Star Awards 2026: Jesseca Liu Makes History, Emerald Hill Dominates, and Red Carpet Steals the Demonstrate

The 2026 Star Awards, Singapore’s premier television honors ceremony, delivered a night of historic firsts, dazzling fashion, and unexpected outcomes. Held on April 14, 2026, at Marina Bay Sands, the event celebrated excellence in local drama, variety, and news programming while spotlighting the evolving landscape of Singaporean entertainment. Jesseca Liu made history as the first actress of mixed heritage to win Best Actress, Emerald Hill Productions swept six awards, and the red carpet became a runway for bold, culturally resonant style.

Jesseca Liu Breaks Barriers with Historic Best Actress Win

Jesseca Liu claimed the Best Actress award for her powerful portrayal of Mei Ling in The River’s Edge, a Mediacorp drama exploring intergenerational trauma within a Singaporean-Chinese family. Her win marked a significant milestone: Liu is the first actress of Eurasian and Peranakan descent to receive the honor in the award’s 28-year history.

In her acceptance speech, Liu dedicated the award to “every mixed-heritage Singaporean who’s ever felt like they don’t fully belong.” She praised the show’s writers for crafting a role that “refused to stereotype” and highlighted the importance of authentic representation on screen.

The victory was widely celebrated across social media, with fellow nominees Shaun Tan (Code of Law) and Zhang Zetong (Justice Warriors) publicly congratulating her. Industry veterans noted that Liu’s win reflects a growing openness in Singaporean television to stories that mirror the nation’s multicultural reality.

Emerald Hill Productions Leads the Winners’ Circle

Emerald Hill Productions emerged as the night’s biggest winner, securing six awards across drama, variety, and technical categories. Their flagship series The River’s Edge took home Best Drama Series, Best Director (for Kelvin Tong), and Best Original Screenplay, in addition to Liu’s acting accolade.

The company also won Best Variety Production for Star Search 2026, Best Achievement in Editing for the documentary Hawker Heroes, and the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, presented to founding producer Angela Tan in recognition of her three-decade contribution to local content.

Emerald Hill’s dominance underscored its continued influence in shaping Singapore’s primetime lineup. Analysts noted that the studio’s success stems from its investment in auteur-driven projects and its willingness to tackle socially relevant themes — a strategy increasingly mirrored by competitors seeking to differentiate in the streaming era.

Fan Favorites and Surprises: Tasha Low, Zhang Zetong, and the “Most Hated” Villain

Audience-voted categories delivered some of the night’s most talked-about moments. Tasha Low and Zhang Zetong won Favourite Onscreen Couple (CP) for their chemistry in Love Across the Aisle, a romantic drama set during the 2024 General Election. Their win was particularly notable given the show’s modest ratings but strong digital engagement, especially among younger viewers.

In a rare twist, Chantalle Ng was awarded The Most Hated Villain for her chilling performance as a manipulative corporate lawyer in White Collar. Ng, known for her girl-next-door roles, embraced the challenge of portraying moral ambiguity, stating in a post-show interview that she wanted to “explore how privilege can corrupt even the most seemingly principled individuals.” The award, determined by public poll, highlighted audience appetite for complex antagonists in local storytelling.

Red Carpet: A Showcase of Cultural Fusion and Bold Statements

The Star Awards red carpet lived up to its reputation as a fashion spectacle, blending traditional motifs with avant-garde design. Zoe Tay turned heads in a custom emerald-green cheongsam by Singaporean designer Bernard Chandran, featuring intricate batik embroidery inspired by Peranakan tiles. Actress Shaun Tan opted for a modernized kebaya with structured shoulders and a dramatic train, while newcomer Kayly Loh made waves in a gender-fluid tuxedo jacket paired with a sarong-inspired skirt.

Beauty trends emphasized natural skin with bold lips — a look championed by Her World Singapore’s beauty editors, who noted a shift away from heavy contouring toward “radiant confidence.” Hair styles ranged from sleek low buns to intricate braids adorned with kerongsang (traditional brooches), signaling a renewed pride in heritage aesthetics.

Stylists observed that this year’s choices reflected a broader cultural moment: celebrities using the platform not just to look glamorous, but to affirm identity. As one veteran stylist put it, “It’s no longer about wearing a dress — it’s about telling a story.”

What the 2026 Star Awards Reveal About Singaporean Television

Beyond the glitter, the 2026 Star Awards offered meaningful insights into the state of local content. The night’s winners collectively pointed to three emerging trends:

• Authenticity over gloss: Audiences rewarded stories rooted in specific cultural experiences — whether Peranakan heritage, mixed-identity struggles, or the pressures of National Service.
• Digital engagement drives recognition: Shows with strong online followings, even if moderate in traditional ratings, found success in fan-voted categories.
• Fashion as cultural expression: The red carpet evolved into a canvas for designers and celebrities to explore Singapore’s multicultural identity through clothing.

Industry observers suggest these trends may influence future commissioning decisions at Mediacorp and streaming platforms like meWATCH and Viu, which are increasingly investing in niche, culturally specific content to stand out in a crowded market.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Singaporean Entertainment?

The 2026 Star Awards not only celebrated past achievements but also hinted at where the industry is headed. With streaming platforms expanding their local originals and traditional broadcasters adapting to hybrid release models, the bar for quality and relevance has never been higher.

Jesseca Liu’s historic win, in particular, may open doors for more inclusive storytelling — a sentiment echoed by Mediacorp’s Head of Content, who stated in a post-event press conference that “the next wave of Singaporean dramas will reflect the full spectrum of who we are.”

As the entertainment landscape continues to evolve, one thing remains clear: the Star Awards remain a vital barometer of excellence, innovation, and cultural resonance in Singaporean television.

Key Takeaways

• Jesseca Liu became the first actress of mixed heritage to win Best Actress at the Star Awards for her role in The River’s Edge.
• Emerald Hill Productions won six awards, including Best Drama Series and a Lifetime Achievement Award for founder Angela Tan.
• Tasha Low and Zhang Zetong won Favourite CP; Chantalle Ng was named Most Hated Villain — both audience-voted honors.
• The red carpet showcased bold fusion fashion, blending traditional elements like batik and kebaya with modern silhouettes.
• Trends point toward authentic storytelling, digital-driven recognition, and fashion as cultural expression shaping the future of local content.

Frequently Asked Questions

When were the Star Awards 2026 held?

The Star Awards 2026 took place on April 14, 2026, at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.

Who won Best Actress at the Star Awards 2026?

Jesseca Liu won Best Actress for her performance in The River’s Edge, becoming the first actress of Eurasian and Peranakan descent to do so.

Which company won the most awards at the Star Awards 2026?

Emerald Hill Productions won six awards, the most of any company, including Best Drama Series and the Lifetime Achievement Award.

What was notable about the red carpet fashion at the Star Awards 2026?

Celebrities embraced cultural fusion, wearing designs that incorporated traditional Singaporean textiles and silhouettes — such as batik, kebaya, and sarong — into contemporary, high-fashion looks.

How are fan-voted awards like Favourite CP and Most Hated Villain determined?

These awards are based on public voting, typically conducted online via official Star Awards platforms in the weeks leading up to the ceremony.