It’s official: No Star Awards this year and it will be back in April 2021
This year’s edition was initially postponed to the second half of 2020 but Mediacorp has now announced the show will be back on Apr 18 instead – and it will be a “bigger celebration”.
Zoe Tay took home the Best Actress award and Chen Hanwei was given the Best Actor award at Star Awards 2019. (Photo: Mediacorp Studio 3)
You won’t get to see your favourite local celebrities decked out in their awards show best this year or hear their acceptance speeches as they clutch their winning trophies – not even virtually.
The Star Awards will not be taking place this year. Instead, the ceremony will be combined with next year’s show, promising a “bigger celebration” for Star Awards 2021, according to a statement released by Mediacorp on Friday (Aug 7).
Star Awards 2021 – the 26th edition – will take place on Apr 18, 2021, with the qualifying period for nominees now running from Jan 1, 2019 to Dec 31, 2020.
How this will affect the format of the show has not been shared, with details to be revealed “in due course”.
READ: Zoe, Star Search, Aloysius: What went down at the Star Awards’ 25th anniversary
Mediacorp revealed that the decision to combine the shows “was made after careful consideration”, taking into account the evolving COVID-19 situation and the need to maintain vigilance.
It added: “In taking this decision, we continue to place the health and safety of our artistes, crew and guests as a top priority.”
Mediacorp originally announced in February that this year’s show, slated for Apr 26, would be postponed to the second half of the year.
Celebrities CNA Lifestyle spoke with at the time were supportive of the decision, with Sheila Sim saying, “The Star Awards is a day to celebrate and appreciate hard work. But every day should be a day to celebrate and appreciate health.”
The popular awards show has been a staple on local television for more than two decades with the 2019 edition taking the No 1 spot for most watched programme on Channel 8.
Veteran artistes ruled the show in 2019 with Zoe Tay and Chen Hanwei taking home the Best Actress and Best Actor awards, respectively, and Kym Ng clinching the All Time Favourite award.
