Is Blackpink’s Lisa becoming a property tycoon?
The 27-year-old ‘MONEY’ singer first made news in 2023 for dropping $7.5bil won (S$8mil) in cold hard cash on a fancy duplex in Seoul. This time, the Thai popstar has unveiled her latest acquisition – a US$4mill (S$5.3mil) mansion nestled in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles. According to global real estate market news, the lavish purchase was finalised last month with renovations completed by House of Rolison – the same people behind the design aesthetic of American singer Sabrina Carpenter’s Hollywood Hills home. Though Lisa has not officially shown off her new home yet, fans were quick to post pictures of what her new crib might look like. Originally constructed in 1924, the previous owners first bought the property at US$2.36mil (S$3.2mil) and decorated the mansion in a British country style, featuring stone flooring and wood ceilings. The gated compound also has a large wooden terrace with a pizza oven and of course, a pool. After news of Lisa’s latest purchase hit the news, netizens wasted no time in commenting their well wishes. In particular, Korean netizens also noted that the Blackpink superstar got her new home at a steal. “That house is cheaper than an apartment in Gangnam,” commented an online user while another said, “I am even more envious now because her [Lisa] new home is cheaper than I thought. According to news sources, apartments in the fancy Gangnam area of Seoul average about 2.2bil won (S$2.2mil). Considering Lisa showed off her home in Seoul last month, will the Blackpink singer also do a house tour for her Los Angeles estate?
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Mandopop diva Jolin Tsai was in China last month for a series of concerts, and it seems the 43-year-old was keeping busy in the day as well.
Jolin was recently in Guangzhou where she took the time to film an episode of Ugly Beauty Foodie in which she learned to prepare a soup dish with celebrity food blogger Jiasheng. With her hair tied in a bun and decked out in a two-piece sleeveless Valentino outfit, the singer took to a street market to search of ingredients. As Jolin and Jiasheng toured the stalls for meats and veggies, a street vendor shouted out after the Mandopop star and in a way… praised her for looks. “She is really beautiful”, she said before commenting, “But not photogenic.” That must be the most backhanded compliment one can receive. As the auntie was speaking Cantonese, Jolin didn’t react until Jiasheng translated what was said and it had her breaking out in laughter. “That is why it's better not to understand [a language],” laughed Jolin. Auntie, looking at Jolin’s pictures from her concerts, we beg to differ. Ask Jeremy Chan if he thought he would win Best Actor at the 2024 Star Awards, and his first reaction would be “No leh”.
Ask him again, and he would say he thought the winner would either be him or his All That Glitters co-star Desmond Tan. Ask him a third time and he would concede that he knew was the dark horse. “It was only later [when there was more talk that I could win], that I got nervous,” he tells 8days.sg backstage after the win. Why so modest, Jeremy? The 42-year-old was the odds-on favourite — it’s like betting on Michael Phelps to swim fastest — to bring home the trophy for his role as a simple-minded man who goes down a path of tragedy in All That Glitters. And he did so in surprisingly calm fashion. This is, after all, Jeremy’s first Star Award for acting and his second nomination in the category. The only other time he’s been lauded for his acting was at the Asian Academy Creative Awards in 2018 when he won Best Comedy Performance for My Agent is A Hero. Oh, he also took home his second Top 10 Most Popular Male Artiste award tonight. No surprises then that everyone expected a tearful, snot-filled speech from him. When Jeremy took the stage to accept the award from Hong Kong actress Charmaine Sheh, his colleagues in the audience, in particular Special Achievement Award winner Mark Lee, could be heard shouting “Cry!”… and later, um, “Strip!” He was dressed in an all-white Dolce & Gabbana suit that bared his tanned chest. He tells us he was about to burst into tears until he heard his wife Jesseca Liu yell “Don’t cry! Don’t cry!” from the front row. It was then that Jeremy, ever the dutiful husband, decided to swallow his tears and steady his “breaking voice” to deliver his speech. Why didn’t Jess want him to show emotion on stage? “She feels that for actors, we’re always faced with circumstances that are different. So if you cry all the time, there’s no point to it. You have to handle it calmly,” he says. Now that he has won Best Actor, does he think he can use it to lord over Jess who has yet to bring home a Star Award for acting? P/S: She did go home with an All-Time Favourite Award tonight though so draw? “No lah,” he laughs. “We have never been the kind to compare each other’s achievements. We teach other and guide each other. I think after getting married, she has been teaching me. Both of you cannot be the same shape. You have to be complete first before you can give the other person more things. [Jesseca] is [a] very complete [person] so when I’m with her, she fills up the parts that I lack. Like when it comes to winning awards. She keeps telling me to not think too much and to be calm.” While most people would relish their winning moment on stage, Zhang Zetong, the newly-minted Best Supporting Actor at Star Awards 2024, does not want to be reminded of it.
