So beloved is Dai Yang Tian that a full year’s absence from local TV screens didn’t ruin his chances of being nominated for the Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes, for Star Awards 2012. 

In an interview with Channel NewsAsia (CNA) after the announcement, Dai conveyed his gratitude to his fans. “I feel very happy that everyone hasn’t forgotten me, after all it has been a year since I have met everyone.”

He was one of the few surprise names revealed at the MediaCorp press conference on Mar 15, at the Saraca Ballroom of Marina Bay Sands, where the 40 nominees for the Top 10 Most Popular Male and Female Artistes were unveiled.

Other names that turned heads included Rebecca Lim, who wasn’t present at the event. This is her first time in the Top 10 nominees since she joined MediaCorp in 2005.

Kate Pang also expressed her amazement at her first-time nomination for this prestigious award in a phone interview with xinmsn. “I was working non-stop and had no time to reflect on my own performance. The upcoming Star Awards will be a good time for me to rate myself.”

The 8 female nominees present were (from left), Kym Ng, Belinda Lee, Hong Hui Fang, Pan Ling Ling, Ann Kok, Michelle Chia, Michelle Chong and Lin Pei Fen.

The 7 male nominees present were (from left), Ben Yeo, Terence Cao, Dasmond Koh, Richard Low, Zheng Ge Ping, Rayson Tan and Dai Yang Tian.

Qi Yu Wu, who had walked home with the Best Actor for the Star Awards 2011 has managed to keep a tight grip on his spot among the Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes nominees, each year since the year 2004.

Hot fave Tay Ping Hui was conspicuously absent from the popularity stakes, but only because he will be receiving the All-Time Favourite Artiste this year from President Tony Tan. The All-Time Favourite Artiste award is awarded to stars who have clinched a position in the Top 10 for 10 times. Previous winners include Li Nan Xing, Chew Chor Meng, Xie Shao Guang, Christopher Lee and Mark Lee.

Ben Yeo, who earned his second nomination this year was thankful for the chance given to him even though he was by humble admission, a “person who was not very expressive”.

Terence Cao told UrbanWire he didn’t have a clue as to what set him apart from his fellow actors and actresses. In fact, he threw the ball back to his fans, “I don’t know how I am different from the others, I’ll have to ask you that instead!”

Veteran actress Hong Hui Fang (second from left) could barely contain her joy during an interview with CNA. “Honestly, I am really happy to be nominated. I won’t lie to you.”

(Photos Courtesy of Ashley Bei)

Pan Ling Ling, who continues a seemingly insurmountable hike to the peak, will face her 11th fruitless nomination if she doesn’t earn a place in the Top 10 this year.

There was, however, no sight of the 6-year consecutive winner of one of the Top 10, Quan Yi Fong. Last December, she pleaded guilty to one charge of mischief after she turned physical during a fight with a cab driver. She’s serving a 15-month probation.

The ever youthful-looking Michelle Chia shared her thoughts on why she’s in the running. “I guess it’s the ability to connect with the people, when you go somewhere, they know who you are.”

The Star Awards is an annual ceremony held by MediaCorp, to recognise acting and hosting talents on Ch 8 and Channel U. They include awards for different categories like ‘Best Actor’, ‘Best Supporting Actor’ and ‘Most Popular Newcomer’.

The Star Awards 2012 will be split into 2 ceremonies- the first for professional awards will be aired live on Channel 8 at 7pm on Apr 22, at the MediaCorp TV Theatre, while the second for performance and popularity awards will be aired at 7pm on Apr 29, from Resorts World Sentosa.

The first Blazing The Trail episode will air on Mar 25 over Channel 8 at 10:30pm. Each 15-min long show will offer details of your favourite award nominees of Star Awards 2012 every Sunday night until Apr 15.

 

Full List of Nominees:

Top 10 Most Popular Female Artistes Nominees

Priscelia Chan 曾诗梅
Cynthia Koh 许美珍
Rui En 瑞恩
Aileen Tan 陈丽贞
Yvonne Lim 林湘萍
Ann Kok 郭舒贤
Pan Ling Ling 潘玲玲
Rebecca Lim 林慧玲
Michelle Chia 谢韵仪
Kate Pang 庞蕾馨
Jeanette Aw 欧萱
Belinda Lee 李心钰
Paige Chua 蔡琦慧
Zhou Ying 周颖
Lin Pei Fen 林佩芬
Vivian Lai 赖怡伶
Hong Hui Fang 洪慧芳
Kym Ng 鐘琴
Michelle Chong 庄米雪
Joanne Peh 白薇秀

Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes Nominees

Qi Yu Wu 戚玉武
Dai Yang Tian 戴阳天
Chen Shu Cheng 陈澍城
Dennis Chew 周崇庆
Rayson Tan 陈泰铭
Zhu Hou Ren 朱厚任
Zheng Ge Ping 郑各评
Bryan Wong 王禄江
Huang Wen Yong 黄文永
Richard Low 刘谦益
Gurmit Singh 葛米星
Pierre Png 方展发
Dasmond Koh 许振荣
Guo Liang 郭亮
Pornsak
Elvin Ng 黄俊雄
Zhang Yao Dong 张耀栋
Terence Cao 曹国辉
Ben Yeo 杨志龙
Chen Han Wei 陈汉玮