Star Search 2019: Unveiling 24 “masterpieces” and their celebrity mentors
Singapore, 4 July 2019 – Artfully captured in pictures revealing only parts of their faces, 24 “masterpieces” teased the crowd before they were subsequently unveiled – as the top 24 contestants of Mediacorp’s talent discovery programme Star Search 2019. Making their inaugural appearances at a media conference held at Gillman Barracks this evening, these budding talents were also introduced to their celebrity mentors Chen Hanwei, Huang Biren and Christopher Lee, who were announced in their roles for the first time at the event.
Top 24 Contestants
After a nine-year hiatus, Star Search 2019 marks the return of Mediacorp’s popular competition which has produced many popular celebrities like Zoe Tay, Chew Chor Meng, Felicia Chin and Romeo Tan over the years. The search attracted 1,200 hopefuls from Singapore, Malaysia, China, Indonesia, Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong, Canada, Australia, UK and Macau at two open auditions held in Ngee Ann City and Bugis+ in May. The top 24 were picked after rounds of careful deliberation.
Irene Lim, Chief Customer Officer, Mediacorp said, “Star Search made a rousing return with an overwhelming response to our open auditions and demonstrated once again, Mediacorp’s role as an incubator for local talents. Today’s revelation of the top 24 contestants marks a significant milestone in our ongoing quest to uncover and nurture these talents. Over the next few months, we invite audiences to journey with contestants across Mediacorp’s multiple platforms, and witness their transformation as they compete to be crowned as tomorrow’s stars!”
Celebrity Mentors
Specially invited to coach the contestants throughout the competition, celebrity mentors Chen Hanwei, Huang Biren and Christopher Lee will leverage their years of acting experiences to guide their performances.
On this, Doreen Neo, Chief Content Officer, Mediacorp commented, “Mediacorp offers a rich resource for the all-rounded nurturing of our contestants. With their wealth of expertise and experience, the mentors add dimensions to their learning, coaching them on acting, performing and acquiring the confidence to become public profiles. Beyond skills, our mentors are also a source of inspiration, optimism and vision for the wellspring of talent we have uncovered.”
Veteran actor and six-time Star Awards Best Actor winner, Chen Hanwei said, “My heartfelt congratulations to the top 24 contestants! Just like how we took our first steps to pursue our dreams, I am sure with grit and hard work, they will unleash their potential to scale greater heights!”
TV actress and three-time Best Actress winner, Huang Biren, was excited and thankful when she was entrusted the responsibility of a celebrity mentor. She said, “I am honoured to be a mentor to the newbies. I am more than happy to be given this opportunity to help groom our next generation of stars!”
Best Actor winner at Taiwan’s prestigious Golden Bell TV Awards 2014, Christopher Lee took up the invitation in a heart-beat, despite his hectic overseas filming schedule. He said, “This is a meaningful assignment to me. I discovered my passion for acting through Star Search and it is an honour for me to contribute as a mentor to the young talents.”
Competition Format/ Awards
Following today’s unveiling, the top 24 contestants will undergo a rigorous training programme with their mentors, aimed at honing their rhythmic, articulation and acting abilities. The group of 24 will then be whittled down to 12 contestants vying to be the Star Search 2019 champion at the Grand Final to be held on 3 November 2019.
“Star Search has a proven record as a star-making platform, where many of its alumni celebrities have gone on to carve their niches and achieve new heights for their careers, even beyond the local shores,” said Eugene Goh, President, Samsung Electronics Singapore. “Samsung is delighted to embark on this journey with Mediacorp, as the Presenter of Star Search 2019 with its return this year. At Samsung, we carry the spirit of Do What You Can’t, where we believe in looking beyond obstacles for opportunities. Our new dedicated “Samsung Galaxy: Breakthrough Talent” award for Star Search 2019 is built on this philosophy, and we look forward to crowning the contestant who showcases the personality and traits in defying what they can achieve.”
Star Search 2019 will air from 20 September 2019 on Toggle and 22 September 2019 on Channel 8.
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Media contacts
Mark Tan
Communications Specialist,
Mediacorp
Email: mark.tan@mediacorp.com.sg
About Mediacorp
Mediacorp is Singapore’s largest content creator and national media network, operating six TV channels, 11 radio stations and multiple digital platforms including CNA, Singapore's most used news app, and Toggle, its digital video platform. Its mission is to engage, entertain and enrich audiences by harnessing the power of creativity.
Mediacorp pioneered the development of Singapore’s broadcasting industry, with radio broadcast in 1936 and television broadcast in 1963. Today, it reaches 98% of Singaporeans in four languages and has a growing Asian audience base through CNA as well as entertainment content that is distributed across markets in the region.
The Mediacorp Partner Network brings Mediacorp together with industry-leading brands like ESPN, Edipresse Media, 99.co and VICE to deliver rich content for consumers and effective solutions for advertisers.
Mediacorp is the recipient of industry accolades including New York Festivals, World Media Festivals, PromaxBDA (World and Asia) and Asian Academy Creative Awards.
For more information, please visit mediacorp.sg.