The 31-year-old was so overwhelmed by his win that he sobbed uncontrollably while making his acceptance speech. “Wah, I really don’t want to cry. I don’t know why I have so much [air]time [for this speech],” says Zetong in between sobs on stage. He beat Zhu Houren, Darren Lim, Peter Yu, Andie Chen to the trophy for his turn as the villainous Richard Mo in All That Glitters. In his post-win interview with reporters, Zetong says it’s “regretful” that he cried and would prefer not to rewatch the moment. “I was shocked ‘cos I was told I only had 30 to 45 seconds to make my speech, so I only prepared a few good liners to fill me in for 45 seconds. After I passed the one-minute mark, I was like, ‘Oh, this is way too long. How come they are not asking me to leave the stage?’,” he says. “I was scrambling to put words together, but nothing came to my mind ‘cos I couldn’t stop myself from crying.” Zetong was the biggest winner of the night, clinching all three awards that he was nominated for: MYPICK! Most Hated Villain, Most Popular Rising Star, and Best Supporting Actor. Despite high expectations of him as the hot favourite, Zetong wasn’t confident of taking home the Best Supporting Actor gong, which explains why he was especially emotional when he won. “I was up against a lot of heavyweights and veteran actors whom I respect a lot, so I didn’t have high hopes of winning… It’s so rare to land a good script and good character that truly resonated with me. I might not get it again, so I really wanted to represent my character well and hope to receive accolades for it,” he explains. Does he have anything to say to his fellow nominees? Zetong shares: “So sorry. Someone mentioned that our experience in the industry ranges from five to 39 years, and I’m the one with the least experience. But I feel winning this award is not just based on one person’s ability. A group of people contributed to my character, so I would like to thank the cast and crew of All That Glitters. They made Richard Mo the villainous character that he is. And I really hope to act alongside the other four nominees in the future.” Gaining weight for a role is a sacrifice many actors are willing to make and that's what Mediacorp actress Tay Ying has been up to for the past two months.
