SA2015 Top 20: who will be in, and who will be out?

Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes

Shoo-ins: Elvin Ng, Qi Yuwu, Dennis Chew, Zheng Geping

Elvin Ng has been bringing home the “Top 10” award every year since he was first nominated in 2006. Just two more trophies away from gaining entry into the All-Time Favourites hall of fame, we believe his devoted fans will pull all stops to let their idol win this coveted prize tomorrow night – especially after an unexpected drop-out during Week 4 of voting and his “Favourite Male Character” defeat last week.

If all goes well for daddy-to-be Qi Yuwu, the 38-year-old will be accorded his 10th “Top 10” trophy this year. The actor may have lost his spot last week, but he is doing well in the online voting segment which would be instrumental in this final lap.

In the last five years, Dennis Chew (or better known as “Aunty Lucy”) never once failed to bag a “Top 10” trophy. Since Week 2, the multi-hyphenate has maintained a rock solid position in the list, and is most likely guaranteed a place on stage tomorrow.

This year, veteran actor Zheng Geping has held an unwavering spot since voting began. Judging from past years’ results,we’re pretty sure his supporters will push through all odds for the hunkle to find his way on the top 10 list. We are almost certain that Geping will NOT go home empty-handed.

In the safe zone: Xu Bin, Desmond Tan, Romeo Tan, Shane Pow, Lee Teng, Shaun Chen

It is barely an overstatement to say that the widely marketed “8 Dukes” are a force to be reckoned with. In 2014 alone, a total of four dramas starring Xu Bin was aired and with Ch8 long-form drama 118 still running, the actor has been appearingon our screens on a daily basis.

Apart from participating in Ch8’s major dramas Against The Tide and The Journey: Tumultuous Times, Desmond Tan’s debut comedy role in Ch5’s Spouse For House earned him his first Asian Television Awards nomination and is a sign of his versatility as an actor. The fashionable Duke is also the face of several reknowned brands.

Romeo Tan’s strikingly distinct roles in The Journey: Tumultuous Times and Yes We Can! were notable, while first-time “Top 10” nominee Shane Pow has shown marked improvement in his hosting and acting skills in the past year. His involvement in Singapore film Ms J Contemplates Her Choice and various endorsements have also given him increased exposure to the local audience.

Each of these Dukes has a huge following on their respective social media platforms as well as their own tech-savvy fan bases, which essentially plays a big part in ensuring their spots in “Top 10”.

This year, Lee Teng continues his good work in the hosting department. Thanks to his Left Profile boss Michelle Chong’s support and lobbying on social media, the glib-talker has stood firm in the list for the past three weeks. Chances for Lee Teng to repeat his “Top 10” triumph are high.

Garnering equally impressive results for his acting and boost in popularity is Shaun Chen. His “Best Actor” nomination did not come as a surprise as his performances in Blessings and The Journey: Tumultuous Times have received positive reviews from both the media and TV viewers. After snagging the Rocket Award last week, the actor could very well bring home his second or even third Star Awards trophy tomorrow.

In dangerous waters: Ian Fang, Pornsak, Dasmond Koh

Last year, Ian Fang shockingly failed to make the final list despite his resilience in the weekly results. Based on current standings, Ian stands a good chance at avenging the insult, as long as his fans do not rest on their laurels.

For the past few weeks, Pornsak has been swinging in and out of the “Top 10” ranking. Although he does not have as strong an online following as the rest, his popularity with the aunties and backing from his boss Michelle Chong might prove to be decisive in his fight for the top honours.

While Dasmond Koh has a strong footing in the list, his position could easily be threatened by the rest of the young and hungry artistes as well as their dedicated fans.

Top 10 Most Popular Female Artistes

Shoo-ins: Rui En, Rebecca Lim, Joanne Peh, Ya Hui

As Jeanette Aw and Vivien Lai are initiated into the All-Time Favourites hall of fame this year, there is more room for new faces to make their way into that sought-after list.

Rui En and Rebecca Lim, two of the most beloved personalities in local showbiz, have held unfaltering spots in the list throughout the voting period. With strong support from her die-hard fans RBKD, Rui En looks set to collect her 10th trophy and graduate from the popularity contest.

Media darling Rebecca Lim remains a hot favourite among fans. This may be the actress’ fourth nomination, but looking at the numerous projects and endorsement deals under her belt, we can safely say that Rebecca’s name is here to stay (on the list).

