha Low
It’s giving Emerald Hill, but make it 2026. The embellished top and sleek navy mermaid skirt feel very modern Peranakan tai-tai, and the whole look is rich, polished and seriously gorgeous. Easily our fave of the night. On top of that, Tasha is also in the running for Best Actress, going head-to-head with her Emerald Hill co-stars Chantalle Ng and Jesseca Liu.
Chantalle Ng & Jesseca Liu
Chantalle Ng and Jesseca Liu clearly planned a full Emerald Hill face-off on the red carpet.
Chantalle showed up in an all-black look with major Maleficent vibes, perfectly matching her scheming onscreen persona, while Jesseca glowed in ethereal white with gold jewellery, like the resident goddess. With both of them up for Best Actress, it’s a cleverly dressed-up preview of the Emerald Hill showdown we’re waiting to watch.
[Update: Jesseca won Best Actress. Now we’re a bit less aggrieved about her Emerald Hill character er shao nai nai (二少奶奶) being killed off so early.]
Zoe Tay
Zoe Tay turned up like the CEO of Star Awards in this black gown with a bold red ruffle slashing across the front. The sharp slit, the trailing hem and the structured shoulders all work together to let everyone know that she’s not here to be outdone.
Desmond Tan
Desmond Tan’s long, army‑green coat has big elemental‑bender energy, and while it photographs cool and cinematic, you can’t help but wonder if he’s sweating buckets underneath due to Singapore’s humidity.
[Update: Desmond won Best Actor. The sweat was worth it.]
Paige Chua & Ya Hui
Paige Chua said “born to glow” and meant it. Her sheer black gown is a rare spicy detour from her usual conservative lane, and the confidence she’s serving is doing just as much as the dress.
Meanwhile, Ya Hui’s structured black jumpsuit, wide‑brim hat and clean jewellery combo is grown‑woman glam. It’s modern, confident and stands out on the carpet.
Star Awards 2026 is a milestone for both Paige and Ya Hui: they received their 10th Top 10 Most Popular Artiste win, unlocking the long-awaited All-Time Favourite Artiste status at next year’s Star Awards.
The Misses: Outfits We’ll Be Discussing In The Group Chat
Xixi Lim
Xixi Lim’s all-black lace dress could have been a fun gothic moment, but the neon pink hair is doing most of the talking and not in sync with the look. Dialling back either the hair colour or the heavy lace would have helped her look more polished for the red carpet.
Chen Hanwei
Chen Hanwei clearly decided one tie wasn’t enough for Star Awards night and turned up in five, like he’s collecting neckties the way he collects Best Actor trophies. It’s cheeky, attention-grabbing and very in line with someone who already holds a record seven Best Actor wins and is gunning for an eighth tonight for The Gift Of Time.
Denise Camillia
Denise Camillia’s red halter gown is sleek and the colour really pops, but the overall look feels too safe for a night that’s all about “Born to Glow”. The cut is flattering and suits her figure, yet with no interesting detail or unexpected twist, it leans more “nice event host dress” than standout Star Awards fashion moment.
Bonnie Loo
Bonnie Loo’s look is cute and festival-ready, but it feels wildly underdressed for Star Awards night. The sheer top, tiny skirt and floaty tulle train are giving beach party or Coachella influencer content, when this carpet really calls for something more polished and formal.
Carrie Wong
Carrie Wong’s pink feathered dress is sweet, but too tame for such a huge night in her career, where she’s receiving the All-Time Favourite Artiste award. The high neck, long sleeves and soft colour palette make her look like a tradwife, and the gown doesn’t show off her figure. Her outfit isn’t on the same level as Chen Hanwei’s five-tie experiment, but for someone with her track record, this feels more like playing safe than stealing the spotlight.
This article was first published on Star Awards night of April 19, 2026. It was updated on April 20, 2026.