Zheng Geping Was Once Told That Those From “His Category” Would Never Get A Top 10 Most Popular Award

8 DAYS: You missed out on the opportunity to get your 10th Top 10 award last year as the Awards was postponed. Are you extra nervous about this year’s results?

DENNIS CHEW: I told my radio co-host that I wasn’t last week but today, I’m starting to feel a bit nervous. My hands are starting to sweat thinking about it. (laughs)

I never expected my first Top 10 award because I’d missed out on so many prior to me playing Auntie Lucy, so I had zero expectations. But in 2019, I was very nervous because I was getting closer to 10 awards. Frankly, I really very gian this one. After this, I don't have to be involved in the Top 10 any more (chuckles).

Are you canvassing for votes differently since there’s no telepoll voting this year?

I was initially worried about my chances because making a phone call could be easier than going online for some people. But when I think about the Circuit Breaker, many of those in the older generation learned how to go online to apply for things. Hopefully, they'll vote for me online. (Laughs) That being said, all my friends are going all out to help me. I know that my loved ones are chionging for me every day.

What do you think are your chances of getting your 10th trophy this year?

Wah, I really don’t know. Maybe 50-50? There are 30 nominees in the category this year and that’s almost the whole Mediacorp! (Guffaws) It’s really a challenge this year.

Will you be bringing any lucky charms along with you to the Awards?

I’ll be wearing my red underwear! I used to wear it all the time, but I wore brown ones in 2015 since I didn’t want to be too superstitious. That year, I didn’t win anything! From then on, I would wear red underwear every year. (Laughs)

How would you be celebrating if you win?

I’m looking forward to resting (laughs). I’m hosting the behind-the-scenes show from 3.30pm to 10pm on the night of the awards, so I’ll be running around for almost the entire day. I’ll knock out after the awards and think about it after.

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Last year's Awards were postponed 'cos of the pandemic and so you couldn't get your final Top 10 award. Would you say you are extra nervous about this year’s results?

FELICIA CHIN: I didn’t think about it last year since that was one of the last things on our minds. I’m thankful that there’s Star Awards this year. Competition is very stiff because there are 30 nominees and everyone has an equal chance at it, and I can only keep my fingers crossed.

Are you canvassing for votes differently since there’s no telepoll voting this year?

I’ve met people on the streets who asked me for my telepoll number and I had to explain to them that there’s no phone voting this year (chuckles). I’ve been posting about voting on social media but I think we cannot be too thick-skinned and [have to] control the amount of times we post about such stuff (laughs).

I’m thankful to my friends and fans who have sent me DMs to tell me that they’re voting for me every day. Some people told me to rah-rah my fans a bit more since I’m so close to 'graduating', but there’s only so much I can do.

My mum has been voting and texts me to let me know that she can't do so on days that she has problems [logging in to vote]. I feel so blessed that so many people are voting for me.

How confident are you of 'graduating' from the Top 10 category this year?

I’m a bit nervous leh. (Laughs) To be honest, I really don’t know. Of course, it would feel really good if I can get the final award this year and I’ll have to count on everyone else for it. I guess that’s part and parcel of the excitement!

Do you have any lucky charms come awards season?

Just my prayers. I have no special underwear for the show (giggles).

Any celebratory plans this year?

I hope that I’m able to thank everyone personally, but at the very least, I hope to meet my friends and family to personally thank them. It’ll take some time since we can only do so in groups of eight.

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Last year's postponement meant that you had to wait an extra year before getting the chance to 'graduate'. Are you extra nervous about this year’s results?

ZHENG GEPING: I only got my first Top 10 award when I was in my 40s. Perhaps it’s because I’ve been in the industry for long, but I think I have a better hold on the fans than the younger artistes. (Laughs) But at the end of the day, it’s all up to the viewers to decide which artistes they think are deserving of the award.

I like the thought of getting my 10th trophy as it’ll be a new milestone in my career. If I do graduate, it'll be a brand new chapter for me and I'll work even harder as an actor and behind the scenes.

Are you canvassing for votes differently this year since there’s no telepoll voting?

I asked my fans and family for help. It’s based on online voting and it’s skewed towards the younger fans, but thanks to COVID-19, the older generation has learned how to be tech savvy too. My friends and family are more kancheong about it than I am. Some of them are asking their staff to vote for me every day and show them proof after. It’s not like they can say no to their boss! (Laughs) I’m really touched.

How high a chance do you think you have of getting your 10th trophy this year?

I can only say that I hope to get it. Those who say that they’re neutral about it are definitely lying (laughs). If I do manage to get my 10th trophy, I’ll become the oldest graduate! Those who got the All-Time Favourite award got it when they were a decade younger than I am!

If I do get the honour to be inducted to the All-Time Fave list, it’ll be a glimmer of hope for the older generation of artistes and proves that there’s a chance for us too. I started out from the bottom in showbiz and I’ve done all sorts of things like being a stuntman.

A long time ago, some people told me that “those in your category should never think about getting a Top 10 award”. I’m grateful that I’ve been given this opportunity though I started a bit later than others. I got here step by step. I want to prove that people in “my category” can make it too.

Do you believe in lucky charms?

Some people have lucky charms like red underwear or black roses, but I’ve never believed in that. I’ll just pray before I attend the show.

And how would you be celebrating if you win this year?

[If I do win], it would just be a small celebration with my family at home. This year’s show is quite long and I believe everyone will be quite tired. Plus, I would be working overnight the two days before the awards. I’m not getting any younger, okay? (Laughs)

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Catch meWATCH’s Live Commentary of Star Awards 2021 from 3.30pm - 10pm on meWATCH, or Mediacorp Entertainment Channel on YouTube on Sunday, April 18 2021.

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