Another regular on the list is mummy-to-be Joanne Peh, who has also nabbed double nominations for “Best Supporting Actress” (The Journey: Tumultuous Times) and “Best Actress” (C.L.I.F. 3). Even though her weekly results have been rather unstable, we are pretty sure her fans would go on a mad dash during the final lap, like they always do.

Ya Hui clinched her first “Top 10” nomination and triumph last year. After starring as the female lead in ChU drama Served H.O.T. and becoming a fixed cast member in 118, Ya Hui’s popularity has increased by leaps and bounds. With viewers’ minds still fresh with images of her adorable character “Cai Jia Jia” in Life Is Beautiful, it is highly likely that the starlet would claim her second trophy tomorrow night.

In the safe zone: Chris Tong, Julie Tan, Felicia Chin, Carrie Wong, Quan Yifong, Belinda Lee

This week, Chris Tong, who won her first “Top 10” trophy last year, dropped out of the list for the first time since voting started. But her well-received performance in The Caregivers and international fan base still puts her in good position to win the prize for the consecutive year.

In 2014, Julie Tan went home empty-handed for the second year in a row and was visibly (and understandably) disappointed with the results. During the press conference for the “Top 40” nominees, the 22-year-old even declared that she will retreat from showbiz if she fails to win again. Her words must have frightened her fans who made sure that their idol claimed a steady spot in the ranking week after week.

Within a year after returning to MediaCorp, Felicia Chin snagged three nominations (“Best Actress”, “Top 10” and “Favourite Female Character”) at Star Awards 2015. Falling out of the list only once over the past six weeks, the actress is tipped to bring home her first SA trophy in five years.

It has been a fruitful year for newcomer Carrie Wong. In her first project after joining MediaCorp, the 21-year-old got to act alongside her idols Christopher Lee and Rui En in Against The Tide. Her role as “Tang Shui Mei” in The Journey: Tumultuous Times brought her to new heights and opened multiple doors for the budding actress, including nominations for “Best Newcomer” and “Best Supporting Actress” as well as the opportunity to take part in 118.

As compared to her peers who debuted during the same period as the actress, Carrie’s popularity far exceeds the rest. The up-and-coming actress has shown great potential in the weekly updates; we wouldn’t be surprised if she manages to beat her seniors to bag her first win.

Now that the “Top 10” list is dominated by the new-generation celebrities, veteran artistes such as Quan Yifong faces growing competition to be victorious in this category. As past results have shown, the variety Ah Jie is likely to outrun the other nominees on the night of the awards ceremony, despite a shabby performance during the initial voting period.

Three’s a charm for Belinda Lee, who has successfully joined the ranks for two years running. Her performance in both online voting and combined results has been ideal, so it is greatly possible for the actress-host to retain her position in the list.

In dangerous waters: Kym Ng, Paige Chua

There’s no doubt about the viewers’ adoration for Kym Ng. But when compared to her competitors, the actress-host’s appeal to the younger crowd (who forms a significant part of the online voting demography) might not be as strong – a probable reason for her defeat last year.

Although Paige Chua appeared in only one show Against The Tide last year, viewers got to watch her in recent dramas including Good Luck, Let It Go and LOVE. Among her past four “Top 10” nominations, the actress won the prize in 2012.

At current standings, both Kym and Paige still stand a chance at winning the prize. The key to the outcome would likely depend on their fans’ perseverance from now till the end of the voting period.

Past Top 20 updates:
Felicia Chin takes Joanne Peh’s Top 20 spot this week
Xu Bin and Felicia Chin fall out of Top 20 favour
SA2015: Elvin Ng loses his Top 20 spot this week
Pornsak and Kym Ng welcomed into SA2015 Top 20 this week
SA2015: Jayley Woo and Shaun Chen out of Top 20 this week
First-time nominees’ roaring start in SA2015 Top 20

Check out our coverage of Star Awards 2015 Show 1:
Star Awards 2015: Show 1 Winners List
PHOTOS: Best of Star Awards 2015 Show 1
PHOTOS: What you didn’t see on TV at Star Awards 2015 Show 1
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
Big winner Jeanette Aw wishes to withdraw from voting categories
PHOTOS: Rui En smiles at award ceremonies