SA2015: Zhang Zhen Huan sweeps his first Favourite awards

SA2015: Zhang Zhen Huan sweeps his first Favourite awards

Text: Toggle team
Photos: Lee Lay Na

He may not have made it into the Star Awards 2015 Top 20 Most Popular Artistes nomination list, but Zhang Zhen Huan was on a roll at Show 1 last night (April 19), bagging both Favourite Male Character and Favourite Onscreen Couple (with Jeanette Aw) for the first time since the awards were introduced in 2010 and 2011 respectively.

“I’m feeling a little dazed right now – I still don’t dare to believe this!” the Sichuan-born heartthrob admitted after lugging his shiny new trophies backstage for an interview. “I’ve mentioned before that as long as one of the 8 dukes wins, I’ll be very happy, and I feel very fortunate to be the one tonight. All of us have worked very hard and I hope people will continue to support us.”

And support is something that Zhen Huan has far from lacked: after a less-than-stellar outcome in the first results that saw him at the very bottom of the polls, his devotees gathered their strengths to propel him straight to pole position the very next week (where he stayed for the remainder of the voting period, as he did with Favourite Onscreen Couple since week one), proving just how formidable they are. “I’m very touched to have such passionate fans who worked hard to put these awards in my hands,” he proudly acknowledged.

SA2015: Zhang Zhen Huan sweeps his first Favourite awards

But despite the promising progress, Zhen Huan claimed that he “didn’t dare to think” about the possibility of winning, especially since his hopes of breaking into the Top 10 for the second year running have been dashed.

“Perhaps it’s true that the more you wish for something, the less likely you’ll get it,” he mused, adding that being pitted against strong competitors like Romeo Tan and Elvin Ng (who, with three trophies, has the most wins in this category) made him even more afraid to hope for victory.

With such an impressive triumph under his belt, does Zhen Huan have newfound confidence in walking home with Best Supporting Actor and the Toggle Outstanding Duke Award at next week’s Show 2?

While he has a decidedly stronger “come what may” attitude about the latter honour (which is still gathering votes, by the way), he was candid about wanting to strike gold in the former.

“I really want to get it, but to be frank, I know my chances are very slim,” he conceded. “However, to be nominated alongside Chen Han Wei da ge, Zhu Hou Ren da ge and Chen Shu Cheng da ge is already a huge form of affirmation for me.”

SA2015: Zhang Zhen Huan sweeps his first Favourite awards

Visit our Star Awards official website for more information, and stay tuned for more features.

Catch Star Awards 2015 - Prelude every Friday from April 3 to 24, 10.30pm on Ch8
Catch Star Awards 2015 Show 2 Walk of Fame on April 26 (Sun), 5pm, LIVE on Ch8
Catch Star Awards 2015 Show 2 Awards Ceremony on April 26 (Sun), 7pm, LIVE on Ch8
Catch Star Awards 2015 Show 2 Post Show Party on April 26 (Sun), 10.30pm, LIVE on Ch8

More on SA2015:
Best of Star Awards 2015 Show 1
Star Awards 2015: Show 1 Winners List
Big winner Jeanette Aw wishes to withdraw from voting categories
Shaun Chen bags first trophy in 13 years
Zhang Zhen Huan sweeps his first Favourite awards
Rui En and Elvin Ng not disappointed despite no win
WIN Star Award 2015 Show 2 tickets

WATCH Exclusive Interviews with Toggle:
Damien Teo wins the Young Talent Award!
Jeanette Aw: I will not participate in any voting categories again
Jeanette Aw never thought she would win the “Social Media Award”!
Jeanette Aw bags 3 awards for "Regional Most Popular Mediacorp Artiste"
Shaun Chen hopes to win more awards!
Chen Tian Wen feels he is more popular now than during the Golden Horse Awards!
Elvin Ng wants to be a Thai 'prince'!
Rui En's unhappy during Star Awards 2015 Show 1?

WATCH Show 1 Highlights:
Big Bank skit by Dennis Chew, Guo Liang, and Jeremy Chan
Chen Tian Wen crashes Social Media Award for 'Unbelievable' performance!
7 Princesses skit and Best Director Award
Hong Hui Fang and Chen Hanwei Skit
Mark Lee and Jack Neo take the stage
Favourite Male And Female Characters Awards
Favourite Onscreen Drama Couple Award