Here Are The Star Search 2019 Finalists Like You’ve Never Seen Them Before

So what about this year’s contestants? Tyler Ten sure looks the part. The 23-year-old is already leading man material with his brooding, manly good looks that make him appear more mature than his age. And that’s a compliment. If Tyler does become an actor, he would be peerless given how many pretty boy xiao di dis there are in his age group. 1.75m-tall stunner Sheryl Ang seems cut from the same glamazon cloth as Zoe and 1995 winner Jacelyn Tay. And thanks to her modelling background, is completely comfortable posing, jumping, looking #fierce in front of the camera, more so than any of the other contestants.

While Tyler and Sheryl have the most star quality, there are other standouts who also are bubbling with X-factor too. Like Zane Lim, who reminds us of both Lawrence Wong and the late Aloysius Pang. There's also Teoh Zetong, who has what it takes to be the next heartland heartthrob like Romeo Tan, and of course IG darling Vanessa Ho, who certainly knows more than just her selfie angles.

At this point though, it’s really anyone’s game. The finalists don’t seem too concerned that they’re competing against each other. At least that was the vibe we got at the 8days.sg shoot where they came across more like camp counsellors who have formed everlasting friendships over the summer than wannabe stars gearing up for a Battle Royale.

But there can only be one winner. So who’s your pick to take home the title? Scroll down to learn more about the 12 finalists and maybe it would be easier for you to decide then. — JONATHAN FAM

He works as an… associate customer relationship management manager at online marketplace Carousell
We know him for… being the Carousell guy with the cute dimples.
In a nutshell: He’s confident and self-assured on stage, which bodes well for him in a live show. The real question is if he’ll be willing to take the plunge and give up his cushy job for showbiz.

8 DAYS: You’ve been working in marketing for a number of years. What do you feel about the possibility of having to start from scratch in showbiz?
TEOH ZETONG: I’ve been at my current job for close to three years. Honestly, I’ve been speaking a lot about this with my manager at work. When I plan, I think of things in the middle and long term as well, so this is something I need to think seriously about. I’m older than most of the contestants, so I have less room to make mistakes too.
You were a Business Administration major at NUS. Did you do well in school?
I was actually a science and math kind of guy back in school. I won’t say I did really well, but I scored all distinctions for my A-Levels. I dropped biology when I was in secondary school because I didn’t see myself as a doctor. Everything to me was kind of corporate and finance-oriented.
As someone in marketing, have you applied your knowledge to help yourself in this competition?
Entertainment is an entirely different ball game so it’s not that I can market myself in that sense. I think this is celebrity or personal marketing, which I’m not that well-versed in. The core principles are the same, such as appealing to your target audience, how to carry myself in front of the camera, which all contributes to the online persona that I have. The only thing I’ve done is to start my Instagram account specifically for the competition, but I wouldn’t say that I have a leg up compared to the other contestants.
When we searched for your name online, it popped up on quite a number of platforms.
(Laughs) I like to try new technologies, so I tend to create accounts when a new service is launched. I usually give up on it after getting to know what it’s all about. On hindsight, maybe I shouldn’t have used my real name for all of them. Oh well.
You’re one of the few contestants without an English name. Why haven’t you picked one?
For my friends or colleagues who can’t pronounce my name right, they actually just call me Zong. When I worked in the US for a year, my boss couldn’t really say my name, so I asked him to use Zong. It’s basically Zetong with no ‘E’ and ‘T’, and since it’s one syllable, it’s much easier to remember too. You can call me Zong if you want to (smiles).

She’s a… NUS Communication & New Media and Business major as well as a DJ (the nightclub kind, not the radio kind).
We know her for... having the most followers on Instagram among the finalists.
In a nutshell: She hasn’t been shy about her struggles with Chinese and has been reading her mentor Huang Biren’s kid’s primary school textbooks to improve. But if jiak kantang stars like Rebecca Lim and Pierre Png can do it, we’re sure she can too.

