Richie Koh Wanted To Be Prince Charming, Hong Ling & Nick Teo Almost Missed The Show & Other Star Awards 2023 Backstage Goss

You watched Huang Biren extend her reign as Best Actress, and saw Richie Koh take a selfie with Sammi Cheng on stage. You were also probably as surprised as the DJs who took home their first ever Star Awards.

But did you know that Hong Ling and Nick Teo almost didn't make it back in time from their holiday for the ceremony? Or that Edwin Goh crocheted his own top?

Now that the excitement from Star Awards 2023 has settled, let 8days.sg take you backstage for some exclusive goss and stories behind their looks.

Hazelle Teo

The YES933 jock looked stunning in a gown from Envie De Pois, a boutique in Ion Orchard that has dressed her for the past two years.

"If either Kunhua [her The Shuang and Kunz Show co-host] or I win the award, we will go on a honeymoon, and we'll live stream the entire trip... We're just gonna take some time out for ourselves, you know. Just two of us, on leave, away from radio, away from Singapore," she told us before the show.

Oops, sorry guys. Maybe next year?

Nick Teo and Hong Ling

The couple almost did not make it back in time for the Star Awards.

"We got back from our wedding shoot (in Jeju) yesterday (April 8) at 5am," said Nick. "It went great but our flight was delayed due to strong winds and heavy rains. We extended our trip by three days and [explored] Seoul. Honestly we were a bit afraid we wouldn't make it back in time, but we knew we had to get back for [Star Awards] no matter what."

Believe it or not, the couple did not plan on wearing matching outfits, with Nick calling it a coincidence. "But we wanted our jewellery and watches, which are from Bulgari and Tag Heuer, to be the same," he said. 

Benjamin Tan

The actor was one of the first celebs we saw fully glammed-up backstage so we guess being ready early is Ben's thing.

"I had this custom-made suit prepared since February 'cos I knew it was going to be difficult to loan and get clothes as everyone would be fighting for outfits during awards season. I also chose this colour 'cos I love green and I love plants," said Ben.

Jernelle Oh

"[Mediacorp's wardrobe department] was in charge of making my dress. They gave me two zips so it's easier for when I need to make a quick change. They also added a small pocket [on the inside of my dress] for my phone and other items 'cos I'm running around and they're afraid I won't have space to put my stuff. They were so sweet!" said Jernelle, who is as much of a multi-tasker as her fluffy dress.

She was the roving reporter for Backstage Live, Mediacorp's coverage of what was happening behind-the-scenes during the show, and was also involved with the opening number along with the other Rising Star nominees. 

Phew!

Tyler Ten

For a guy as hunky as Tyler, he sure has really cutesy tastes in lunchboxes. And we totally dig it.

"I brought a lunchbox this year too, but I finished my food already. I prepared ham, cheese and egg wrap, I ate like three of them. [The lunchbox] is quite cute right!"

For those who don't remember, Tyler had a My Melody lunchbox last year.

Shawn Thia

The actor was surrounded by an entourage of managers and security when we approached him. "Are your questions gonna be scary?" he joked.

"Today I am all dressed up in Zegna, my jewellery is from Bulgari, and my watch is from IWC. I'm a little bit stressed 'cos I think the necklace alone is S$100K, which is why I have a security guard right behind, ready to pounce if you all do anything to me. It's not to protect me lah, it's to protect the jewellery 'cos it costs as much as the downpayment for an HDB flat."

Even though it was his first Star Awards, Shawn wasn't feeling too nervous.

When asked if he got any tips from his boss Xiao Ming — Shawn is signed to Xiaoming's company SGAG as an artiste — who attended the ceremony last year, Shawn laughed and said: " How can you ask Xiao Ming for tips for Star Awards?! If I ask him for tips right, maybe next year they'll ban me... I'm just kidding."

Ayden Sng

The Most Popular Rising Star winner only just returned from Thailand where he was shooting upcoming blockbuster Road to Riches. It was why he didn't attend the rehearsals for the opening segment, which featured all the nominees for Rising Star.

"Tyler and I are just going on stage to walk around," laughed Ayden, about his Road to Riches co-star who also missed the rehearsals because of their overseas shoot.

"The whole point of this Rising Star thing is to showcase the wave of young people entering the industry, and from that performance, you can tell that there are a lot of new faces and a lot of new talent, so I'm actually quite... I'm thrilled to be part of this thing lah, even though I'm a bit old already (laughs)," the 30-year-old added.

As for his Valentino outfit, Ayden said it was actually a back-up option. "But when I wore it, it just kind of fit. I saw in the changing room how the light kinda hits the sequins, and I thought it would be a very interesting red carpet moment. And then I decided to go with it lor (laughs)."

If you want to know more about Ayden's sparkly suit, click here.

Desmond Tan

Last year, Desmond attended the Star Awards for the first time as married man, and said he got a good luck hug and kiss from his wife before the show. So of course, we had to ask if they did anything special this year.

"She sent me to work 'cos she needed the car as well," Des chuckled, before adding: "I got the usual ones: the hugs, the kisses and hopefully I'll get some celebration kisses when I go home tonight with an actual award." 

Let's hope Desmond got more action than kisses when he got home since he snagged his seventh Most Popular trophy that night. 

Edwin Goh

Yes, Edwin's shimmery crocheted sleeveless top was made by the crochet sensei himself and it took an entire week. “These are actual crystals and not beads and they are quite expensive," he said. "A week is considered fast, but also because I gave it all my attention. I was doing it day and night.”

His only regret? That he didn't hit the gym more before the awards. "But I think it worked out in the end 'cos the look would not work if my arms were too big," he said. 

Juin Teh

"My styling is sort of an homage to Audrey Hepburn," said Juin, who said that her dress is not from a "big brand", but a Johor Bahru wedding gown company recommended to her by a friend. 

"My friend who went for the fitting with me also thought it looked really good. He's a guy so I think it’s an outfit that both guys and girls would find very nice," added the JB native. 

While back in her hometown, Juin also bought some dried fruits to snack on and share with her colleagues on the stressful day.

“Dried fruits are so expensive in Singapore, so I like to get them when I’m back in JB!" she quipped, while munching on her snacks and offering us some. 

So this is how Audrey Hepburn would look if she was snacking on dried fruit.

Kym Ng

"Yes I did my own make-up before coming, now I just need to get dressed!" said Kym, who was the only star that was super chill with getting her photo taken before getting all dolled up. And that's why we love Kym so much.

Richie Koh

“I’m at the age where I think I can be a Prince Charming so I chose white for my first outfit," said 29-year-old Richie, who accessorised his look with a watch from Hublot and rings and a necklace from French luxury jeweller Fred.
 
When we asked if he was worried that his fans would, um, riot, if he didn't win Best Actor, Richie said: "Don’t riot lah, later police come and find me."

Guess he had nothing to worry about after all.

Photos: Pyron Tan, Medicaorp Photo Studio, Desmond Tan/ Instagram, Juin Teh/ Instagram

Rewatch Star Awards 2023 below.