Latest news with #Mediacorp
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Tony Eusoff: 'I'm barred from entering Singapore'
KUALA LUMPUR: Actor Tony Eusoff has said that he remains barred from entering Singapore following his past drug conviction. In a news report today, the 48-year-old actor, whose real name is Anthony Joseph Hermas Rajiman, revealed that he has attempted to apply for permission to enter the island republic several times since his release in 2016, but without success. "So far, I have applied (for the permit via online application) three or four times. But there has been no response yet," he said. Tony, who was sentenced to eight months' imprisonment in Singapore in April 2016 for possession of Class A controlled drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act, accepts the consequences of his actions. "I don't blame anyone. What has happened is the repercussion of my own shortcomings. I admit that I'm the one who didn't respect the laws of the country. Now I have to bear the consequences." Despite his past, Tony expressed gratitude for an early release. "But I'm grateful that I was released three months early. I believe everything happens for a reason. It was the lesson of my life," he added. Despite being barred from entering the country, Tony is thankful that his drama series was permitted to air there. "I was offered to act in a drama series titled 'Chiron', which was aired on Mediacorp's Suria channel. "What impressed me was that the production was willing to come to Malaysia to film my scenes, as I could not go there due to the ban. "And I even won an award for my acting in the drama series. Life is strange sometimes," he said.
AsiaOne
a day ago
- Entertainment
- AsiaOne
Ex-Mediacorp actress Le Yao makes introspective post after Ian Fang's conviction, Entertainment News
Former Mediacorp actress Le Yao has made an introspective post after Ian Fang was sentenced to jail for sexual offences against a minor. In an Instagram post today (May 20), the 42-year-old, also known as Zully Le, wrote that celebrity status is a "double-edged sword". "You want to enjoy the benefits from the limelight but don't set strict standards for yourself? You want to have social influence and make a lot of money, but don't obey the law and be a good citizen?" she added. "It's impossible to be so greedy as to 'have it all'." Le Yao wrote that she had recently read some local news that made her emotional. Though she did not mention Ian by name in her post, she later told 8World that it was because of his conviction. The 35-year-old former Mediacorp actor pleaded guilty to three charges of sexual penetration of a girl under 16. Three similar charges were taken into consideration for sentencing, along with one count of obstructing justice and one count of stalking. He received 40 months' jail on May 19, with his sentence expected to start in June. Ian was an acting teacher with a modelling school during the time of his offences, where he was teaching children aged four to 14. "Every adult is a role model and mentor for the younger generation. Children will look at things naively and believe in their teachers," Le Yao wrote. "Parents also teach them this way: Listen to teachers. "So as a practitioner in the education industry and a mother, I firmly resist people with bad morals entering the education industry. " Le Yao pursued a diploma in the Teaching Chinese Language course at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in 2010 and currently teaches at a speech and drama centre. She added that people may firstly "not have the professional knowledge to teach" but secondly, if they have "bad conduct", they should avoid the industry to "not bring irreparable harm to the new generation of young people". [embed] Le Yao started her showbiz career with Mediacorp after placing as a finalist in Star Search 2001. Her acting credits include The Unbeatables III (2002), Holland V (2003), The Oath (2011) and My Friends from Afar (2017). This article has been edited for clarity. [[nid:717963]] drimac@
CNA
a day ago
- Entertainment
- CNA
Actor Andie Chen has not won anything at Star Awards in 27-year career: 'It should be my turn already'
Now that Star Awards 2025 is around the corner, are celebs starting to get anxious about going home empty-handed on Jul 6? Among them is ex-Mediacorp actor Andie Chen, who has not received a single award at the annual ceremony despite being in the industry for close to three decades. In fact, when informed about his nominations for Best Actor, Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes as well as BYD Favourite Male Character this year, the 39-year-old admitted that he's already mentally prepared to be disappointed again. "Because I've been in the running for so many times. I'm happy every time I'm nominated, but I will be a little afraid too," the four-time Best Actor nominee told Chinese media 8world. Back in 2017, Chen was in the running for Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor and Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes, but still went home without a trophy. As if that experience wasn't painful enough, history repeated itself last year, causing Chen to joke that he's already gotten "Star Awards Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)". This year, Chen is nominated for Best Actor for his performance as a stern dad in Born To Shine. He's up against Christopher Lee (Kill Sera Sera), Gavin Teo (To Be Loved), Qi Yuwu (Once Upon A New Year's Eve) and Richie Koh (Coded Love). So what does Chen think are his odds of bringing home the title this time? 'Those who won before still fight what fight, the newcomers still come and snatch from me," he joked. "I already have it so hard! Shouldn't they let the 'old man' win? It should be my turn already!" The Star Search 2007 champion, who's been acting since he was 11, even took this opportunity to quip: "Just a reminder to everyone, I've been in the industry for 27 years okay!". That said, Chen admitted that he doesn't harbour much hopes of winning, and doesn't dare to think too much about it either. "I'm still very grateful, because the character I played this time isn't that likeable. So to be seen by the judges is quite a happy thing for me," he said. To Chen, his biggest competitors are Lee, Qi and Koh, who have all won Best Actor at Star Awards before. "I think big brother Chris' hands are tired from receiving so many awards, he doesn't need to fight with the younger generation anymore!" he added. As for whether or not he can finally bring at least one trophy home, Chen then laughed: "I'll leave this question to the audience and judges. Is it time for me to break the curse?" But here's the plot twist: Chen is still unable to confirm if he can make it for the event as he may be filming in Taiwan then. Wouldn't it be ironic if Chen finally wins something but ends up being a no-show at the ceremony?
