 Competing in a singing competition overseas is challenging enough. Doing it in a language you're not fluent in? That's an entirely different level of pressure.
Which is why Singapore Idol alum Olinda Cho's latest achievement on Hong Kong reality singing competition Midlife, Sing & Shine! 4 is all the more impressive. It was recently announced that the 46-year-old singer has advanced to the Top 14 following her performance during the show's “Classic Love Songs Night” round. Her song of choice? Faye Wong's beloved 1992 Cantonese hit 'Easily Hurt Woman'. What viewers may not have realised, however, was that things almost went off track mid-performance. Olinda, who is not fluent in Cantonese, briefly forgot the lyrics while singing. Yet instead of panicking, she kept her composure, recovered smoothly and finished the song without derailing the performance, earning praise from viewers for her professionalism and poise. Speaking to reporters, Olinda admitted that even now, she's not entirely sure what caused the lapse. She suspects nerves may have played a role, though she also pointed to a possible technical issue. While performing with in-ear monitors, she suddenly found herself unable to hear the band's accompaniment as clearly as usual, causing her to momentarily lose her musical bearings and place in the song. According to Olinda, unexpected situations like these are simply part and parcel of performing. And while she was undoubtedly nervous, giving up never entered her mind. Instead, she focused on finding her footing again and seeing the performance through. She believes a singer should never be judged solely on a mistake, but rather on how they recover from it and complete the song. Preparing for 'Easily Hurt Woman' was no small task either. To improve her chances, Olinda spent an entire month in Hong Kong intensively rehearsing for the competition. She explained that the lengthy lyrics, combined with the challenge of mastering Cantonese pronunciation and understanding the song's emotional nuances, made the preparation process far tougher than she had anticipated. “At the beginning, I honestly had no idea how I was going to memorise all the lyrics. I wasn’t just learning the song itself, I was also learning the language, the pronunciation, and the emotional world behind the song.” This wasn't her first time tackling a Cantonese song on Midlife, Sing & Shine! 4, and judges have previously pointed out that she appears less at ease performing in Cantonese compared to other languages. Naturally, that raises the question: why not stick to Mandarin or English, languages she's far more comfortable with? According to Olinda, contestants don't actually have complete freedom when it comes to song selection. Instead, the competition operates on a ranking-based selection system, where participants take turns choosing songs according to their standings. By the time it's their turn, options can be limited. “When I entered the song-selection room, most of the remaining songs were Cantonese songs. Among those, 'Easily Hurt Woman' was one that I was already familiar with, so I had to make the most practical decision,” she explained. While English remains her strongest language and she is also comfortable with Mandarin and Hokkien, Cantonese continues to be unfamiliar territory. Still, rather than shy away from the challenge, Olinda intends to keep pushing herself. She has never considered Cantonese easy, nor does she believe she's mastered it. But for her, growth comes from stepping outside her comfort zone. She believes that the role of a singer — and a competitor — isn't to avoid obstacles, but to confront them head-on and keep improving with every performance. Eleanor Lee Pays Tribute To Co-Star After His Sudden Death At 33: "You Took Good Care Of Me"6/9/2026
 China-based Singaporean actress Eleanor Lee is mourning the loss of Chinese actor Jin Ze, who died unexpectedly on June 4 at the age of 33.
The shocking news was confirmed by Jin Ze's management company, Shengshi Guangnian Culture, on June 6. In a statement, the agency said the actor, known for rom-coms like Forget You Remember Love, Begin Again, and Legally Romance, had passed away at his home in Hangzhou and asked the public to respect his family’s privacy during this difficult time. No cause of death has been disclosed. Following the announcement, Eleanor, who starred alongside Jin Ze in Fake Princess (2020) and Give You My Heart (2024), took to social media to pay tribute to her friend and former co-star. Sharing a series of photos of them together, she wrote: “Honestly, I don’t have the words for this tribute. It was very sudden news to me, all I can say is you were a great friend and a great person. We had a lot of fun on set, and you took good care of me, we always said we’d meet again whenever we were in the same city, but after years and all the work that brought us apart. You were still a good friend that I kept in touch with. You will be missed, rest in peace my friend.” According to Chinese media reports, Jin Ze had returned to his residence after wrapping work on a drama set before he was later found dead. As news of his passing spread online, speculation about the cause of death quickly surfaced. Some netizens questioned whether the demanding schedules often associated with micro drama productions may have affected his health, with others pointing to his reportedly intense fitness and diet regimen. However, none of these claims have been substantiated. In its statement, Jin Ze's agency urged the public not to spread rumours or speculate about the circumstances surrounding his death, adding that his family is currently handling funeral arrangements. The 188cm-tall star started out as a model and even walked the runways of Milan Fashion Week. He made the switch to acting in 2017 and quickly found success in Chinese rom-coms, thanks to his striking looks and screen presence.  Imagine working hard to better yourself only for others to pull you down over something as inconsequential as this.
