11TH SINGAPORE HIT AWARDS
Does Stef really deserve to win?
Or should top award have gone to Tanya?
By Chang May Choon
OUR Sun is back and shining brighter than ever.
At the 11th Singapore Hit Awards last evening, the irrepressible Stefanie Sun made history by winning the Best Local Artiste trophy for the fourth consecutive year.
Looking radiant in a black-and-pink ensemble, the 26-year-old gleefully accepted her trophy and proceeded to serenade the audience with her hit song, Encounter, from the movie Turn Left, Turn Right.
But, wait a minute, didn't she sing this same song when she took the Best Local artiste trophy last year too?
Stefanie has been on a one-year hiatus, during which she neither produced any albums nor had any significant achievement to show for.
So does she really deserve to win?
Fans of JJ Lin and Tanya Chua, both nominated in the same category, obviously didn't think so.
In fact, the cheers for JJ were noticeably louder than Stefanie's when the Best Local Artiste nomination list was announced on stage.
JJ supporter Michelle Wee, 19, said: 'We're shocked and very upset because we feel JJ should win. He's a very talented guy. He sang at the National Day Parade this year and he's done so much better for his second album, which is selling very well.
NO PRESENCE THIS YEAR
'Stefanie has no new album and we haven't felt her presence in the past year but, suddenly, she wins.'
Added Tanya's fan, Joyce Tan, 32: 'Stefanie is the obvious choice because she's Singapore's musical darling and undoubtedly she has the greatest international success.
'But if based on last year's performance, Best Local Artiste shouldn't be her.
'Tanya should win because she's made the most leaps and bounds compared to the other nominees. Her album is a great success both critically and commercially, and her performance has also matured.'
Even Stefanie wasn't too sure about taking home the Best Local Artiste trophy last night.
Speaking to reporters after the awards, she conceded: 'I'm a little embarrassed by it.
'I have no new album. Last year I sang Encounter and this year I also sang Encounter. But I'll definitely put out a very good album next to repay my fans.'
As for what contributed to her win, she said: 'My fans. They're very united and they're very supportive of me.'
According to Y.E.S 93.3 FM, which organised the Hit Awards, the winners were chosen by a panel of more than 20 judges from Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, China and Malaysia, comprising music directors from radio stations, TV producers for entertainment programmes and newspaper editors and reporters covering the showbiz scene.
Ms Veron Yeo, programme director of 93.3 FM, told The New Paper: '(For Best Local Artiste) the decision was based on album performance and also popularity locally and regionally.
'But there was close competition between Stefanie and JJ.'
She also attributed Stefanie's success to her hit song, Encounter.
'Encounter gave her a great advantage because it's very popular, be it due to the movie or that she sang it very well.'
Whatever the reason, Stefanie is not complaining.
Looking refreshed after a year's break, she said she has been enjoying life by 'travelling and idling'.
'I have been working too hard the past few years, and I really didn't have time for myself,' she said.
'I've done a lot of retrospective thinking during this time. I've been watching lots of TV and I realised, this (watching TV) is wo yao de xing fu (My Desired Happiness)... must plug my own song,' she added, with a laugh.
The recently-appointed Goodwill Ambassador for the local independent humanitarian organisation, Mercy Relief, is in the midst of preparing for her new album, which she says should be ready by October.
She declined to say what the new album will be like, but assured us that it will be a 'very good album'.
'I'm very happy doing the album, because I get to call the shots. I can say what I want or don't want.'
Doesn't she feel the pressure because this new album is her most highly-anticipated release to date?
'Yes, but I have a lot of confidence in it.'
Hopefully, it will also bring her a well-deserved win in the next Hit Awards. - additional reporting by WENDY TEO
S.H.E just wouldn't let him go
THE Singapore Hit Awards hit the right notes this year, with strong performances from winners like Faye Wong, Jolin Tsai, Eason Chan, F.I.R and Lee Hom, who tinkled the ivories like a true virtuoso.
Still, the event's highs didn't come from the performances, but these:
Ella and Lee Hom's eyebrow-raising hug Ella of Taiwanese girl band S.H.E threw her arms around Lee Hom and he reciprocated by hoisting her up in a passionate embrace.
She was on stage with bandmates Selina and Hebe to receive the Most Popular Group trophy and he was the presenter, alongside Fish Leong.
The audience laughed as Hebe, who has openly declared her admiration for Lee Hom, tried unsuccessfully to break them apart.
She then said: 'Winning should be a joyous moment, but I'm fuming with anger. How dare you hug my Lee Hom so tightly?'
She then got a hug from her idol too.
Later, Ella was grilled reporters and, tired of explaining the friendly hug, she pulled Lee Hom in and demanded an explanation from him too.
He teased: 'I like S.H.E, and you're the first to come on stage, so...'
Tanya Chua broke her no-win curse
For years, she has been confined to sitting in the audience and applauding fellow nominees, but Tanya has finally bagged some awards - three to be exact.
It all happened early in the ceremony, so the clearly elated songbird had to rush up and down the stage.
Sky and Jeff: Most shameless presenters
Old pals Sky Wu and Jeff Chang would win hands down if there was an award for best presenters.
They tickled the audience with their self deprecating humour and even shamelessly plugged Jeff's new album.
Sky said: 'You know, some people say you and I can vie for Best Group next year. After all, I've heard that I look like Tsuyoshi Domoto of Kinki Kids!'
Jeff retorted: 'You? Then I look like Takeshi Kaneshiro!'
Catch the delayed telecast of the Singapore Hit Awards on Channel 8 at 7pm tonight.
THE WINNERS
S.H.E: Most Popular Group (Gold), Courts My Favourite MV, Top 10 Songs Of The Year (Superstar, He Doesn't Understand), Artiste With Most Chart Hits
Faye Wong: Best Performing Regional Female Artiste, Best Female Vocalist, Honorary Award
Jay Chou: Best Album Production, Most Popular Male Artiste, Top 10 Songs Of The Year (Sunny Day)
Tanya Chua: Best Local Music Composition (Night Blindness), Best Local Music Arrangement (Deep), Top 10 Song Of The Year (Deep)
Stefanie Sun: Best Local Artiste, Top 10 Songs Of The Year (Encounter), Highest Airplay in Asia (Encounter)
Jolin Tsai:L Most Popular Female Artiste, Regional Most Popular Artiste (Taiwan), Top 10 Songs Of The Year (36 Tricks Of Love)
Energy: Most Popular Group (Silver), Top 10 Songs Of The Year (Someday and Missing You)
Lee Hom: Best Performing Regional Male Artiste, Top 10 Songs Of The Year (Love Is Omnipresent)
5566: Most Popular Group (Bronze), Rias Best-Selling Group
Fish Leong: Regional Most Popular Artiste (Malaysia)
Mayday: Best Group
F.I.R: Best New Artiste
Eason Chan: Best Male Vocalist
JJ Lin: Best Local Music Composition (River South)
Huang Yida: Most Promising New Local Artiste
Anson Hu: Regional Most Popular Artiste (China)
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