8 DAYS: What does your family think of your decision to join Star Search?
VANESSA HO: My younger sister was surprised because we always had a thing against speaking Mandarin at home. Our dad tried to impose “Chinese-speaking Tuesdays” on us, where he would fine us a dollar every time we spoke English, but it didn’t work because my sister and I would just keep quiet the whole day. (Laughs) Now I so regret not trying to speak it more!
Have you put your DJ gigs on hold since the competition?
Yes, I’ve been staying away from all my night jobs because they drain a lot of energy. If I sleep really late, I pretty much can’t function the next day. And I’m so not a morning person which is the worst thing ever ’cos we have the earliest call times! I’m not used to the Star Search schedule at all. (Laughs)
Have your studies been affected?
Oh my gosh, yes. (Laughs) I know NUS follows me on Instagram and they keep track of my Star Search progress so it’s a bit scary because I’ve been lagging behind. I was mentally prepared for an intense semester and I tried to lighten my load by choosing less modules, but I didn’t expect it to be this intense. It has taken a toll but hopefully, I can catch up in future semesters.
Do people have misconceptions about you ’cos you work in nightlife?
Not really. There’s this misconception that sex sells for female DJs and that they can’t play good music ’cos they just rely on being sexually appealing so I’ve made it a point to be very conscious of what I wear for every gig.
Which is more nerve-racking: playing a set in front of 10,000 partygoers or acting in front of a panel of judges?
Playing a set in front of 10,000 partygoers. When I’m acting, I get lost in the scene and forget about everybody else around me. But when I played at Marquee, I was shaking the entire time! I’m quite used to crowds because I’ve modelled and joined other competitions in the past, but I’m just really scared when it comes to music because people are more particular about it. I don’t want to get kicked off the stage! (Laughs)
Have you received any feedback from the Star Search producers or mentors that stung?
Perhaps comments about my complexion… though I can’t say who said that. In Asian showbiz, people like looking fair, but I was born tanned and I’ve always been tanned. Initially, I was very insecure about it but now I’m comfortable with the way I am. It’s a healthy glow and I’m not going to change that.

He’s a… model and marketing student at SIM
We know him for... peeing his pants during the improv round in the second semis. Not literally of course.
In a nutshell: He has the height, the muscles, and the leading man looks. He has also wanted to be an actor since he was a kid and says he would do anything to succeed in showbiz. If that’s not a winning combination, we don’t know what is.

8 DAYS: Tyler Ten is a great name for a star. Is it really your registered name or a stage name?
TYLER TEN: I think there was a spelling error somewhere up in the family register? My family members all have this surname, so I’m not sure how far this typo dates back to. I know only one other person who is not in my family with the same surname. But people misspelled it as Tan quite often.
What’s your best memory of school?
I was pretty rebellious in secondary school. (Ed: He's from Jurong View Secondary) My Mandarin teacher was so fed up with me that she chased me out of the classroom. I just kept annoying her and made fun of her till she snapped. We just didn’t like the way she taught us, so all of us kept talking back at her, but I was the only one who got chased out (laughs).
What was the weirdest part-time job you’ve ever had?
I worked as a Yakult mascot once. It was super warm wearing that thing for hours but the pay was really good. I’m now a part-time Muay Thai instructor — I’ve been doing it since I was 14, but I stopped for a while during my Singapore Poly days. I’ve practiced the sport for six years and I’ve been competitive for two years.
Any plans to become a professional fighter?
My parents don’t really like it because I get hurt, so I’ve only been fighting locally since all of us wear protection and the worst injuries we get are just bruises.
What do hope your first acting gig will be?
I’m hoping to act in an idol drama to leave a good first impression. (Laughs) I was just discussing this with some of the other guys and it would be cool if we can have our own version of F4. I’d want to play Xi Men (Ken Chu’s character in the Taiwanese version of Meteor Garden) because I don’t think I can pull off the permed hair the main character Dao Ming Si is supposed to have. And at the same time I think Xi Men is the most popular with girls.
So are you as popular with the girls?
Okay lah. Not as popular as the character for sure (laughs).
How does it feel being one of the favourites to win?
I just feel like it’s because of my appearance but there are still lots of improvements I have to make performance wise. I have very high expectations of myself, and I need to work on my confidence, stage aura and acting. I might seem self-assured on TV, but my mentality is that I’ll just do my best and leave the rest up to fate. I don’t think that highly of myself. I don’t consider myself good looking either.