Recently, Taiwanese singer May Sun shared that she had successfully completed her studies in the Executive Master's Program in Communication Management at Shih Hsin University in Taipei. Not only did the 45-year-old Golden Melody Award winner graduate, but she also received the "Outstanding Performance Award" and represented the graduating class on stage to accept the honour. You'd think people would applaud such an impressive achievement, right? Wrong. When May shared her graduation photos, some netizens actually criticised her because she wore her mortarboard incorrectly. According to some netizens, it was too far back on her head and did not "conform to proper graduation attire etiquette". May even had to post a response to the backlash, admitting that it was her first time attending a Master's graduation ceremony and that she did not know the correct way to wear the mortarboard. “I thought that as long as the hat stayed on properly and looked good in photos, it would be fine,” she wrote. “I didn't pay attention to the relevant etiquette and regulations.” She then apologised and promised to be more mindful in the future. There were, however, others who felt those netizens were making a storm in a teacup. Veteran Taiwanese media personality Di Chih-wei came to May's defense, saying that some online critics were "really too idle". He argued that people were focusing excessively on how she wore her graduation cap while overlooking the years of hard work she put into balancing her career with graduate studies and completing her thesis. He added that graduating from an executive master's program is no easy feat, and that the public should pay more attention to her achievement of earning a master's degree rather than magnifying an insignificant "detail" such as the way she wore her cap.  Disclosure Day is Steven Spielberg‘s latest sci-fi creation, and its eerie trailer teases an incoming alien invasion. With an all-star main cast and an ensemble crew supporting them, the Amblin Entertainment and Universal Pictures production will hit theaters over the summer of 2026.
Per the movie’s official marketing campaign, Disclosure Day asks, “If you found out we weren’t alone, if someone showed you, proved it to you, would that frighten you?” The trailers hint at a world-changing revelation involving alien life, government secrecy and humanity’s reaction to finally learning the truth. While some details about the plot are still under wraps, recent footage and early reactions have pointed to a tense psychological sci-fi thriller in the spirit of Spielberg’s classic alien films. Disclosure Day will be released in theaters on June 12, 2026. Meet the main cast of Disclosure Day and everything we know so far about their roles below. Emily Blunt – Kansas City meteorologist Emily Blunt plays a Kansas City meteorologist who is seemingly overcome by the imminent alien invasion, as seen in the film’s official trailer. In addition to Disclosure Day, Emily is also starring in the highly anticipated Devil Wears Prada 2. Josh O’Connor Josh O’Connor is playing a whistleblower in the film, and he advocates for “full disclosure, to the whole world, all at once,” adding, “People have a right to know the truth,” as heard in the trailer. His exact character details have not been announced yet. The Wake Up Dead Man actor will also star in the upcoming film Jack of Spades. Colin Firth Colin Firth plays Noah Scanlon, the head of the mysterious Wardex corporation, which appears to be deeply tied to the film’s extraterrestrial conspiracy. In the trailers, Noah is shown strapped into a chair with wires attached to his head while reacting in horror to whatever “disclosure” he is witnessing. Apart from Disclosure Day, Colin is also starring in Cry to Heaven. Colman Domingo Colman Domingo plays Hugo Wakefield, a former Wardex insider who becomes an advocate for exposing the truth about extraterrestrial life. Though many details about his character are still being kept secret, trailers suggest Hugo could play a key role in helping Josh O’Connor’s whistleblower character uncover what the government and corporations have hidden for decades. He is also starring in the Michael Jackson biopic, Michael. Eve Hewson Eve Hewson plays Jane Blankenship, the girlfriend of Josh O’Connor’s character Daniel Kellner. While Jane’s exact role in the conspiracy remains unclear, recent trailers show her caught in the middle of the chaos as the truth about extraterrestrial life begins unraveling worldwide. She most recently appeared in Jay Kelly. Wyatt Russell Wyatt Russell’s character hasn’t been disclosed yet, but he is also appearing in Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Doomsday as John Walker.  The Emily in Paris cast has lost one of its own. Amid production on the Netflix series’ sixth and final season, French actor Pierre Deny died on May 25, 2026. He was 69.
