The 31st Star Awards, themed “Born To Glow,” is set to illuminate the achievements of Singapore’s television industry on April 19th. While veteran actor Xie Shaoguang’s compelling performance as a cancer-stricken tycoon in the Mediacorp drama The Gift of Time garnered widespread praise, he won’t be among those vying for awards this year. Shaoguang, a five-time Star Awards Best Actor winner, explained via social media that he is already semi-retired and wishes to spotlight currently active performers, giving them greater opportunities to shine. He also emphasized the collaborative nature of filmmaking, acknowledging the contributions of the entire production team.
The annual awards ceremony will offer an inside look at the process of creating stardom and this year introduces a new category: Best Microdrama, reflecting Mediacorp’s foray into short-form, mobile-first content. The Best Theme Song category is also evolving into Best Original Song, broadening the scope to include recognition for original sub-theme songs alongside main themes. Understanding who’s nominated for Star Awards 2026 provides a snapshot of the current landscape of Singaporean television and the talent driving its success.
New Faces and Familiar Names in the Host Category
In the Best Programme Host category, Xixi Lim has received her first nomination for her work on Say It Right! S2. She faces competition from established hosts including Bryan Wong, recognized for Makan On Wheels S2; Darren Lim, nominated for Unusual Weddings; Dennis Chew, for Mr Zhou’s Ghost Stories @ Singapore Sightings S2; and Guo Liang, who is nominated for his hosting of the Star Awards 2025 Award Ceremony. This diverse group of nominees highlights the breadth of programming on Mediacorp channels.
Xie Shaoguang’s Legacy and Continued Influence
Xie Shaoguang’s decision to step back from awards consideration underscores a career marked by significant contributions to Singaporean television. According to Wikipedia, Shaoguang began his acting career in 1989 with the series A Mother’s Love and has since become one of the most respected actors in the industry. He held the record for the most Star Awards Best Actor wins – five – for 15 years, before Chen Hanwei surpassed him in 2019. His recent return to acting in The Gift of Time, after a 20-year hiatus, proved his enduring talent, with viewers praising his nuanced and powerful performance. A clip shared on Instagram showed Shaoguang’s character, Huo Yan, initially enjoying a life of wealth before receiving a devastating cancer diagnosis, demonstrating the actor’s range and emotional depth.
A Changing Landscape for Mediacorp
The addition of the Best Microdrama category signals Mediacorp’s adaptation to evolving media consumption habits. The shift from Best Theme Song to Best Original Song acknowledges the increasing importance of music within television productions, recognizing not just the main themes but also the impactful sub-themes that contribute to the overall viewing experience. These changes reflect a commitment to innovation and recognizing talent across a wider spectrum of content formats.
The Star Awards ceremony, along with the Walk of Fame at 5pm, will be broadcast live on Channel 8, Channel U, mewatch, and the Mediacorp Entertainment YouTube Channel on April 19th, starting at 7pm. Backstage Live will provide behind-the-scenes access beginning at 3:30pm on mewatch and the Mediacorp Entertainment YouTube channel. For a complete list of nominees and further information, visit https://www.mediacorp.sg/starawards.
As the Singaporean television industry continues to evolve, the Star Awards remain a vital platform for celebrating its achievements and recognizing the dedication of its performers, and creators. The next key date for fans is April 19th, when the winners will be announced and the industry’s brightest stars will be honored.
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