She works as a… primary school teacher in Macau where she's from. Or rather, she used to work as one.
We know her for... besting her competition in the first semis and for saying that she looks like Cecilia Cheung… and getting flak for that.
In a nutshell: She’s got potential — she has what many people would peg as the “Ch 8 look” — but is she willing to make the big leap and move to Singapore if she wins?

8 DAYS: Now that you’re in this competition, what has happened to your teaching job in Macau?
CHANG HIO CHENG: I totally quit my job. It’s all about chasing my dream. It’s really hard to get into this industry and Star Search is a good platform for me to start something new. I also get to experience a different life in a country, so it’s good too!
Regardless of whether you win, is pursuing showbiz here something you want to do?
Despite the fact that I really enjoy this [line of work], I don’t think it’s feasible for me to stay ’cos I don’t have a permit or a job here. But when I’m back in Macau, I think I might just look out for local productions there. If not, I can always go back to teaching. (Laughs) I actually really love teaching!
Were you ever scouted to be star in Macau?
I don’t think we have such competitions there. People there usually get into showbiz through connections. I did act as a calefare in a couple for shows but that was just for fun.
If Vivian Lai hadn’t approached you on the streets when she was scouting for potential contestants, would you have joined the competition?
I was actually aware of the auditions happening and I thought of going for it, but the queue was too long! (Laughs) I left after they told me that I needed to wait for hours. So I went for a stroll around Orchard Road and bumped into Vivian. (Laughs)
What have your students said about you joining Star Search?
Some of my students follow me on Instagram and they’re quite surprised to see my posts! It’s a totally different side of me and they can’t believe it. They’re like, “Wah! It’s Ms Gini!” (Laughs)
Why do you go by your Chinese name instead of your English name Gini, which is easier to pronounce?
I wanted to use it and I asked the production crew about it but they didn’t give me an answer. I guess it’s ’cos there’s someone in the crew with the same name. But it’s okay. My Chinese name is my original name.
How do you like life in Singapore?
Singapore is way too hot. (Laughs) But it’s still manageable. Now that it’s autumn, I really miss Macau. The language barrier here is also something I’m afraid of. It’s not so much English ‘cos I used to teach it in school, but Singlish. I feel that if I want to connect with the people here I need to use Singlish. I’ve been told that the English I’ve been speaking is proper English, and it makes them uncomfortable (laughs). But I can’t figure out how to add Singlish in the middle of a sentence like, “Makan already?” (Laughs) I recently learnt that!

He’s a… part-time model and a engineering student at Temasek Polytechnic
We know him for... being the only contestant to burst out in tears when he found out he made it to the finals.
In a nutshell: The Chinese national, who has lived here since he was seven and now speaks better English than Mandarin, may not be one of the clear front-runners, but he’s got potential and photographs really well. A diamond in a rough that needs a little more polishing to truly shine.

