What do you think your chances of winning either or both prizes are?
I’m not trying to be humble when I’m saying this but… Okay, let’s start from the Top 10. Being nominated for the first time is already a blessing in itself. If, somehow, I make it to the Top 10, I’ll feel that viewers have finally acknowledged that I’m a nice guy playing bad roles. But I’m quite low-key on social media, so I don’t think my chances of winning are high ‘cos the other contestants have a lot of followers, which I think would be helpful when it comes to voting. I’m more traditional in the sense that I hope that people who watch me on TV are impressed enough by my performance to vote for me.
As for the Most Hated Villain award… I think I have a 20 per cent chance of winning. There are five of us nominated and each of our characters are all worthy of the title. (Chuckles)
Do you think that playing the villain contributed to your delayed entry to the Top 20?
Hmm… Truthfully, audiences in the past were more “traditional” in the sense that they rooted for the actors who played good guys on screen and disliked the ones who played the bad guys. Social media wasn’t as well-developed back then so people wouldn’t know what the real Brandon Wong is like, save for the rare occasions when I went on variety shows.
I think that would have affected the impression people have of me.
In recent years, I’ve taken on different roles so I think this helped soften that. People these days are also more accepting of actors who play villains.
More veteran actors are getting their first nominations or wins in recent Star Awards.
It’s related to what I said before about audiences becoming more accepting of diversity. I think they focus more on talent and depth these days – you don’t have to be incredibly young or good-looking to catch the attention of viewers these days.
That’s exactly why Korean dramas are exciting – you don’t just focus on the young main couple; people across generations can have exciting backstories as well.
Photos: Brandon Wong/Instagram, Mediacorp
Online voting for the MY PICK! Awards will commence here on March 11, 12pm and end on April 10, 11.59pm.
Catch the Backstage LIVE event of Star Awards 2022 from 3.30pm - 10.30pm on meWATCH or Mediacorp Entertainment YouTube Channel on April 24 (Sunday).
The Walk Of Fame will be from 5pm - 6.30pm, on meWATCH, Ch 8, Ch U, and Mediacorp Entertainment YouTube Channel on the same day.
It will be followed by the main Star Awards 2022 Awards Ceremony from 7pm - 10pm on meWATCH, Ch 8, Ch U, and Mediacorp Entertainment YouTube Channel.
The repeat telecast for the Walk of Fame and Award Ceremony will air on Ch 8 from 2pm - 6.30pm on May 1 (Sunday).