With Star Awards on Sunday (Jul 6), it's time for us to recall the performances that made an impression on our collective consciousness over the past year and predict who will go home with an award.

Will the cast of sex crimes police procedural Unforgivable stand out given the heavy theme of the drama? Or will the stars of equally dark murder mystery drama Kill Sera Sera reap killer returns?

Is Andie Chen, who's nominated for Best Actor for the fourth time, going to finally earn his first Star Awards trophy? Or will Christopher Lee, who's nominated for both Best Actor and Best Program Host, go home as the night's biggest winner? 8days.sg, along with three industry insiders, who shall remain completely anonymous, boldly make predictions. And as it turns out, there's no front runner this year. Now isn't that exciting? 

Best Actor

Andie Chen - Born to Shine

Christopher Lee - Kill Sera Sera

Gavin Teo - To Be Loved

Qi Yuwu - Once Upon A New Year's Eve

Richie Koh - Coded Love

INDUSTRY WATCHER: Honestly, the nominees are strong this year. For me, it’s between Andie Chen (as a stern father obsessed with PSLE in Born to Shine) and Qi Yuwu('sself-centered man who times travels to make amends with his family)in Once Upon A New Year's Eve. I enjoyed both their performances and they executed their roles with emotion.

INDUSTRY INSIDER: Richie, who played a man who uses AI to bring his dead mum back in Coded Love, has consistently proven his talent in his recent dramas, and his nuanced performances mark him as one of the most promising young actors in Singapore's entertainment scene.

MEDIACORP ACTOR: The best actor for me is Christopher Lee. His acting is approved not only in Singapore, but also in Taiwan and China. Kill Sera Sera is very intense in itself, and a lot of times, the actor needs the storyline to [help them] bring out their best performance. The difficult part is getting all the subtle expressions right, and I believe Chris did it well. 

8DAYS' PICK! Christopher Lee with his restrained yet searing performance as a grieving father dealing with his daughter's gruesome death in murder mystery Kill Sera Sera showed why he's the best actor in Singapore, Malaysia, and many people say Taiwan.

Best Actress

Chantalle Ng - Hope Afloat

Felicia Chin - I Do, Do I?

Hong Ling - Unforgivable

Jesseca Liu - Unforgivable

Jessica Hsuan - Kill Sera Sera

INDUSTRY WATCHER: I’ll have to say Hong Ling. The character she played in Unforgivable is very different from her other roles. Her role as Guan Lin could mark her breakthrough. No one expected her character to meet such a tragic end, and it left a huge impact on me as a viewer.

INDUSTRY INSIDER: Chantalle’s portrayal of a paralympian swimmer was both moving and authentic, delivering an emotionally resonant performance that truly stood out.

MEDIACORP ACTOR: My vote is for Chantalle. I've watched her since she was a kid, and I've always believed she's born to be an actress. She's very smart, confident, and hardworking, and I know that she did very thorough research to portray her role as Tian Qing in Hope Afloat. She's able to deliver all her roles differently, and she is very good when it comes to getting into a character naturally. 

8DAYS PICK! Hong Ling's steady march towards leading lady status will be firmly cemented by her role as an ill-fated police officer with a tragic past. The scene her character was killed was hard to watch but also impossible to turn away from.  

Best Supporting Actor

Chen Hanwei - Unforgivable

Chen Shu Cheng - Unforgivable

Guo Liang - To Be Loved  

Pierre Png  -Moments  

Xu Bin - Kill Sera Sera

INDUSTRY WATCHER: I’d say Chen Hanwei just ‘cos his performance in the drama was really heartfelt. I even teared a little during his scenes — his portrayal of the role was raw and definitely affecting. 

INDUSTRY INSIDER: In Unforgivable, Chen Hanwei brought remarkable depth and emotional intensity to his role, once again showing why he remains a powerhouse in the industry.

MEDIACORP ACTOR: I think Chen Shu Cheng will win. Like Kill Sera Sera, Unforgivable is also a very heavy show. His role as a brothel boss is not an easy one to play, and I think he portrayed the character well. He's been in this line for so long, and it's really not easy to consistently give such top performances. 

8DAYS PICK! We know, we know, betting on Chen Hanwei to win an acting award is like picking Taylor Swift to write a hit song — it's a no brainer! But Hanwei's innocent man wrongfully jailed for murder in Unforgivable has winner written in every pained and anguished expression. 

Best Supporting Actress

Cynthia Koh - Hope Afloat

Lynn Lim - Kill Sera Sera

Meixin - Born to Shine

Tasha Low - Coded Love

Ya Hui-Coded Love

INDUSTRY WATCHER: I am rooting for Ya Hui to win this award as I was very moved by the way she portrayed the intensity and desperation in her role as [the unhinged lovesick boss lady] Cate in Coded Love.

INDUSTRY INSIDER: Cynthia delivered a heartfelt and layered performance [as a devoted mother caring for her paralysed daughter] in Hope Afloat.

MEDIACORP ACTOR: My pick is Cynthia, without a doubt. She really deserves this award. For many actors these days, a big part of it is how much they can perform from the heart. This comes naturally for her, and it reflects in the emotions she shows in her roles. She's also consistent, and I think she was able to shine in Hope Afloat. 

8DAYS PICK! Cynthia Koh's heartfelt and touching performance as a mother who gives her all to her paralysed daughter in Hope Afloat proved that Cynthia can act circles around everyone. And as they say, give and you shall receive... a Star Award. 

Best Program Host (Entertainment & Infotainment)

Bryan Wong - Makan On Wheels

Christopher Lee - Dishing With Chris Lee S2

Hazelle Teo - Star Awards 2024 - Walk of Fame 红星大奖 2024

Jeremy Chan - Double J BAEcation

Joanne Peh - A Conversation with Minister

INDUSTRY WATCHER: The nominees for this category are strong as well, but if I had to pick one host I would have to say Christopher Lee. Dishing with Chris was an enjoyable watch, and has been very well-received by the audience too.

INDUSTRY INSIDER: I really enjoy Christopher’s authentic hosting style. S1 was already a hit, and S2 continues to be entertaining and full of heart.

MEDIACORP ACTOR: I think Bryan Wong will win. People know him as a host from day one, and of all the shows, Makan On Wheels is one where he really had to do his homework beforehand, and host at the right pace which is entertaining for the audience. He also had to 'take care' of the other two less experienced hosts (Herman Keh and celeb chef Melvyn Lee), and he had to lead, as well as monitor the chemistry between them. It's not easy, especially when you're on the move. 

8DAYS PICK! Do we think Christopher Lee will win for hosting a show that he won for two years ago? Yes. Do we think he will be the big winner of the night? Double yes. 

You can head down to www.mediacorp.sg/starawards to vote for your favourite artistes. 

Catch the Backstage LIVE event of Star Awards 2025 from 3.30pm - 10.30pm on mewatch or Mediacorp Entertainment YouTube Channel on July 6 (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 2025 Live Show from 7pm - 10pm on mewatch, Ch 8, Ch U, and Mediacorp Entertainment YouTube Channel.

The night will end off with the Post-Party from 10pm – 1030pm on mewatch, Ch U, and Mediacorp Entertainment YouTube Channel.

Photos: Mediacorp