Earlier this week, the 28-year-old took to her Instagram to share how "after two months of bulking [up], drinking mass gainers and a significant increase in calorie intake", she successfully "gained 10kg and counting" for her role in upcoming drama The Blockbusters. "I have never tried gaining weight in such a timeline before and since I do have a higher metabolism, this was by far the toughest thing I’ve ever done for a role," said the actress who is the daughter of veteran stars Hong Huifang and Zheng Geping. The Blockbusters is about four plus-sized girls — played by Tay Ying, Kayly Loh, Xixi Lim and Malaysian actress Meeki Ng — and their journey to form a girl group. So something like 2021 Mediacorp drama Live Your Dreams but an upsized version? When reporters reached out to Tay Ying, she tells us she was initially "unsure if [she] could even reach the weight-gain requirement". She then engaged a trainer to help her put on the pounds as fast as possible. "I had four meals a day and took mass gainers, because besides gaining fat, I also had to gain muscles since that can make you look bulkier. So we did mainly weights training. I haven't done cardio in two months," she says. Tay Ying also says she is feeling the effects of the extra weight. "When we started training for the dance scenes [in the drama], I felt like my stamina decreased a bit," says the actress who has been dancing since she was 17. Does plumping up also mean she got to indulge in sinful, fatty food? Wrong. She and her trainer took the healthy route instead. "When it comes to gaining weight, it can be unhealthy if you eat junk. We increased the calories [I consume] which is the carbs and proteins, but it doesn't mean you have to eat a lot of fat, sweet and oily stuff," she explains. But at least she has her celebrity chef boyfriend Wu Sihan to make healthy and yummy food for her right? "I have to say after I got this role, he did up his game a bit and started feeding me. He always blames me for making him gain weight because I have to gain weight and he ended up gaining with me since we eat together a lot," she chuckles. Tay Ying says was totally game for the challenge when she first learnt about the role. "They were casting for girls who were willing to gain weight for this show, so I went into the audition knowing I had to gain weight," she reveals. "I've never done anything like that, and as an actress I want to try different kinds of genres and roles." Tay Ying also feels she has more flexibility to change her body since she's still in her 20s. But is she worried that she won't be able to shed the weight after the show is done? "To me, health is the most important, regardless of what size you are," she asserts. The actress is also someone who's very comfortable in her own skin. "If the people around me still love me despite my body changing, then why should I feel insecure?" she replies confidently. "And I'm doing this for a greater purpose! There's something that I'm working towards and I'd think that my loved ones are very supportive so I shouldn't worry too much," she gushes. That said, Tay Ying's really looking forward to start doing cardio again. "I do love cardio a lot, it helps me with my mental health. So I know when I'm done filming, cardio can help me lose weight too. It can also help me unwind and get back to being myself because right now, I'm not me. I'm the character," she tells us. Netizens, on the other hand, aren't thinking as positive as Tay Ying. When asked if she's had to deal with fat-shaming comments, the actress says: "We were not supposed to talk about [the drama] yet so there were people commenting that I've gained weight, or the nastier ones would be like: 'Oh you fat already'." Tay Ying's not letting those haters get to her at all. In fact, she's happy people are noticing her transformation. "It means I've succeeded. I mean like, I spent so much time and effort just to get bigger and if people can't see it then what's the point?" she says. "The fact that they can is a huge compliment," she says. Wu Kang Ren Praised For Being Down-To-Earth After He Was Seen Queueing Alone At HK Airport4/23/2024 Some people become really arrogant once they get famous, but that's not the case for Taiwanese actor Wu Kang Ren, who's one of the most acclaimed actors in Asia today.
Kang Ren, who's been in showbiz for 15 years, clinched his first Best Actor win at the Golden Horse Awards last year for his performance in heart-wrenching Malaysian film Abang Adik. He was nominated for Best Supporting Actor on Sunday's Hong Kong Film Awards for his performance in Fly Me to the Moon. The award went to veteran actor David Chiang, who starred in In Broad Daylight. Recently, the 41-year-old star was spotted queuing alone at the crowded Hong Kong airport. The down-to-earth Kang Ren, who famously has no manager, was dressed down and wore an army green cap. He was also seen using old-school wired earphones and carrying the same worn-out backpack that has been appearing on his social media for quite some time. The actor was also praised for being considerate for carrying his bag in front of him to avoid obstructing the person at the back. What's not to love about this man? Drake Bell and some of his fellow Nickelodeon alum spoke in support of their parents after some viewers called them out following the revelations in the Quiet on Set docu-series. Drake and All That stars Giovonnie Samuels and Bryan Hearne defended their parents from people who have raised questions about what their responsibilities are to a child performer during a panel discussion at a screening of the documentary in Los Angeles.
