Zhang Zetong Makes Hosting Debut Alongside Guo Liang

Mediacorp actress Cheryl Chou has addressed speculation regarding her relationship with fellow actor Zhang Zetong following the announcement of their roles as hosts for the Star Awards 2026.

The rumors surfaced as Chou and Zhang were named as part of the hosting trio for the annual ceremony, which is scheduled to take place on April 19, 2026, at The Theatre at Mediacorp.

Addressing Relationship Rumors

In an interview with 8days.sg on April 1, 2026, the 30-year-old Miss Universe Singapore 2016 winner responded to claims that she is dating Zhang Zetong.

Chou attributed the frequency of her time spent with Zhang to their professional obligations, stating, I’ve been seeing him non-stop at work.

The speculation follows the two actors working closely together on multiple projects prior to their selection as hosts for the upcoming awards show.

Star Awards 2026 Hosting Debut

The Star Awards 2026 marks a significant career milestone for both Chou and Zhang, as both are making their debuts as hosts for a live awards ceremony.

They will be joined by veteran host Guo Liang, who provides a seasoned presence to the hosting lineup.

Chou revealed that she first learned of her appointment in early February 2026. She described her initial reaction as a bunch of nerves that she found difficult to process at the time.

While she has attended the Star Awards annually as a guest in the past, Chou noted that the current experience feels like stepping into a different role and expressed that she feels very honoured by the opportunity.

Mentorship and Preparation

Chou admitted that sharing the stage with an experienced presenter like Guo Liang could be daunting for a first-time host.

However, she characterized Guo Liang as supportive and nurturing, noting that he does not impose specific expectations on how the new hosts should behave.

According to Chou, Guo Liang offers guidance during meetings while encouraging the debut hosts to develop their own individual styles rather than conforming to a specific mold.

Event Details and Expectations

The main ceremony for the Star Awards 2026 is expected to have a runtime of 180 minutes, preceded by a 90-minute Walk of Fame segment.

The Walk of Fame will be hosted by a separate group, including Jeremy Chan, Lee Teng, Hazelle Teo and Germaine Tan, with Jeff Goh and Chen Ning handling backstage duties.

The event will be broadcast across multiple platforms, including Mediacorp Channel 8, Mediacorp Channel U, Umewatch, YouTube, and Astro AEC and Astro GO.

Among the formal awards, the All-time Favourite Artiste category features Carrie Wong and Romeo Tan. The production Emerald Hill – The Little Nyonya Story has secured the most nominations with 17.

The ceremony is also expected to feature several high-profile attendees, including Julian Cheung, Ada Choi, Bowie Lam, Kevin Tsai, and Jasper Liu.