Hong Ling Prioritizes Family Over Work After Winning Star Awards 2025

Hong Ling’s Award Night Thoughts

After claiming the Top 10 Most Popular Female Artistes award, what went through Hong Ling’s mind? The 30-year-old Mediacorp actress, nominated for Best Actress for her role as a troubled policewoman in *Unforgivable*, proudly took home her fourth trophy at the Star Awards on July 6.

Unexpected Interaction with Chow Yun Fat

Upon joyfully accepting her award from guest presenter Chow Yun Fat, he unexpectedly drew her in for a moment of levity. He teasingly mentioned a song titled “Cai Hong Ling,” playfully referencing her name. This charming interaction left her overjoyed.

“I thought, ‘Wow, he’s genuinely friendly! I was the only one who got to experience that,’” she shared with enthusiasm.

Celebration Plans

Feeling a bit hungry after not having dinner, Hong Ling expressed her eagerness for a post-award feast. “I plan to enjoy some Haidilao and McSpicy, but I’ll space them out—one day I’ll have one, then the other,” she laughed.

Thanking Her Fans

When asked about how she plans to celebrate with her fans, she stated, “I take them out to eat each time I win. It’s my way of showing appreciation, but I let them choose the location.”

When jokingly asked about cooking for them, Hong Ling revealed that she and her husband, Nick Teo, recently moved into a new home, making the idea appealing. “I love cooking, so it might just work out!” she said.

Supporting Her Husband

Concerned about her husband’s feelings after not winning an award, she was relaxed about the situation. “Winning is tough; even I doubted my chances!” she mentioned. “There’s always next year for him.”

Family Comes First

Hong Ling emphasized that her current focus is family over career achievements. “Work is secondary for us right now,” she explained.

A Challenging Year

This year has been tough for Hong Ling, especially following her mother’s passing and a miscarriage in February. When reflecting on her award hopes, she admitted, “Honestly, I wasn’t yearning for an award much this year due to everything happening around me.”

Surprise Win

She expressed surprise at her win, saying, “I didn’t expect it after last year’s disappointment.” After hearing the eighth name called, she felt a sense of defeat, but her name came up next, leading to a wave of joy.

Feelings About the Best Actress Award

Despite being a favorite for the Best Actress award two years prior, she had mixed feelings this year. “Although I hoped for *Your World In Mine*, I recognized I didn’t perform well this time,” she admitted. “It was touching that many liked my role, yet I still felt uncertain about the nomination.”