Behind the Scenes at Star Awards 2025: Diehard Fans Arrive Early

Towards the conclusion of the red carpet segment at Star Awards 2025 on July 6, a fan – let’s label him Enthusiastic Fan – expressed his intention to wait outside Mediacorp until midnight. He estimated this would involve a six-hour wait, timed with the ending of the post-event festivities.

Despite lacking a ticket for the main show in The Theatre at Mediacorp, the thought of possibly catching a glimpse of the stars as they left was enough motivation for him. It seemed like a call worth making.

Earlier that evening, I noticed him setting up a stool to hold his camera tripod, eager to record the entire red carpet experience. He remained grounded in the same spot throughout the hour, likely more willing to endure the heat than miss capturing even a second of the event, which he could easily stream live on his mobile.

However, Enthusiastic Fan’s slightly hesitant decision to stay until the after-party contrasted sharply with another individual I’d describe as Even More Enthusiastic Fan.

The latter scoffed when asked about staying until midnight. Arriving at 9 AM, even before the 5 PM start time, he was determined to secure his share of selfies and star encounters.

“Absolutely, I’m staying! With over 200 celebrities here, it’s totally worth it! How could we not?” Even More Enthusiastic Fan exclaimed in Mandarin, seemingly appalled at the suggestion of leaving early.

“No reward comes without hard work!”

CAMPING FOR CELEBRITIES

Excuse my confusion here. I understand the excitement over securing Taylor Swift tickets or camping out at airports to see K-pop stars, but arriving at the Star Awards eight hours in advance seemed unnecessary. I was convinced there was no need to “chope” or reserve spots when demand would surely be covered.

However, by 4 PM – just an hour before the red carpet started – my assumptions were challenged by around 200 fans who didn’t hesitate to endure the heat, eagerly awaiting their beloved stars.

Astonishingly, a variety of fan clubs showcased numerous celebrities I was just beginning to learn about that evening.

Among the creative club names were Elvinology (Elvin Ng), The Beckers Team (Rebecca Lim), Carrieteristic (Carrie Wong), DesTheWay (Desmond Ng), Felicity (Felicia Chin), and The Juliet Club (Romeo Tan).

Some fan clubs opted for simpler names adorned with their idol’s name: Zoe Tay, Ya Hui, Yvonne Lim, Joanne Peh, Bonnie Loo, Lee Teng, Tyler Ten, and Paige Chua, among others.

What stood out was their willingness to discuss the passion they held for their respective idols. One first-time attendee, Olivia Lee, mentioned her admiration for Elvin Ng, whom she found “very genuine” during her interactions.

Reflecting on her experiences, she shared, “When you meet him, you sense his warmth. He’s down-to-earth and feels approachable, almost like a friend.”

It seems humility is a common trait that fans appreciate in their idols. Members from the Yverlasting Yvonne fan club echoed similar sentiments about actress Yvonne Lim, who was honored with the All-Time Favourite Artiste trophy that night.

Catherine Pang, a part-time administrative worker in her 60s, has always enjoyed Yvonne Lim’s films but has only recently become an avid follower. She noted Lim’s sincere interactions with fans online.

With her was Tan Lay Tin, a devoted fan who has attended the Star Awards five times. She recounted a kind gesture when Lim offered to buy her a Milo when she felt unwell during their first encounter.

Engaging with members of The Beckers Team, one of the longstanding fan clubs, Louisa Tan mentioned she lost track of how many times she had attended the Star Awards in support of Rebecca Lim.

Even though Lim had previously won the All-Time Favourite Artiste trophy and did not compete for an award at this event, Tan stated, “We’re here to support her, regardless.”

“Rebecca is very relatable and puts her heart into fan interactions. You feel a connection,” Tan added.

Despite the sporadic cheers for each celebrity announced, the atmosphere felt rather subdued. Many fans were content to follow the livestream on their phones while seated right in front of the action.

That changed with the arrival of nominee and eventual Best Rising Star winner, Tyler Ten, whose presence elicited deafening screams from the crowd. Despite not being familiar with him, it made me realize how out of touch I had become with current Mediacorp talent.

Gone are the days when local dramas filled my evenings, anchored by beloved icons like Ivy Lee. Celebrity culture that was once revered now faces a different perception.

However, seeing legendary stars like Fann Wong, Christopher Lee, Zoe Tay, and Li Nanxing walk down the red carpet took me back in time, especially when winners of the All-Time Favourite Artiste award gathered together on stage to kickstart the main ceremony.

Gradually, I began to understand the fervent devotion of fans surrounding me.

My admiration for the celebrities whose work resonates with me remains unchanged. While our choices may differ, the essence of that admiration is universal.

In essence, how different are fans of modern Mediacorp celebrities from Swifties, political supporters, or football fans? Perhaps not much, as Mark Twain once noted: “Fame is a vapour, popularity an accident; the only earthly certainty is oblivion.”

Perhaps every fandom seeks something greater than themselves to escape such oblivion.

As the show neared its conclusion, I noticed fans without tickets still lingering in the theatre lobby, including Even More Enthusiastic Fan from earlier, holding strong to his commitment to stay until midnight. Another was Vincent Lim, a 21-year-old F&B worker who took a day off specifically to attend Star Awards. Though he didn’t come for any one star, his genuine excitement shone through.

Despite any laughter at his devotion, I genuinely wished that his evening had exceeded all his expectations.