CNA
a day ago
- Entertainment
- CNA
New series Korban Part II is first Mediacorp Malay drama filmed entirely in New Zealand
Mediacorp's new Malay drama, Korban Part II, was filmed entirely in New Zealand, the media company announced. The series, which premiered on Thursday (May 29), is the first Mediacorp Malay drama to boast this accolade. The highly anticipated follow-up to the award-winning drama Korban features scenic landscapes, Maori traditions, as well as cast members from New Zealand, Malaysia and Singapore. Maori actor Evander Brown, who plays Ari, the fiance of main character Aisyah, even learnt to speak Malay for his role, Mediacorp said. Korban Part II follows Aisyah, played by Singaporean actress Rae Saleha, a gifted chef who migrates to New Zealand in pursuit of the secret behind her ultimate dish. But when she unexpectedly loses her sense of taste, Aisyah is forced to confront her identity, faith and cultural roots. As she navigates unfamiliar land and traditions, she begins a soul-searching journey of self-discovery – uniting Muslim and Maori culture, cuisine and community to create a legacy all her own. The series also stars Nurul Aini and Hans Isaac. Its prequel, Korban, previously won the Best Videography award at Mediacorp's Pesta Perdana 2023, as well as Best Cinematography and Best Actress: Narrative awards at the New Zealand International Digital WebFest 2022. It was also a finalist for the Best Digital Series and Best Leading Female Performance – Digital Category in the Asia Television Awards 2022, as well as the Best Digital Series award for the Web Global Festival Hollywood 2022, among other accolades.
CNA
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- CNA
This 987 Star finalist is a real-life Nigerian prince
When you think of royalty, you would probably imagine bodyguards, a chauffeur, and maybe even a convoy? Well, consider slightly disappointed when we didn't notice an entourage tailing behind 987 Star finalist Aligwoekwe Kluivert Chimsomaga. In fact, the 20-year-old told us his mum dropped him off for this interview. Guess that's the life of a real-life Nigerian prince living in Singapore. 987 Star is a talent search for, you guessed it, 987's next big thing. The winner will receive S$5,000 in cash and a contract with the Mediacorp radio station. Going simply as Kluivert (the 'u' is silent), he animatedly launches into story mode when we asked about his… royal status. 'My title hails from a village in the Imohe state of Nigeria where my grandfather is the chief. My dad who is also a prince, is first in line, making me second-in-line to the position,' he said. Chimsomaga's parents – his mum is Singaporean-Chinese – met and got married in Singapore. They are both in their 50s now. He is also the second of their four children and the only boy. Like him, his sisters are in school as well. Chimsomaga, who is also fluent in Mandarin, was born right here in Singapore and studied at Pei Hwa Presbyterian Primary School and Assumption English Secondary School. He is now a final year Mass Communications student at Ngee Ann Polytechnic. Thanks to his Nigerian heritage, Chimsomaga naturally stood out in school, often drawing curious stares, and had his fair share of Black Panther jokes. 'They started calling me Prince T'Challa (the real name of Black Panther) after I told them about my title,' he laughed. However, Chimsomaga who is currently single, said royal responsibilities are not on his to-do list. 'I like my life here and I am Singaporean after all. Honestly, I am more 'Prince of Bukit Panjang' at the moment," he laughed. In fact, Chimsomaga said he is due to enlist for National Service sometime next year. Can't get any more Singaporean than that if you ask us. At press time, we found out that Chimsomaga didn't make it into the top four of 987 Star. However, he was optimistic during our chat and said he was open to whatever comes his way. He told us he has already started applying for internships, a prerequisite before he can graduate from Ngee Ann Poly. And yes, Chimsomaga is still applying to be part of 987. 'Even if I don't win, I already went further than I expected. I believe I have that X-factor that sets me apart from the rest of the contestants, and I'll be leveraging on it whether it's on radio or an online personality,' he said.
