Xiang Yun, Chen Hanwei Top Award Winners' Haul

Since the inaugural edition in 1994, she has received 21 Star Awards, while he has won 20

- Benson Ang

Come July 6, a new batch of local actors will be celebrated at the annual Star Awards at The Theatre at Mediacorp.

But regardless of who wins, one honour will remain unchanged—Xiang Yun and Chen Hanwei are the female and male artistes who have scooped the most trophies in the ceremony's history, since its inaugural edition in 1994.

Xiang Yun, 63, has received 21 Star Awards, including 11 popularity awards and 10 performance awards. Host Quan Yifeng is in second place with 20 awards (11 popularity, nine performance) and actress-host Kym Ng is third with 18 awards (11 popularity, seven performance).

Chen, 55, has won 20 Star Awards—11 popularity awards and nine performance awards. Hot on his heels are actor Xie Shaoguang and actor-host-DJ Mark Lee, who each have 19 awards (11 popularity, eight performance).

Nominees of performance awards are determined by an expert panel, and judged by a group of industry veterans and established media practitioners. Popularity awards are qualification-based—all artistes who meet the stated criteria will be included in the race for public votes.

In separate interviews with The Straits Times on June 26, both stars said they have not kept track of their tallies, but that the awards take pride of place in their homes.

Xiang Yun showcases them in a cabinet, together with another seven Star Awards—all in the popularity category—clinched by her husband, actor and artist Edmund Chen, 64. The celebrity couple have two children—actor-artist Chen Xi, 34, and actress-influencer Chen Yixin, 25.