8 DAYS: Are you someone who is easily moved to tears?
ZHAI SI MING: I don’t cry easily, but during the semis, I was worried about my performance because I didn’t feel that I did well. I was preparing myself for elimination. So when they called my name, my mind went blank and I just started crying. My friends took videos of me crying and they teased me, ‘Wah you cry ah!’ but I could also hear them cheering for me in the background of their videos, which I’m very thankful for.
What was your nickname back in school?
It’s ‘Siming Can Fly’. (Chuckles) When I was younger, I wanted to be a pilot, and when I grew older I wanted to be like Michael Jordan and do a slam dunk. For both these goals I needed to fly. Now that I think of it, they seem a bit ambitious (laughs).
Do you still want to be a pilot?
I wanted to be a pilot since I was seven. I still do, which is why I decided to study engineering. It was only after I entered poly did I realise that the course and being a pilot has no link whatsoever. I wanted to join the Singapore Youth Flying Club but they only train Singaporeans, which I’m not. I haven’t achieved my dream of becoming a pilot yet, but at least I can slam dunk now after I experienced an almost 30cm growth spurt in a single year when I was in Secondary 3. (Laughs) These days, my dream is to become an actor.
How did that come about?
I acted in a movie titled Meeting The Giant when I was in Secondary 5 [Ed: he's from Orchid Park Secondary] and after doing some calefare and small roles, I realised it’s something I could do for the rest of my life. I’ve had a lot of part-time jobs — I sold ice cream door-to-door when I was in secondary school, I’ve waited tables at banquets and I’ve worked in retail too. I remember earning S$100 for mopping the floors at basketball matches for a day and that was a ton of money for a 14-year-old.
What’s up with all the part-time jobs?
My mum went to the US when I was 19 because of her beauty business, so I’ve been living alone for about four years now. But even before that, I didn’t get extra allowance to watch movies or hang out with my friends, so I just wanted to earn some pocket money.
Are you still juggling a ton of part-time jobs?
Not really. I started modeling after I got scouted for Hey! Gorgeous in 2015. Of the entire batch of contestants that year, only [He] Ying Ying has stayed in showbiz. Hopefully I’ll join her soon too. (Grins)

She’s a… hospitality and tourism management student at Nanyang Polytechnic.
We know her for... being the tallest and youngest female contestant of the competition. The 1.78m Bukit Batok Secondary School alum also bears a striking resemblance to Chinese supermodel Liu Wen, which was what her fellow contestants were calling her during her photoshoot.
In a nutshell: She’s the definition of a fresh-faced beauty but might have more success as a model than an actress.

8 DAYS: When you were approached by Quan Yifeng and Dasmond Koh in Nanyang Polytechnic, we heard that you didn’t even know what Star Search was.
YE JIAYUN: (Laughs) Yeah… I didn’t know.... I don’t really watch TV and I was born in 2002 so I’ve never heard of the competition.
You still have quite a number of pics of yourself in your “ugly duckling” phase proudly displayed on your Instagram. Did you consider deleting them after joining the competition?
(Laughs) I did find them slightly embarrassing but I think it’s good to keep those pictures as memories! Next time, I can look back and see how much I’ve grown. I’m not afraid of people digging it out in the future! (Laughs) But I did delete some though, but it’s mostly irrelevant stuff like food.
A lot of people are envious of your height, but what are some tall people problems you’ve experienced?
When I was in secondary school, I felt very out of place. People would always stare at me when I walked on the streets but it’s okay... I got used to it. Random aunties would also come up to me and tell me that I’m very tall and I would just laugh. I was always this tall growing up, but sometimes I feel special, cos no offence, Singaporeans aren’t that tall (laughs). I’m above the average height. And after joining Star Search, I realised that it's good to be tall ‘cos everyone here is tall as well. [Ed: She's right. All the guys are at least 1.83m tall.]
Has your height posed a problem when it comes to finding a boyfriend?
When there’s a will, there’s a way (smiles).
Is your boyfriend taller than you?
Yeah. I knew him in secondary school and [we’ve been dating] since secondary four.
17 is pretty young to be a full-time actress. If you win, how are you planning to juggle school and work?
I think I would’ve to come up with an agreement so that I can handle my work and studies. I would probably be able to film shows during my school break.

She works as a… model and has been in campaigns for brands like NTUC Income OrangeHealth.
We know her for... She’s been pretty low profile compared to the other more attention-grabbing contestants but her emotional performance as a suicidal girlfriend in the WeMovie in the second semis was a standout.
In a nutshell: Models have always had an edge over the other contestants in Star Search, just look at Zoe Tay, Phyllis Quek and Christopher Lee. And judging from how comfortable the leggy beauty is in front of the camera, she stands a high chance in joining their ranks.

