Who Are They? 11 Star Awards 2024 Most Popular Artiste Nominees You May Not Be Familiar With

This year's Star Awards Most Popular Male and Female Artistes nominee list has a whopping 94 names — the most in Star Awards history. So we’re not surprised if there are faces on it that have you scratching your head and going: “Who?”

One reason is that a good number of the nominees are radio DJs and so if you don't tune in to their station, you most probably won't recognise their names, let alone their faces.

Fret not. We’re here to acquaint you with 11 of these artistes, so you can better cast your vote and maybe one of them may make it up on stage come April 21. 

1. Ko Ee Sim/ Gao Yixin

Yixin is a Capital 958 DJ, and has helmed her own shows on the station since 2011. She currently hosts the 6-10am belt (城市早点名) alongside Phua Kia Peow and former current affairs host-turned-DJ Qi Qi.

2. Ng Seok Khoong/ Huang Shujun

Like Yixin, Shujun is also a long-time jock on Capital 958, and she now hosts the station’s 10am-12noon belt (城市爱生活). The presenter began her career in the newsroom and has hosted many events, including CPF and Pioneer Generation roadshows. Perhaps some of you may recognise her from these occasions?

3. Liang Peng/ Liang Ping

Liang Ping is a veteran DJ who joined FM 93.3 (now known as YES 933) in 1990. She led FM93.3's first radio broadcast training sessions in 1993, and went on to do the same for Capital 958 in 2001. She was the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award at Singapore Radio Awards in 2011, and now helms Capital 958’s Saturday morning show (周末早早起) from 6 to 10am.

4. Joe Tsoi/ Cai Rongzu

Joe, aka Ah Zu, made his showbiz debut as a singer but has since pivoted his career to focus on hosting, both on television and radio. He is the latest member of Love 972’s Breakfast Quartet (wait... shouldn't they be called a quintet now?), and is on air weekdays, 6-11am with Chen Biyu, Marcus Chin, Mark Lee, and Dennis Chew.

5. Alfred Sun

The local singer- actor-model is best known for his appearance on talent searches, namely the Malaysia-Singapore edition of The Voice in 2017, and Taiwan’s Jungle Voice (2018). Last year, he starred as Jin Kai De in Silent Walls opposite Meixin and Desmond Ng.

6. Raymond Foong

Raymond has been a Capital 958 DJ since 2018, and currently helms the weekday 2-4pm belt (城市漫格调), where he often shares the latest in technology and gadgets.

7. Lina Tan

Lina, aka Nana, began her career in radio in the ‘90s, and has been the emcee for music showcases featuring stars like Grasshopper, Faye Wong, and Alex To. She hosts Love 972’s weeknights 9-11pm belt (最爱古得耐) with Guo Liang.

8. Soo Wee Seng

Malaysia-born Wee Seng is a popular Chinese comic, who has played supporting roles in local dramas for the past five years. In 2023 alone, he appeared in five shows, including The Sky Is Still Blue, Family Ties, My One and Only, Stranger in the Dark, and Till the End.

If his name still doesn’t ring a bell, perhaps some might remember him as the Shifu in Till the End who can sense the presence of a spirit, played by Kym Ng.

9. Vincent Lim

If you’re a frequent viewer of Ch 8 news, you will recognise news anchor Vincent, who is also a DJ on Capital 958. He helms segments on 8world News, as well as the station’s 4-8pm belt (城市号列车) with Wu Weiying.

10.  Yan Wei Xiao Er/ Tan Yan Wei

Yan Wei, who goes by the nickname Xiao Er, is a main member of local YouTube crew, Outcasts, and also the person behind popular social media account mysecrethacks, which focuses on sharing technology tips with its followers. He is a former YES 933 DJ, who now hosts the occasional 8world Entertainment & Lifestyle interview. He also hosted the live audience segment during last year's Star Awards.

Fun (okay, not-so-fun) fact: He made the news last June when he was detained by security in a Dubai Mall for taking selfies.

11. Eric Lay

Eric is an actor from Malaysia and has appeared in movies, TV series, and variety shows across the Causeway since 2016. Local audiences may recognise him in supporting roles in Mediacorp productions like A Quest To Heal, and more recently, in episode nine of Mr Zhou’s Ghost Stories @ Job Hunting.

To vote for these categories, click here.

Catch the Backstage LIVE event of Star Awards 2024 from 3.30pm - 10.30pm on mewatch or Mediacorp Entertainment YouTube Channel on April 21 (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 Star Awards 2024 Live Show 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 April 28 (Sunday).

Photos: Mediacorp, Chinapress
Gao Yixin, Joe Tsoi, Alfred Sun, Raymond Foong, Vincent Lim, Yan Wei Xiao Er, Eric Lay/ Instagram

You can also watch the #JustSwipeLah episode below to find out more about the nominees.