Jesseca Liu’s 22-Year Wait, Ada Choi’s Savage Troll & Other Star Awards 2026 Highlights
Tears, no-shows and one very iconic hongbao. These moments are still living rent-free in our heads.
By Lyla Lee -
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As promised, Star Awards 2026 served up drama no scriptwriter could have planned.
There was Jesseca Liu’s long-overdue, tearful Best Actress win after 22 years, and Ada Choi turning a simple Top 10 reveal into a full-blown trolling masterclass.
Add in surprise wins, emotional speeches and a few ugly cry moments, and you’ve got a night to remember for the next 364 days.
Until the next Star Awards rolls around, here are the Star Awards 2026 highlights we can’t stop thinking about — including a winner who didn’t even show up.
Jesseca Liu’s 22-year wait for Best Actress
Jesseca’s long-awaited Best Actress win came from her role in Emerald Hill, after six previous nominations in the category.
Fighting back tears on stage, she likened her 22-year acting journey to “riding a unicycle” before thanking the people around her for helping her stay the course.
“I feel like my journey has been like riding a unicycle,” she said. “At the start, I fell and got badly hurt, and there were moments when I thought about giving up. But then I realised I was never actually alone.”
Down in the audience, her husband Jeremy Chan could be seen proudly recording the moment on his phone (with watery eyes) as she spoke.
Ada Choi’s savage troll moment
Star Awards 2026 presenter Ada Choi really turned Guo Liang’s big night into a mini variety show. The Hong Kong star kept dragging out the suspense over whether his name was in the Top 10, teasing him so much that you could almost hear the collective “aiya, faster lah!” from the media room.
She finally let him have his moment with the last announcement, revealing that he’d clinched his 10th Top 10 trophy and is set to “graduate” to All-Time Favourite Artiste next year. A slightly savage way to do it, but the entertainment value was off the charts.
Desmond Tan’s surprise Best Actor win
Desmond Tan pulled off one of the night’s biggest surprises, walking away with Best Actor for his turn as a pair of deeply damaged twin brothers in Devil Behind The Gate. The win breaks a long drought for him — his last Best Actor trophy was for When Duty Calls back in 2018.
Backstage, he was still visibly stunned when he spoke to The Singapore Women’s Weekly. “I was rushing in and out. I can’t wait to have a call with [my wife] to share the happiness. I’m sure she is balling her eyes out in the living room right now,” he shared.
Emerald Hill’s mega sweep
Emerald Hill was always expected to do well, and it really delivered on the night, sweeping six trophies including Best Drama and Best Original Song.
Its cast won big too: Jesseca Liu clinched her first Best Actress win as the long‑suffering er shao nai nai (second young mistress), Tyler Ten and Chen Liping picked up the supporting actor awards, and child actress Ivory Chia won a Young Talent Award for her role as the young Xin Niang.
Hazelle Teo, Nick Teo & Ayden Sng winning their first Top 10
Yes 933 DJ Hazelle Teo was one of the night’s happiest first-timers, clutching a hongbao from her mum as she accepted her very first Top 10 Most Popular Female Artistes trophy.
“At my lowest point, my mum gave me this… ‘Hazelle Teo wins mum’s Still Outstanding Award’. This hongbao has been with me through countless nights at my lowest. It also gave me so much strength,” she said at her acceptance speech.
Nick Teo also joined the winners’ circle of Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes for the first time; visibly choked up, and he gave a shoutout to his equally teary wife, Hong Ling.
“Lastly, I want to thank someone in the audience… my wife,” Nick said as the cam panned to a crying Hong Ling.
Ayden Sng, who was up for a popularity prize for the first time this year, capped things off by nabbing his debut win too.
Carrie Wong, humbled and grown
In 2019, Carrie Wong was caught in a career‑shaking scandal when explicit private Instagram messages between her and former actor Ian Fang were leaked. In the years since, she’s kept a lower profile and quietly shed the aloof image she once had, showing up softer, more grounded and more reflective on stage and in interviews.
“I never thought I’d be standing here today,” she said while accepting her All‑Time Favourite Artiste award. “This journey has had its ups and downs, with both applause and criticism. I’ve come to realise that real growth comes from going through trials and challenges, and when you feel like giving up, it’s about telling yourself to keep going. Today, I stand here with a grateful heart for everything I’ve experienced, because it’s made me more appreciative and braver about facing the future.”
Ya Hui whipping out a script during her Top 10 acceptance speech
“I have graduated!” the actress shouted in joy the moment she received the award. “This year, I better write some words of appreciation properly,” Ya Hui said as she took out a piece of crumpled paper.
“I’ve been in the industry for so many years. From a little girl who doesn’t know anything, I’ve slowly learnt to act, express and face myself. This path wasn’t perfect, but every step felt steady and real,” she said in her heartfelt speech.
The appearance of senior KOLs: Zhu Houren, Chen Shucheng & Richard Low
Veteran actors Zhu Houren, Chen Shucheng and Richard Low proved they’re the cutest trio of the night — and low‑key the strongest content creators in the room.
Dubbed “senior KOLs”, the trio cheerfully urged everyone to follow their TikTok account before presenting the Young Talent Award to Emerald Hill’s Ivory Chia.
“Please, please. If you haven’t followed our TikTok, please do so,” begged Richard on stage. “Help us make a miracle.”
The trio, who co‑run TikTok channel The OG Gang, seized the chance to plug their handle on live TV, reminding viewers to check out their joint account that’s been charming younger fans with over 70,000 followers.
Shaun Chen’s emotional thank-you speech
Shaun Chen looked genuinely stunned as his name was called. “Wow, I’m nervous,” the actor blurted, before thanking a long list of people, including his parents. He then grew emotional as he mentioned how difficult the past year had been, alluding to the devastating hit-and-run accident in his hometown of Negeri Sembilan that claimed his father’s life in March 2025.
In the audience, stars like Dawn Yeoh and Jojo Goh were visibly tearing up as he thanked his Malaysian family and supporters. “Even though I didn’t have many dramas, you all didn’t forget me,” he said. “Thank you to my Malaysian family for voting for me. I’ll continue to do my best. I hope I can bring you even better shows,” he said.
Chen Liping’s no-show
Chen Liping pulled off the rarest flex of the night: winning big without being in the building.
The 60‑year‑old, who played a street‑smart con woman and gambler in Emerald Hill, clinched Best Supporting Actress but appeared only via a pre‑recorded video message.
In it, she thanked the Emerald Hill team and acknowledged how tough drama filming can be, before sharing: “After the broadcast, I knew that the audience was really moved, really liked it and really enjoyed it. I am truly grateful because of you all. For decades, I have been grateful that you have always been there.”