8 DAYS: You studied cyber digital security in Temasek Polytechnic. That’s a far cry from what you’re doing today.
SHERYL ANG: Like what the hell, right? I didn’t like it! (Laughs) I graduated last year so I’m modelling full-time. I’m done with studying, I don’t want to study anymore! (Laughs)
Besides modelling, what other jobs have you had?
When I had a long break after my O-Levels, I joined a company where I had to perform in stilts or be a mascot for events. Because of that I wore many mascot costumes but I don’t have a favourite ’cos all of them stank. (Laughs)
That’s a really tough job.
Yeah. The longest I’ve been in a mascot costume was one hour and I wanted to die. It was very hot and I was sweating inside but I took it as a workout. At that time, I felt very happy to make people smile… but I also felt happy when I made kids cry. (Laughs)
You mentioned that you walked on stilts too. What was that like?
The first time I walked on stilts was for an event for Great World Cabaret at Sentosa and it was scary at the first ’cos I have a fear of heights! But I am a person who likes to try new things so I thought I’d just try it out. Also, walking on stilts was kinda cool and it paid the most. (Laughs)
Did you fall down?
Yes, a couple of times. The most serious fall I had was when I slipped on oil. I did a split when I can’t even do a split! I sprained half my body but I just continued walking. It was so embarrassing! (Laughs)
Your Instagram handle is @rustyy_sheyyy. What does it mean?
I was watching this anime called Fairytale and there’s a character called Rustyrose. I thought he was quite cool so I decided to use it as my username, while Shey is just my nickname. I always ask people to call me Shey (laughs).
We also see on Instagram that you have a musician boyfriend.
Ex-boyfriend. (Laughs) I don’t see the need to delete our pics ’cos it’s really petty to do so. It’s quite a recent thing, we were together for one year and seven months before we broke up in August and it was a mutual decision.
Did the break-up affect your performance in Star Search?
No! (Laughs) ’Cos I was so busy with Star Search, I didn’t have time to think about [the break-up]. I mean, it was sad lah but you just gotta move on.

He’s a… marketing student at SIM and a part-time model.
We know him for... his super-hot bod. Just check out his Instagram.
In a nutshell: He has what it takes to be Ch 8’s next teen heartthrob with his strong oppa vibes and that aforementioned hot bod. He’s already a hit with the girls — he was surrounded by many female fans after the semis. Not bad right?

8 DAYS: You’re not a star yet but you already have fans waiting for you. How’s that like?
ZANE LIM: I’m very happy that there are people who actually support me. They’ve been very supportive. They put in a lot of effort to make cards and boards for me, and recently, a fan printed out a big board and brought it [to Mediacorp] for me to sign. She waited all the way until nighttime just to see me and I felt quite bad.
What’s modeling like for you?
Prior to being a model, I was an introvert but my friends pushed to me try modelling. I met more people and started to be more outgoing and my confidence grew.
You mentioned just now that you’re an introvert. How do you talk to girls then?
I don’t date lor. (Laughs) I just go to school, hang out with my guy friends and go home. I only dated one girl in my school and we broke up last year after being together for three years. I’m single now. (Laughs) Shall we go chiong tonight? (Laughs)
I’ve got to ask my boyfriend. Besides modelling, what other part-time jobs did you have?
Stripper. (Laughs) Kidding lah! I was a banquet server ’cos it paid very well! Actually, I was very lazy to find another job ’cos that meant that I would have to talk to more people and make friends all over again. Oh, I also had a job at Sheng Siong packing stuff with my younger sister. My mum told me to join her as she’s only 17 (laughs).

She works as a... freelance actress and host, mostly in Malaysia where she’s from.
We know her for... her striking platinum bob.
In a nutshell: We think Juin’s tenacity (she’s a talent competition veteran who refuses to give up on her showbiz dreams) and quick-witted spontaneity will be very useful in helping her go far… at least in this competition.

