Star Awards 2025's oldest nominees Chen Shucheng, Lin Ruping, Hugo Ng on staying humble, leaving winning to fate

Star Awards 2025's oldest nominees Chen Shucheng, Lin Ruping, Hugo Ng on staying humble, leaving winning to fate
[From left] Chen Shucheng, Lin Ruping and Hugo Ng spoke to AsiaOne recently about their Star Awards nominations.
PHOTO: Mediacorp

Veteran local actors Chen Shucheng, Lin Ruping and Hugo Ng have accompanied audiences throughout the decades, from variety show hosts to acting as the main leads and then as parents and grandparents.

As Star Awards' 30th anniversary event approaches, AsiaOne spoke to them about their nominations in this year's ceremony and having a new generation of actors in local showbiz.

Chen Shucheng happier to see young actors getting recognition

While Shucheng is delighted about his Best Supporting Actor nomination for his performance in crime drama Unforgivable (2024) this year, he is happier to see younger actors being nominated in Star Awards.

The 75-year-old, who debuted in local showbiz in 1971 and is the oldest nominee this year, told AsiaOne recently: "I personally feel that at my age, I am already a veteran actor in this industry. I believe that for veteran actors like us, who have honed our acting skills over the years... if we are able to get a good role, as long as we perform well, the probability of winning is high.

"But at my age, in my perspective, when I see many of my young actor colleagues [attending and being nominated] in Star Awards' 30th anniversary event, I feel that there is succession in local showbiz and that there are results after Mediacorp's nurturing over the years. I am actually happier to see that."

He added he was glad to see many young actors performing well in leading roles.

Read Also
Chen Shucheng, Richard Low, Zhu Houren start TikTok page The OG Gang
entertainment
Chen Shucheng, Richard Low, Zhu Houren start TikTok page The OG Gang

When asked about his chances of clinching Best Supporting Actor, Shucheng said: "I think the chances are not high because the other four nominees are leading actors. But at the same time, I shouldn't underestimate myself, because since the judges nominated me, it's also a form of recognition."

The other nominees for the category are Chen Hanwei (Unforgivable), Guo Liang (To Be Loved), Pierre Png (Moments) and Xu Bin (Kill Sera Sera).

Shucheng, who is also nominated for Top 10 Most Popular Male Artiste, shared his perspective on staying humble in the industry.

He said: "I feel that especially for young actors, they should focus more on performing well. To be honest, there are many times, besides their own hard work, when it is also about receiving a good role. If they are able to achieve that and act well at the same time, then they would be able to stand out and it's a form of recognition.

"They may not be able to receive a good role every time, so they should treasure it (when they do). As young actors, they should also continue to hone their acting skills humbly because the road is still long for them and it's not going to be continuously smooth. They should continue to be down-to-earth and strive to perform their roles well. That's most important."

Lin Ruping wants to continue acting and hosting regardless of awards

Veteran actress Lin Ruping is in the running for Star Awards Top 10 Most Popular Female Artistes award. PHOTO: Mediacorp

Ruping, who is nominated for Top 10 Most Popular Female Artiste in this year's awards, shared that she is happy to be nominated, but treats it with a sense of normalcy.

The 74-year-old debuted in local showbiz in 1983 and is the oldest female nominee this year.

"Being nominated is already a form of recognition, that Mediacorp saw my hard work and gave me this opportunity. But of course, there are many nominees — even more than last year — so I don't have high hopes of winning and such things cannot be guaranteed," she said.

Ruping was first nominated in the category in 2024, but didn't win. When asked how she felt then, she shared: "I didn't feel anything, I treated it with a sense of normalcy and it's okay if I didn't win. It's always like this: The more expectations you have, the more disappointed you will be in the end, so I just keep a normal mindset.

While she acknowledged that receiving an award does open up more opportunities for an actor, she is thankful to be sought by directors — some of whom she had known for decades — who found her suitable for their roles.

"I am grateful that after so many years, since the 1980s, Mediacorp still gives me one or two acting roles every year," she said.

When asked what hopes she has for her acting career in the future, Ruping shared: "I think at my age, I want to be at peace with whatever happens. If there are opportunities for me, I will do it. If my health allows me to be active and I have time, I will continue to be active in showbiz, because if I am not working and just sit around all day, I will get dementia quickly. Health is most important, if you don't have that, you can't do anything."

Hugo Ng leaves winning to fate

Hugo, who made his return to local television in 2023 after close to three decades abroad, shared that he is thankful to be nominated for Top 10 Most Popular Male Artiste.