Deny’s daughters announced his death in a statement shared to newswire AFP. They wrote, “It is with deep emotion that we announce the passing of Pierre Deny this Monday (May 25) following a sudden and severe case of ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis).” Here’s what we know about Deny, his ALS condition and untimely death. Who Was Pierre Deny? Deny was an accomplished theatrical actor who transitioned into mainstream television. He got his start in the 1980s in stage productions before booking steadier roles on TV. The late French star was known for his performances in Under the Sun, Une Femme d’Honneur, Cinq Soeurs, Plus Belle La Vie and Tomorrow Is Ours. Which Emily in Paris Character Did Pierre Deny Play? Deny played the character Louis de Leon, the CEO of the luxury fashion conglomerate JVMA, in Emily in Paris. He appeared on the show in 2022 and again in 2024. Series star Paul Forman paid tribute to Deny in an Instagram Stories message shortly after his death was announced. “Heartbroken to hear of the passing of Pierre Deny,” Forman wrote. “It was a privilege to work alongside him and to witness his warmth and talent up close. Thinking of his family and loved ones. Rest in peace.” How Did Pierre Deny Die? His Cause of Death As previously noted, Deny’s children announced he died following a “sudden and severe case of ALS.” What Is ALS? ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig Disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative illness that affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. According to the Mayo Clinic, the disease begins with muscle twitching, weakness in the arms or legs, trouble swallowing and/or having slurred speech. Since it is a progressive disease, symptoms worsen over time. There is no cure for ALS; it is fatal. Most recently, Euphoria star Eric Dane died of ALS. Faye Wong Spotted Blushing At Nicholas Tse’s Concert, Fans Say She Looked “Like A Girl In Love”6/9/2026
 If there was ever any doubt that Faye Wong is boyfriend Nicholas Tse's biggest fan, her latest public appearance should put those rumours to rest.
The Chinese pop diva made a rare appearance at Nic's Evolution concert at Beijing's National Stadium last week. Though she tried to keep a low profile in a simple white V-neck tee, jeans and a black mask, eagle-eyed concertgoers quickly spotted the 56-year-old star making her way into the venue. According to videos circulating online, Faye initially kept out of the spotlight and was even seen standing behind a friend. But once the concert got underway, she took her seat in the VIP box and appeared completely immersed in the show, clapping along to the music and smiling throughout the night. The sweetest moment came when Nic, 45, appeared to acknowledge her presence from the stage. During the concert, the singer reportedly looked towards the VIP boxes several times before waving in their direction and saying: “Hello, I can see you all.” The usually cool and composed Faye was then seen turning visibly shy. Videos captured her smiling bashfully, covering her mouth and even ducking behind her friend at one point, prompting netizens to gush that she looked “like a young girl in love”. As if that wasn't enough to get fans talking, some also claimed to have spotted a sparkling ring on Faye's left ring finger in videos taken from afar. Though the footage is blurry and far from conclusive, it was enough to send the rumour mill into overdrive, with some speculating that the famously private couple may have already tied the knot in secret. Neither Faye nor Nic has responded to the marriage rumours. The pair, who rekindled their romance in 2014 after more than a decade apart, have largely kept their relationship out of the spotlight. But judging by Faye's reaction at the concert, it seems they're still very much smitten with each other.  Several former Mediacorp artistes have rallied behind former actor-turned-hawker Huang Yiliang, whose crab beehoon stall, Old Fisherman, at Circuit Road Hawker Centre made headlines last month after he was allegedly assaulted during a dispute with a neighbouring chicken rice stall owner.
In a video posted on TikTok account Bing Bing Biang Biang, a live streaming platform co-founded by actress Cassandra See, the seven artistes are seen striding towards the camera in formation like they’re the Avengers assembling for one last mission. The clip then cuts to an all-smiles Yiliang, chest puffed out as he awaits his entourage. Set to Michael Jackson's ‘Billie Jean’, the clip is rather dramatic, complete with fist-pumping and slow-walking. The group included Cherie Lim, who is married to Singaporean billionaire Peter Lim, Amy Koh (the aforementioned fist-pumper), Celine Neo, Jason Oh, Cassandra, Joy Yak, who some of you might remember as Ji Ji of hosting duo Ji Ji and Zha Zha, and Apple Hong. Henry Thia was also present but had left before the clip was filmed. “We gathered our troops to support Brother Yiliang,” read the caption. Speaking to reporters, Cassandra said the group wanted to show support for Yiliang and "stand up for the truth" after seeing what they felt were misleading portrayals of him on social media. She cited an anecdote shared by Jason, who recalled that in the 1990s, Yiliang had offered him the keys to his Marine Parade home so he could shower and rest there after jogging at East Coast Park. Cassandra said the story illustrates Yiliang’s generous and trusting nature. She drew parallels to the recent controversy involving Yiliang’s female stall assistant, saying his offer to let her rest at his home was similarly motivated by convenience and kindness, but was later misconstrued by others. "That's just how Yiliang is. He's very loyal and brotherly and always willing to help people," said Cassandra. "We wanted to use our platform to let people see another side of him." She added that the group also hoped to drive more customers to Yiliang’s stall and remind the public that social media narratives do not always tell the full story. "He may have a bad temper and do crazy things sometimes, but he's actually a very caring person and very misunderstood," she said. Many netizens applauded the show of support and friendship. "That's what friends are for," wrote one commenter. Another simply said: "Powerful." Others praised the artistes for standing by Yiliang, with one netizen commenting: "Good and loyal friends stick together to support. Hope to see more of HYL's good friends from Mediacorp."  Those who follow Rebecca Lim on social media would know that the Mediacorp actress keeps things low-key when it comes to her two kids.