8 DAYS: Why didn’t you join the last Star Search in 2010 when you were 20?
JUIN TEH: I was studying in Taiwan at that time. I did go for auditions there, and I was so desperate that I took part in a singing competition even though I don’t actually know how to sing! (Laughs) But I just wanted to give it a shot.
You’re the oldest contestant among the Top 12. Do you see that as a good or bad thing?
Neither. Some people think you have to achieve certain things by a certain age, but I don’t believe in that. You can do whatever you want at any age. People shouldn’t say, “You’re 29 years old. You should be getting married and having kids. Why are you still taking part in competitions?” This sort of thinking needs to change and I hope I can help change that perception.
What interesting experiences have you had as a freelance host?
Earlier this year, I hosted an event in Johor Bahru, where I met Chen Hanwei and Bonnie Loo. Looking back, I feel like it was fate because these two names would follow me during my Star Search journey — Hanwei is my mentor and a lot of people have said I look like Bonnie.
Did Hanwei remember you when you met again for Star Search?
Yes! On our first day of class, he said, “Ah, Juin, I remember you, we’ve worked together before!” I was amazed.
Have you tried out for anything other than a showbiz career?
I interviewed to be a Singapore Airlines stewardess after graduating from university. I made it past the second round but never went for the training because I realised it wasn’t something I wanted to pursue in the long run. But I had a lot of fun during the interviews! One question was, “If you could change anything about your body, what would it be and why?” I said, “I would like to change my gender ’cos I wonder why men are always making women cry.” Everyone thought it was hilarious and I felt really cool. (Laughs)
Did that answer come from some horrible personal experience?
Yes. (Sighs) Two of my ex-boyfriends were cheaters. I found out one was cheating on me after reading his text messages, and another when I spotted love bites on him. On the bright side, I’ll be able to channel all these emotions into my acting! (Laughs)
Your Chinese name is Liu Yue, which is ‘June’ in Chinese, but why is your English name spelled as Juin?
My English name is actually June, but I wanted to make it more unique so that when people search for me online, my name would be the only one that appears.

She works as a… Freelance actress. You might recognise her from Toggle’s Demystifying TV or, if your memory is super good, a “very old” episode of Crimewatch, which she believes was her first-ever acting gig.
We know her for... being the competition’s ‘dark horse’, though it’s a label she doesn’t wish to be defined by.
In a nutshell: Jernelle is effectively bilingual, having majored in Chinese Media & Communication at Ngee Ann Poly and in Linguistics Multilingual Studies at NTU. She’s also a English and Chinese tutor. So switching between Ch 8 and Ch 5 productions would be a cinch for her.

8 DAYS: You mentioned that you’re attached. What does your boyfriend think of you joining Star Search?
JERNELLE OH: He’s been quite supportive. When we first knew each other, I told him about my various freelancing gigs, so he thinks Star Search is a good opportunity for me to go further.
During the semi-final, you talked about how you’re not very outstanding in terms of your looks. Why do you think so?
Since I was young, people would say that my eyes are small, and they would call me cute instead of pretty… which is still a compliment, I know. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I do think I’m beautiful! (Laughs)
Are you prepared to be scrutinised for your looks as a public figure?
I’m okay. I’m confident about my looks because I believe everyone is born different. My eyes may be smaller, but they have their own charm.
Do you think not being conventionally good-looking is a disadvantage in a competition like this?
Actually, I thought about this question recently, and I feel that as an artiste, you need to be versatile. There can’t just be only one type of look, so even if you look different, who knows? It might work in your favour ’cos people might remember you more for your unique appearance.
On that note, are you open to cosmetic procedures in the future?
At the moment, I don’t think I need any because I feel that things like exercise and healthy eating can change a lot. Plus, I don’t really like needles, so I don’t think I would lah. (Laughs) I’m open to the idea in the future if it’s for medical reasons, but right now, I’m quite content with the way I look.

He’s a… part-time model and a student majoring in dance at Lasalle College of the Arts.
We know him for... his long hair, which he has since chopped off.
In a nutshell: Thanks to his myriad of wacky facial expressions and tall, lanky frame, he’s looks set to be the next Andie Chen, who won Star Search in 2007. Will he repeat his predecessor’s crowning moment?