The 65-year-old, who debuted in local showbiz in 1982 before furthering his acting career with Hong Kong broadcaster TVB in 1987, told AsiaOne: "I started my acting career in the 1985 Singapore drama Ren Zai Lu Tu (translated as People on a Journey) and in my twilight years returned to act in an important role in All That Glitters (2023).

"I even received a nomination for a popularity award; it's more than I can ask for and very fulfilling for me.... To me, not fighting for something is perhaps a good thing."

We asked whether he views nominations and awards as a form of recognition at this point, and he said: "In every job, to every actor, they would be encouraged and happy when they received praise from everyone.

"But as to whether I hope to receive the award, I leave it to fate and I prefer to be free and easy and not fight over it. As long as I do my job well, that's enough."

Hugo also shared the importance of young actors showing sincerity in their craft.

He explained: "After many years as an actor, my conclusion is that if you want people to approach you [for roles], there is only one way and that is to do your best to play your role well, let them see your sincerity and they would naturally approach you.

"This is so that you are able to convince the directors and screenwriters to work with you again."

Voting for Star Awards Top 10 Most Popular Male and Female Artistes is now available to July 6, 7.30pm on the Mediacorp website. Voters can make up to 10 votes per account, per award category, per day. On July 6 from 12am to 7.30pm, voters can make unlimited votes for each category.

Star Awards 2025 will be presented on July 6, starting from Backstage Live at 3.30pm to 10.30pm, Walk of Fame from 5pm to 6.30pm, the awards show from 7pm to 10pm and Post-Party from 10pm to 10.30pm.

The awards show and Walk of Fame will air on Channel 8, Channel U, Mewatch and the Mediacorp Entertainment YouTube channel, Post-Party will air on Channel U, Mewatch and the Mediacorp Entertainment YouTube channel, while Backstage Live will air on the latter two platforms.

Read Also
entertainment
'I thought I was a forgotten actress': Apple Hong touched by supporters' messages after Star Awards' popularity nomination

yeo.shuhui@asiaone.com

No part of this article can be reproduced without permission from AsiaOne.

For more original AsiaOne articles, visit here.

homepage

trending

trending
    Economic Resilience Taskforce unveils new business grant, support for workers amid global trade jitters
    Ex-NCT member Taeil sentenced to 3.5 years of jail for sexual assault
    I try Springleaf prata in a cup from a vending machine - how does it compare to the real deal?
    Chinese man with PhD from NTU, Masters from Oxford turns delivery rider after 10 failed interviews
    Man in Tampines tased by police officers after allegedly brandishing penknife at them
    'I believe there will be more opportunities in the future': Fresh poly graduate who took up contract role on job hunting
    Fulfilling a childhood dream: RSAF pilot enlists after JC, takes part in first NDP
    Sleeping on the job: This company will pay people $7 per hour to nap
    Where Chow Yun Fat was spotted at while in Singapore for Star Awards 2025
    Female primary school teacher allegedly committed sex acts with underage male student
    'I could not possibly discard the embryo': Lee Si-young pregnant with second child through IVF months after divorce
    'It's our grandfather's company, we won't sell', says Wong family as shareholders reject GE delisting bid

Singapore

Singapore
    • MPs lead Singaporeans on sold-out durian trips across Causeway: 'Maximise the favourable exchange rate'
    • Jurong West homeowner evicts tenant after power bank catches fire and damages flat
    • 'They were so caring': Woman praises AirAsia staff's response during toddler's in-flight medical emergency
    • Police officer injured after motorcycle skids on PIE
    • 'You need to do some homework': Trump's ambassador nominee to Singapore under fire at Senate hearing
    • Singaporean fugitive nabbed in Thailand for alleged drug trafficking, turned over to CNB
    • Singapore must develop deeper relationships with China, US, Europe: Shanmugam
    • 'Give a positive review': Hidden AI prompt found in academic paper by NUS researchers
    • Appeal hearing for Pritam Singh's conviction, sentence set for Nov 4
    • Singapore must take right approach to create opportunities in wealth management: Chee Hong Tat

Entertainment

Entertainment
    • No joke: Woman makes out with Xiao Zhan's standee in Malaysia shopping mall
    • High energy, strong vocals: J-pop boy band Be:First makes explosive debut in Singapore
    • Shane Pow reveals how much his Star Awards outfit from Taobao costs
    • Tears, laughter and reunions: 5 highlights from Star Awards 2025
    • Sheila Sim takes haircutting course after giving daughter bad trim
    • Orlando Bloom breaks silence on split from Katy Perry with family photo
    • Nicki Minaj alleges Jay-Z owes her at least $128m
    • Cast of K-drama Low Life recounts battling peak summer conditions while filming 1970s underwater chase for treasure
    • Christopher Lee and Mark Lee to star in new Taiwanese movie No Good! Ojisan
    • Denise Richards and Aaron Phypers split after 6 years of marriage

