ZOE

A defining figure in Singapore's entertainment industry, Zoe Tay reflects on her legacy, the growth of storytelling and the ever-changing meaning of home.

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There are few names as synonymous with Singapore as Zoe Tay. Fondly known as the Queen of Caldecott Hill, she has firmly cemented her place in local pop culture, renowned for her striking looks, raspy, gravitas-laden voice and undeniable acting chops. Now 57 years old, Tay's journey began in modelling, eventually clinching first prize in the 1988 Star Search, which landed her a three-year contract with Mediacorp and gave her a leg up in acting.

“Modelling is quite different as posing for shots is different from acting,” she reflects. “My career in acting started after winning Star Search, and honestly, I've been blessed with the opportunities given to me: good stories and scripts over the years. Working with many different actors, including overseas ones, gave me varied perspectives and experiences along the way.”

Tay clinched Star Awards as recently as 2019 and 2021 for her roles in A Million Dollar Dream and My Guardian Angels, and launched The Zoe and Liang Show podcast in 2023 to mark her 35th year in the business. Yet it’s her most recent role in Emerald Hill - The Little Nyonya Story family saga that has further cemented her iconic status.

Tay notes that this role marks a departure for her, requiring her to age up to 72 years old and tap into the psyche of someone far less vivacious and active than the characters she has previously portrayed. Set between the '50s and '70s, Emerald Hill - The Little Nyonya Story sees Tay acting alongside a mix of veterans and fresh faces, from Jeanette Aw to Tyler Ten, as she takes on the role of the matriarch of the Peranakan Zhang family in Singapore.