8 DAYS: Your performance during the improv round at the semi-finals was very amusing. Is being funny something you’re going for?
HERMAN KEH: I have a humorous personality and I like to make people laugh so I wanted to show that in my spontaneous act. I like to prank my friends and scare my friends! (Laughs) A lot of them say that I’m very funny so I guess I can rely on my humour and not my looks. (Laughs)
Were you just as playful in school?
Yes. It came to a point where my antics went overboard. I was a very mischievous boy back then who didn’t know how to stop. In secondary school, I would purposely disrupt class by walking around, causing a lot of inconvenience to my teacher. But it made everyone else laugh so... I got scolded daily. I only realised how immature I was when I grew up.
You’re a dance major in Laselle so how long have you been dancing for?
I’ve been dancing since I was 17 when I joined a dance CCA in school. I think dance has given me an edge when it comes to acting because of its movements. I am able to be comfortable even though acting isn’t the most comfortable thing for me to do. (Laughs)
From your Instagram, it seems like your girlfriend is a dancer too.
Um, we’re not together anymore. We broke up about one to two months ago after being together for two years. I don’t see the need to delete her pictures lah ’cos we’ve gone through so much together and I’ve learnt a lot from her. She played a big part in my life so I don’t wish to pretend like [the relationship] didn’t happen. While the break-up does affect me, the competition’s still a priority for me.
You started the competition with long hair. Why did you decide to cut it?
I had my long hair since leaving NS. It was my mentor Christopher Lee who suggested I cut it ’cos it would be easier to style instead of just tying it up all the time. And I prefer having shorter hair. I think I look younger. Before this, I looked like some 30-year-old. (Laughs) Everyone’s very shocked that I cut my hair ’cos they all know me for my long hair. But a lot of people have said that I look better now.

She’s a… student at ITE West College and a budding actress, who’s had roles in Toggle Originals like the junior college-set mystery Tribes.
We know her for... playing the new girl working for Joanne Peh’s mama-san character in the hit Toggle Original series Last Madame.
In a nutshell: She may be only 17, but already has tons of dance and acting experience under her belt, more so than her fellow contestants. Would most likely still be an actress if Star Search doesn’t work out for her.

8 DAYS: How was it working with Joanne Peh?
KIKI LIM: It’s my first time working with a huge star like her so I was scared initially. She’s a very hardworking actress who stays in character all the way throughout filming. But she’s a nice person when she breaks out of character during lunch break and she would come talk to us. (Laughs)
On your Facebook, we can see videos of you singing, dancing and acting. Is there anything you can’t do?
I cannot cook. But the funny thing is, I took Food and Nutrition when I was in secondary school! (Laughs) Okay, I may be able to cook but I don’t know if it’s edible. (Laughs) I mean, they always grade us based on the appearance of our food, so they don’t really taste it. Oh, there was once I was baking a muffin and it didn’t meet my expectations. So I added in random things until it looked acceptable. (Laughs) I added so much sugar and I didn’t have enough icing so I used ice cream as a substitute. I quickly submitted my dish and told the teacher to just take a picture first. (Laughs) I didn’t try it after she graded it ‘cos I was scared of what I had put inside. (Laughs)
One of your job experiences listed on your Facebook is ‘Former Aaron Kwok Dancer”. How did you get such a lobang?
That happened before I turned 10. There was this audition and my mum encouraged me to go for it and I got it. When I was backstage at the concert, I bumped into Aaron Kwok but I didn’t realise it was him ’cos I was just playing with my friends. (Laughs) My mum kept asking me to take a pic with him but I refused ’cos I just wanted to play! I really regret it now! He was so near to me and I still remember him smiling at me when he walked past!
You have been joining talent competitions since you were three. Do you still get the jitters?
Yes, I still get nervous. I can’t get over people staring at me ’cos I still find it so weird! A lot of people think I have an advantage ’cos I have more experience but there’s still a lot of pressure, especially during the spontaneous acting round. I don’t think I did too well but I guess I tried. (Laughs)

PHOTOS: AIK CHEN
STYLING: RANDOPLH TAN
OUTFITS: All outfits from Hugo

Star Search 2019 Grand Finals will air on Nov 3, 7pm on Ch 8 and Toggle.
For more on Star Search 2019, click here.