“I Don’t Think I Should Feel Paiseh Because I Really Respect The Award”: Huang Biren On Winning Best Actress 2 Years In A Row

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Huang Biren, 54, was the winner of the Best Actress Award at Star Awards last night (Apr 9), but seriously, was anyone really surprised by the win?

Her heart-wrenching performance in Your World In Mine as the mum of intellectually disabled Zheng Tiancai (played by Richie Koh, who was named Best Actor) made her a shoo-in for the award the minute the noms were announced.

Speaking to 8days.sg backstage, Biren said she feels “blessed” to be able to win the award two years in a row.

She continued: “Actually, I didn’t expect consecutive wins. Time flies and it feels like I just won the previous [Best Actress] award weeks ago. I didn’t set my expectations high although I was named a hot favourite. I did not want to give myself the pressure ‘cos I already got it last year. It’s not like ‘I don’t want it this year ‘cos I already got it last year’, but I was calm, like, if it’s not me, it’s not me, it’s okay.”

The actress also shared that award or no, she was confident in her performance and happy with what she “handed in for the show”.

For her, luck also plays an important part in winning any award. “It depends on a lot of contributing factors. It depends on whether the judges like my delivery ‘cos I might meet another set of judges who don’t want to see this kind of performance… in which case, it would not be me [winning]! So actually I think I’m lucky, and I’m happy and grateful,” she explained.

As for those who are bugging Biren to make way for younger artistes to win the award, the actress wants to assure everyone that they will have nothing to fret over next year.

She laughed as she said: “Okay, don’t worry, don’t worry. This year I haven’t been involved in any projects yet, so next year I won’t have any eligible projects by the time the next Star Award comes ‘round. Last year my daughter was taking PSLE, so after filming Your World In Mine, I told production I wouldn’t film anything until the end of last year. I am cast in a show that [will start filming] in a few months, but it won’t be out in time to participate in the next awards season.”

When asked if she feels “paiseh” about winning the award again, the actress coolly said: “I don’t think I should feel paiseh, because I respect the award.”

“There is a certain degree of honour in receiving this award. No matter how old or young you are, you shouldn’t feel paiseh like “oh, I think the seniors should get the award, I’m young so I can wait”. If you have done well and you’re awarded, people want to give you the recognition, so be grateful and accept it graciously and be thankful. I think that’s important,” she said.

Hong Ling, who played Biren’s daughter in Your World In Mine, lost out to her for the Best Actress title. She also failed to make it into the Top 10 list this year. But Biren has some encouraging words for her on-screen daughter.

“I was really upset when she didn’t get the Top 10 award. She did very well for the show, and I think being nominated was already a form of recognition. I think the audience has also seen the leap [in her growth]. We had emotional scenes together and it’s not easy to have your co-actors truly feel the [same thing as you], which helps to better your performance - and she was able to do that. She didn’t get this Best Actress award but mummy here is most willing to share with her because I know one day she will get it. It’s only a matter of getting another good role and a deserving show,” said Biren.

Watch Biren's winning moment below:

Catch up on the Star Awards 2023 on meWATCH here.

Photos: Mediacorp Photo Studio, Huang Biren/ Instagram