Star Awards 2026: Emerald Hill – The Little Nyonya Story wins Best Drama Serial

SINGAPORE – Blockbuster drama Emerald Hill – The Little Nyonya Story (2025), the front runner of the Star Awards 2026, won seven of its 17 nominations during Mediacorp’s annual television awards ceremony on April 19.

The spin-off of iconic series The Little Nyonya (2008) was named Best Drama Serial and swept major awards in the performance categories, from Best Actress (Jesseca Liu) and Best Supporting Actor (Tyler Ten) to Best Supporting Actress (Chen Liping) and the Young Talent Award (Ivory Chia).

Its theme song, Echoes Of Petals, was named Best Original Song, and its travel series Emerald Hill – Our Hillside Moments (2025) won Best Entertainment Programme.

Emerald Hill also scored multiple nominations in several categories.

The next most-nominated show, Another Wok Of Life (2025), got five nominations, but did not win any awards.

At The Theatre at Mediacorp, 19 awards were presented across programme, performance and popularity categories, including the new Best Microdrama prize for the bite-size, mobile-first format.

Ten, 30, won Best Supporting Actor for playing a street gangster in Emerald Hill. He thanked his family, friends and fan club, and said: “When I felt lost, many seniors told me all actors are waiting for an opportunity. Today, my waiting has paid off.

“For me, Bai Ah Li is not just a role. It is a turning point, and I cherish every opportunity to perform. I will continue to work hard.”

Chen won Best Supporting Actress for playing a street con artist and gambler in Emerald Hill. Although the 60-year-old could not be present, she sent a video clip in which she thanked the production team of Emerald Hill, and said: “Filming any kind of drama is really hard.

“But after the broadcast, I knew that the audience was really moved. I am truly grateful because of you all.”

Desmond Tan, 39, won Best Actor for playing a pair of identical twins with polar personalities in Devil Behind The Gate.

“I really didn’t expect to receive this award this year because the competition was so fierce,” he said. “To act, to play a role well – it is not easy. For me, the most important thing is to have a great team.”

Liu, 47, clinched Best Actress for her role as a kind-hearted wife in Emerald Hill.

“I feel like my journey is like riding a unicycle. At the beginning, I fell and got hurt badly. And at one point, I even thought about giving up. But then I realised I was not alone,” she said. “There will always be someone to help (me) up. So, I want to thank the whole team behind the scenes of Emerald Hill. Twenty-two years have passed, and I am still on this unicycle.”

Romeo Tan and Carrie Wong received the All-Time Favourite Artiste awards. This accolade is for winning 10 cumulative Top 10 awards in either the male or female artiste category. They received their prizes from Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth Baey Yam Keng.

Wong, 32, thanked her fan club, saying: “I never imagined that one day I would be standing on this stage to receive this trophy. Along the way, there have been highs and lows, applause and doubts. Gradually, I came to understand that true growth does not happen in an instant.

“It is about telling yourself to persevere and try a little harder when you are feeling anxious, confused or want to give up.”

Tan, 41, thanked his mother, and said: “I was not noticed from the start. I started from scratch, standing in the corner, slowly waiting for an opportunity. Then I worked step by step, gradually moving in front of the audience. Because of my perseverance, my dream shines. Thank you everyone.”

Themed Born To Glow, the show was hosted by veteran host Guo Liang, actor Zhang Ze Tong and actress Cheryl Chou.

The presenters included Hong Kong actors Julian Cheung, Bowie Lam and Ada Choi, and Taiwanese host Kevin Tsai and actors Jasper Liu and Hsieh Ying-xuan.

One presenter, Chinese singer-actor Luo Yunxi, also took the stage to perform the ballad With You from the Chinese period drama Whispers Of Fate (2025).

Star Awards 2026: List of main winners

Programme awards:

Best Drama Serial: Emerald Hill – The Little Nyonya Story

Best Microdrama: Woke Up In The 60s In My Grandma’s Apron

Best Entertainment Programme: Emerald Hill – Our Hillside Moments

Best Short-form Entertainment Programme: Yes 933 Comedy Series

Best Infotainment Programme: Pedal On For Love

Best Original Song: Echoes Of Petals from Emerald Hill – The Little Nyonya Story, sung by Kit Chan

Best Radio Programme: Love 972 The Breakfast Quartet

Performance awards:

Best Actor: Desmond Tan for Devil Behind The Gate

Best Actress: Jesseca Liu for Emerald Hill – The Little Nyonya Story

Best Supporting Actor: Tyler Ten for Emerald Hill – The Little Nyonya Story

Best Supporting Actress: Chen Liping for Emerald Hill – The Little Nyonya Story

Best Programme Host (Entertainment & Infotainment): Guo Liang for Star Awards 2025 Award Ceremony

Young Talent Award: Ivory Chia for Emerald Hill – The Little Nyonya Story

Best Rising Star: Gladys Bay for Under The Net

Best Audio Personality: Dennis Chew for Love 972 Mr Zhou’s Ghost Stories

Popularity awards:

Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes: Ayden Sng, Benjamin Tan, Desmond Tan, Guo Liang, Jeff Goh, Marcus Chin, Nick Teo, Richie Koh, Shaun Chen, Xu Bin

Top 10 Most Popular Female Artistes: Chantalle Ng, Chen Biyu, Chen Ning, Denise Camillia Tan, Gao Mei Gui, Hazelle Teo, Hong Ling, Paige Chua, Tasha Low, Ya Hui

Most Popular Rising Stars: Tyler Ten, Juin Teh, Zhang Ze Tong

All-time Favourite Artiste: Carrie Wong, Romeo Tan