Star Awards 2025: Nominees, New Awards & Xie Shaoguang’s Retirement
Singapore’s television industry is gearing up for the 31st Star Awards, set to illuminate the achievements of its stars on . This year’s ceremony, themed “Born To Glow,” promises a behind-the-scenes look at the making of stardom, alongside the recognition of exceptional talent across a range of categories. The event will be broadcast live on Channel 8, Channel U, mewatch, and the Mediacorp Entertainment YouTube Channel, with the Walk of Fame kicking off at and the main ceremony at . Backstage Live will begin earlier at on mewatch and the Mediacorp Entertainment YouTube channel.
The nominations, recently announced, reflect both established stars and emerging talent. In the Best Programme Host category, Xixi Lim has received her first nomination for her work on Say It Right! S2. She’s competing against Bryan Wong (Makan On Wheels S2), Darren Lim (Unusual Weddings), Dennis Chew (Mr Zhou’s Ghost Stories @ Singapore Sightings S2), and Guo Liang, who is recognized for hosting the Star Awards 2025 Award Ceremony itself.
However, a notable name absent from the nominations list is veteran actor Xie Shaoguang, despite critical acclaim for his performance in the Mediacorp drama The Gift of Time. Shaoguang, a prominent figure in Singaporean television for decades, preemptively addressed his absence in a message posted to social media. He stated, “I am already semi-retired and hope that the spotlight will be left to outstanding actors who are still active, giving them more opportunities to shine.”
Shaoguang’s statement is a gracious acknowledgement of the evolving landscape of the industry and a desire to create space for the next generation. He further emphasized the collaborative nature of acting, stating that “the creation of a character is never the work of one person alone,” and credited the contributions of the director, cinematographer, editors, costume designers, and the entire production team. This sentiment underscores a broader industry recognition of the multifaceted effort required to bring a compelling story to the screen.
Born on , Xie Shaoguang has enjoyed a long and distinguished career, beginning in 1989 with the television series A Mother’s Love. He was a full-time Mediacorp artiste from 1989 to 2005, and re-signed with the network in , citing potential future projects. He is widely regarded as one of Singapore’s best actors, having received five Star Awards for Best Actor – a record he held for 15 years before being surpassed by Chen Hanwei in 2019. He also boasts two Best Supporting Actor awards. His iconic role as the Chinese folk deity Ji Gong in the 1997 television series The Legends of Jigong remains a defining moment in his career.
Beyond the nominations and Shaoguang’s semi-retirement, the Star Awards 2025 also marks a significant evolution in its award categories. A new category, Best Microdrama, has been introduced, reflecting Mediacorp’s foray into the increasingly popular format of bite-sized, mobile-first content. This addition signals a commitment to recognizing innovation and creativity across all platforms, acknowledging the changing ways audiences consume entertainment.
the Best Theme Song category will evolve into Best Original Song, broadening the scope of recognition to include original sub-theme songs alongside main theme songs. This change demonstrates a desire to acknowledge the full spectrum of musical contributions to Mediacorp’s productions.
The 31st Star Awards promises to be a celebration of both established talent and emerging trends in Singaporean television. While Xie Shaoguang’s absence from the nominations may be felt by many, his gracious acceptance of a supporting role in the industry’s future speaks volumes about his character and his enduring legacy. The ceremony will undoubtedly provide a platform for recognizing the hard work and dedication of those who contribute to the vibrant world of Singaporean entertainment.
For more information and the full list of nominees, visit https://www.mediacorp.sg/starawards.