Lifestyle

Lifestyle
    • Now you can get Springleaf prata in a cup - with curry - from a vending machine
    • Orh Gao Taproom, popular bar by night and kopitiam by day in Serene Centre, to shutter
    • Singapore Food Festival returns in September, includes SG60 Specials series
    • From Singlish-themed cups to T-shirts repping our neighbourhoods: Here are some SG60 collections to look out for
    • Singapore coffee brand Alchemist debuts 2 outlets in Japan, marking first overseas venture
    • Cat A COE prices cross $100k mark again in first bidding exercise for July 2025
    • Chanel shows haute couture in private salon setting at Grand Palais
    • McDonald's launching Chilli Crab Sauce Burger in collab with Jumbo Seafood, also releasing limited-edition Lunch Bag
    • From blogger to Singapore's top influencer: Naomi Neo celebrates 1m Instagram followers after 14 years
    • Is it possible to design an entire home in 10 hours? I took up the challenge in one mall

Digicult

Digicult
    • Slim, sleek, but slightly too short-lived: Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge review
    • World's best Dota 2 teams to compete for $1m prize pool in Singapore in November
    • 'Report 1 shop, another 10 appear': Hoyo Fest artists on copyright struggles
    • NTU penalises 3 students over use of AI tools; they dispute university's findings
    • Australia social media teen ban software trial organisers say the tech works
    • Disney, Universal sue image creator Midjourney for copyright infringement
    • Initiative by IMDA, AI Verify Foundation tests AI accuracy, trustworthiness in real-world scenarios
    • Under siege? Helldivers 2's latest city to be invaded by aliens could be spoof of Singapore
    • Honor 400 Series launches in Singapore with first free in-device AI image-to-video tool
    • Home Team humanoid robots to be deployed by mid-2027, $100m to be invested: Josephine Teo

Money

Money
    • Best credit card promotions in Singapore (June 2025): Citibank, DBS, HSBC, UOB and more
    • Temasek sees $45b rise in net portfolio value to record high of $434b amid global uncertainties
    • Japan, South Korea hit with 25% tariffs as Trump ramps up trade war in letters to leaders
    • Trump says alignment with BRICS' 'anti-American policies' to invite additional 10% tariffs
    • Regulators warned Air India Express about delay on Airbus engine fix, forging records
    • Higher seller's stamp duty a 'light touch' to curb property flipping: Experts
    • Trump tax bill averts one debt crisis but makes future financial woes worse
    • Seller's stamp duty rates for private homes raised; holding period increased from 3 years to 4
    • Trump escalates feud with Musk, threatens Tesla, SpaceX support
    • Online groceries in Singapore: Which supermarket has the cheapest delivery fees?

Latest

Latest
  • Rivers in southwest China breach warning levels, with thousands evacuated
  • Daily roundup: Man in Tampines tased by police officers after allegedly brandishing penknife at them — and other top stories today
  • Malaysia says China will sign Southeast Asia nuclear weapons free zone treaty when documents are ready
  • Pope Leo meets Zelenskiy, offers to host Ukraine peace talks
  • Wife buries remains of Srebrenica victim 30 years after Bosnia genocide
  • Texas officials deflect mounting questions about response to deadly flood
  • US military delivering some weapons to Ukraine after pause
  • Netanyahu and Trump prioritise hostages as Gaza military campaign grinds on
  • Trump administration threatens Harvard's accreditation, seeks records on foreign students

In Case You Missed It

In Case You Missed It
  • Jail for ex-auxiliary police officer who loaded 1 bullet and accidentally discharged revolver
  • Woman injured on SMRT bus after bottle thrown at vehicle shatters window
  • Singaporean drivers rack up over $17k in fines for VEP violations in 5 days
  • Roblox avatar and lantern: Star Awards 2025 looks that made us go 'huh?'
  • Long time no see! Sharon Au, Li Nanxing, Yvonne Lim and others return to Star Awards stage
  • 'Intimacy was not anything sexual', says man who drove car with lover's husband on bonnet
  • Boy, 9, has kidney removed after falling at Bukit Batok playground
  • 'We just want our money': Income Insurance shareholders disappointed at failed Allianz deal
  • Buying property in Malaysia as a Singaporean: 6 key restrictions to be aware of
This website is best viewed using the latest versions of web browsers.