Acting greenhorn Kayly Loh wins local television contest The 5 Search

Entrepreneur Kayly Loh was crowned the winner of The 5 Search, a reality television talent competition organised by MediaCorp Channel 5, in the grand final held on Sunday night. -- PHOTO: MEDIACORP
Entrepreneur Kayly Loh was crowned the winner of The 5 Search, a reality television talent competition organised by MediaCorp Channel 5, in the grand final held on Sunday night. -- PHOTO: MEDIACORP

SINGAPORE - Entrepreneur Kayly Loh was crowned the winner of The 5 Search, a reality television talent competition organised by MediaCorp Channel 5, in the grand final held on Sunday night.

The 26 year-old, who did not have any acting and hosting experience before taking part in the contest, beat four other finalists: student Aiken Chia, 25; freelance performer Caryn Cheng, 26; service centre manager Michelle Wong, 23; and full-time national serviceman Shrey Bhargava,19.

Loh's win was decided by public votes (50 per cent) via SMS and Toggle Now app and by judges (50 per cent). The panel of judges includes actors Tay Ping Hui and Bryan Wong and actress-director Selena Tan, film director Eric Khoo and MediaCorp's head of celebrity network Georgina Chang.

Loh, who owns a display advertising company, cried onstage when her name was announced as the winner. She said: "Winning The 5 Search is a beautiful accident as I came in absolutely raw. Starting on a fresh slate allowed me to learn and absorb new hosting and acting skills."

Loh takes home a $30,000 cash prize as well as a two-year management contract with MediaCorp.

One of the judges, Selena Tan, 44 said: "It was a clear decision for me to pick Kayly as the winner; she has star quality and showed that she has the best of worlds in terms of both hosting and acting skills."

kengohsz@sph.com.sg

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