In fact, the face of her two-year-old son with her husband Matthew Webster has still not been revealed, with the 39-year-old actress making it a point to cover his face in every photo she posts since he was a month old. However, it seems things might be changing with their newborn daughter, nicknamed Baby M, whom they welcomed just last month. In a recent Instagram post, Matthew shared a series of photos featuring both of their children, with Baby M’s face fully visible in the first image. Baby M looked adorable in her yellow onesie and clearly has her mother’s big, round eyes and delicate, cute facial features. Their son, on the other hand, remained partially concealed in the photos. “Tired, grateful, and enjoying every moment of this new chapter,” Matthew wrote. Netizens were surprised by the unexpected reveal of the baby girl’s face, with many leaving comments praising how adorable she is. “Oh… features looking gorgeous. Beautiful babies,” one netizen gushed. Many also swooned over the siblings’ adorable bond, with one describing their son as “the sweetest korkor (big brother).” “Every bit of effort you’re putting in now is helping to build such a beautiful bond, and it will be so worth it in the end,” another netizen wrote.  It makes sense to want to try local delicacies while travelling, but sometimes it does pay to be a little cautious.
Recently, it was reported that Taiwanese host Li Jing had travelled to Xinjiang, China, where she unexpectedly developed a high fever. Her temperature was said to have soared to 39°C in the middle of the night, and she was rushed to the emergency room. On June 2, the 62-year-old host took to social media to recount what happened. "I believe in karma, I just didn't expect it to come so quickly," she quipped. She recalled that she had happily posed for photos while riding a white yak and taking in the beautiful lakes and scenery earlier that day. But that same evening, her tour group arranged a meal featuring Xinjiang-style yak hot pot — a signature culinary specialty of the Pamir Plateau region, which she found somewhat ironic and amusing. Although she felt a little conflicted about eating yak meat after spending time with one earlier that day, she adopted a "when in Rome" attitude and decided to try the local specialty anyway. What she did not expect was to develop a high fever that very same night. Li Jing jokingly wondered if she had been "cursed by the little white yak". However, she subsequently concluded that it was more likely the meat had not been fully cooked, as water boils at a lower temperature in high-altitude areas. The undercooked meat may have led to acute gastroenteritis. She added that a server had recommended cooking the meat for only 10 seconds for the best texture, and she suspects that may have contributed to her illness. After arriving at the hospital, she noticed that there were many other patients — whether coincidental or not — suffering from acute gastroenteritis in the emergency department as well. On top of that, as the day coincided with a Uyghur festival celebration, the hospital was operating with limited staff, and only one nurse was on duty handling numerous patients. The experience left Li Jing with a deep appreciation for the hard work and dedication of healthcare workers.  Primetime is drawing attention after the release of its first teaser trailer, which features Robert Pattinson portraying journalist Chris Hansen during the height of To Catch a Predator. The upcoming A24 film takes inspiration from the controversial NBC series that became a pop culture sensation in the 2000s. As anticipation builds around Pattinson’s latest transformation, many fans are wondering when Primetime will be released and whether the movie will eventually be available to stream.
Find out more below. Who Is Chris Hansen? Hansen is an investigative journalist and television host best known for NBC’s To Catch a Predator, the controversial mid-2000s hidden-camera series that confronted adults accused of attempting to meet minors for sex. The show originally aired as part of Dateline NBC between 2004 and 2007 and became a major pop culture phenomenon because of Hansen’s now-iconic confrontations. Even years after To Catch a Predator ended, Hansen has remained active in true-crime television and online investigations. He currently hosts Takedown with Chris Hansen, a streaming series focused on online predator stings, and recently released the 2026 special Dangerous Games: Investigating Roblox, which explored child safety concerns tied to gaming platforms. In Primetime, Pattinson portrays Hansen during the height of the show’s popularity as he attempts to “make television history,” according to the film’s official synopsis. When Does the Primetime Movie Come Out? Primetime is currently scheduled for a fall 2026 theatrical release through A24, though an exact premiere date has not been officially announced yet. Multiple reports have pointed to a September 2026 rollout. How Can I Watch Primetime? Right now, A24 plans to release Primetime exclusively in theaters first. The film is expected to play in major U.S. theater chains once it premieres later in 2026. Can I Stream the Primetime Movie? Not yet. Since Primetime has not been released, there is currently no confirmed streaming date or platform for the film. However, because A24 has existing output deals with HBO and Max for many of its releases, fans expect the movie could eventually stream on Max after its theatrical run, though that has not been officially confirmed. |