When speaking about people who have criticized parents, Drake explained that oftentimes parents are learning alongside their children. “We hear a lot ‘Where were their parents?'” he said. “Some of these were our first jobs. Some of these were our parents’ first time on a set, and they’re just learning along with us. So to say ‘Oh, the parents should have stepped in with this and that’ — no, there should be somebody who’s experienced that can see, oh you know what, this child seems uncomfortable, I’m gonna be able to take him or her with their parent and bring them over here.” The Amanda Show star continued and said that it can be difficult for child actors’ parents to step in with the same authority that someone with more experience would. “They’re just learning along with us and don’t have the experience on these movie sets to be able to push and pull their weight,” he said. Bryan and Giovonnie also agreed that there should be someone on set who is trained to deal with children and help if they feel uncomfortable. Giovonnie also highlighted work by the Looking Ahead program from the Entertainment Community Fund. “It needs to be somebody that’s not just production. You need a liaison between production and parent and child,” she said. The bombshell docu-series Quiet on Set brought a number of allegations of misconduct to light, including Drake revealing that he’d been sexually assaulted by a dialogue coach. The series has led to a few other former Nickelodeon stars coming forward to speak out and share their experiences. Following the documentary’s release, Nickelodeon released a statement. “Now that Drake Bell has disclosed his identity as the plaintiff in the 2004 case, we are dismayed and saddened to learn of the trauma he has endured, and we commend and support the strength required to come forward,” they said. The statement continued, “Though we cannot corroborate or negate allegations of behaviors from productions decades ago, Nickelodeon as a matter of policy investigates all formal complaints as part of our commitment to fostering a safe and professional workplace environment free of harassment or other kinds of inappropriate conduct. Our highest priorities are the well-being and best interests not just of our employees, casts and crew, but of all children, and we have adopted numerous safeguards over the years to help ensure we are living up to our own high standards and the expectations of our audience.” Hong Kong singer-actress Gigi Leung’s recent Somewhere In Time concert saw her taking the stage at the Taipei Arena for the first time in her 29-year career.
In the audience were the 48-year-old star’s close pals Charlie Young, Angelica Lee, Valen Hsu, and Vivian Hsu. Safe to say that the group attracted plenty of attention from concert-goers. Charlie, in particular, received plenty of compliments for looking super youthful at 49. Gigi’s husband, Sergio Crespo Gutes, and their nine-year-old daughter Sofia were also in the VIP section. She thanked the pair for their support before singing the track ‘Guan Yu Ai’ (关于爱), which featured Sofia’s voice. “Time passes so quickly. [Sofia] was just a baby, and now, she’s able to sing together with me,” said Gigi. She shared a few of Sofia’s favourite songs, which include ‘Dan Xiao Gui’ (胆小鬼), ‘Liking Him’, and ‘Shi Zong’ (失踪), and a number of her other upbeat tunes. “I’m thankful to my husband for helping me bear the responsibility of our housework while I rehearsed, so I could practise my singing without any worries,” she added. Besides showing her gratitude towards her loved ones, Gigi also thanked Singaporean musician Lee Si Song for penning the lyrics to ‘Dan Xiao Gui’, and for producing one of her classic tracks ‘Short Hair’ (短发). She dedicated this message to Si Song: “He has specially flown here today to support me. When I think of the days we spent together recording my songs, whether it was me visiting Singapore or you coming to Hong Kong, they were filled with plenty of joy and tears. I feel like you’ve given me some of the best songs, which in no way pale to those [you’ve written for] Stefanie Sun!” During the show, Gigi also dedicated a sweet message to the victims of the recent earthquake which devastated Hualien. She cheered on the rescue team that was still working on the disaster ground, bringing tears to the eyes of her audience. Jenna Dewan is stepping up in the fashion department for her latest red carpet appearance. The actress dressed to impress when she attended the 2024 Fashion Trust U.S. Awards in Beverly Hills, California.
Jenna, 43, cradled her growing baby bump when she posed in a black gown that featured cutout side panels, a plunging neckline and feather details on its base. She completed her look with a matching long-sleeve shrug and dangling diamond leaf earrings. As for her glam, Jenna turned heads as she debuted a shorter hairstyle made possible by celebrity hairstylist Ricky Mota. Just hours before the red carpet event, the Step Up actress teased a hair transformation via Instagram Stories when she shared a photo with several inches of cut hair on the floor. Jenna’s latest red carpet moment wasn’t a solo moment. During the night, The Rookie star posed for photos with fiancé Steve Kazee. He opted for an oversized brown suit with a white tank undershirt and a gold chain necklace. Fashion Trust U.S. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to discovering, funding and nurturing young design talent with the aim of helping them build their label into a thriving global brand. The event received plenty of support from a plethora of Hollywood talent including Jessica Biel, Kelsea Ballerini, Heidi Klum, Lucy Hale, Glen Powell and Zooey Deschanel. While Jenna and Steve, 48, were happy to support the cause, their evening out may be one of their last hurrahs before they welcome their second child. The couple — who are parents to 4-year-old son Callum — announced they were expanding their family in January. (Jenna is also mom to daughter, Everly, 10, with ex-husband Channing Tatum.) “Think if I make @stevekazee serenade me every night the baby will get his voice??” Jenna wrote via Instagram when announcing her pregnancy. Although a healthy pregnancy and delivery remains Jenna’s top priority, she also is preparing to plan her wedding with Steve. After four years of being engaged, the dancer is ready to finalize a celebration. “We’ve been engaged forever,” she said on The Jennifer Hudson Show in March. “We got engaged and then there were so many life things that happened. …All of a sudden there was [COVID-19] and [the] pandemic and home and then baby No. 3. So we kept pushing this day. But now we are really wanting to and really are setting the date and getting it going.” Mediacorp actor Benjamin Tan really, really wants a Star Award.
He bagged his first Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes trophy at Star Awards 2024, which was held at the The Theatre at Mediacorp tonight (Apr 21), the first win for the 31-year-old after being in the industry for close to six years. When reporters speaks to Ben, he first confesses that he wasn't confident "at all" about going on stage to receive the award from Taiwanese actor Chen Bolin and Ah Jie Zoe Tay. "We were never told how many votes we have and the competition was tough,” he shares. “Especially against people like Romeo Tan and Desmond Tan [both of whom, indeed, won Top 10 trophies as well]." Benjamin, who was the seventh name to be called, says he was losing hope by the time they’d reached the sixth winner. But as we continue chatting with him, we realize how much effort had gone into this triumph. While he is clearly thrilled about the victory, there are no immediate celebrations planned. "Go home toh, just sleep because the past few months have been torturous," he gasps. "Every day [my fan club and I] worry about whether there are enough votes, and I had to garner votes as well," he tells us, adding that he intends to spend time with his fan club to "repay them for everything they did" after today. Turns out the actor has himself to thank for the award too. When asked if he'd voted for himself, he proudly declares: "Of course I did! Like [American drag queen] RuPaul said: 'If you don't love yourself, how can you love someone else?' So you have to love yourself first." How much did he, er, love himself? "I got 10 accounts only lah," he laughs. "10 accounts so that's 100 [votes] only ah! I had to [do that for myself]," admits Benjamin with refreshing candour, referring to the rule that each e-mail account was only allowed a maximum of 10 votes a day. Voting constitutes 80 per cent of the final result, while a nationwide Popularity Survey conducted by a market research company makes up 20 per cent. Benjamin plans to take his trophy along with him when he next pays respects to his late mum, who passed away in 2022 after being in a coma for two years. "I don't know if it's a bit showy to do so, but I'll definitely take it to her niche and present it to her," he says. He adds: "I think the first one is always special so I hope she can see the hard work I've put in and continue to look after me." The actor also reckons his new Chinese name might have contributed to his win as well. If the name ‘Chen Feng Yan’ sounded alien when it was announced, it’s because the actor had changed it from Chen Zheng Xu this January for fengshui reasons. The name is so unfamiliar to many that even Ben himself isn’t entirely used to it. "I was joking before that: 'What if they call my name and I forget that's my new name?’” |