 Martial arts and gaming fans are ecstatic over the live-action adaptation of Street Fighter. Coming to theaters in October 2026, the upcoming movie stars some of Hollywood’s best, including Noah Centineo, Jason Momoa and the one and only 50 Cent, credited under his real name, Curtis Jackson.
Street Fighter‘s official logline reads, “Set in 1993, estranged Street Fighters Ryu (Andrew Koji) and Ken Masters (Centineo) are thrown back into combat when the mysterious Chun-Li (Callina Liang) recruits them for the next World Warrior Tournament: a brutal clash of fists, fate, and fury. But behind this battle royale lies a deadly conspiracy that forces them to face off against each other and the demons of their past. And if they don’t, it’s GAME OVER!” Get to know the whole cast of Street Fighter here. Andrew Koji — Ryu Andrew is best known for his roles in Warrior, Snake Eyes, Bullet Train and, his most recent, Gangs of London. He plays one of the fighters, Ryu, in Street Fighter. Noah Centineo — Ken Masters Noah is playing Ken Masters, one of the two leads in the 2026 film. He’s been in the spotlight for quite some time, first gaining recognition for his Disney Channel and Nickelodeon roles. From Austin & Ally to his breakout role in The Fosters, Noah has made a name for himself. Later, he gained wider popularity for starring in the To All the Boys franchise, Sierra Burgess Is a Loser, The Perfect Date, Black Adam and the spy series The Recruit. Callina Liang — Chun-Li Callina spent her teen years as a TikTok creator, and she’s made quite the jump from social media star to actress! Callina is best known for her performance in the TV series Tell Me Everything. Joe “Roman Reigns” Anoa’i — Akuma Sports fans may know Joe best for his ring name, “Roman Reigns.” The pro wrestler is no stranger to the fighting world, but he’s established himself as an actor in recent years. Joe has appeared in a slew of films and TV series, including Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, Rumble, The Pickup, Zootopia 2 and Cousins for Life. David Dastmalchian — M. Bison David has risen to widespread acclaim thanks to his years of dedication to film. Among his most notable roles were in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and DC Comics-inspired projects, including The Dark Knight, The Suicide Squad, Gotham and The Flash. He also appeared in Oppenheimer, Dune, Dexter: Resurrection, Late Night With the Devil and The Creep Tapes. Cody Rhodes — Guile Cody is bringing his wrestling experience to the movie! Playing Guile in the film, Cody is known for his WWE career. Over the past several years, however, the pro fighter has landed a few acting roles, including in The Naked Gun, Warehouse 13 and Arrow. Andrew Schulz — Dan Hibiki Andrew might bring a bit of his comedy flair to Street Fighter. The stand-up comedian and podcaster built a following thanks to Guy Code and its spinoffs, in addition to the “Flagrant” and “The Brilliant Idiots” podcasts. Curtis Jackson, a.k.a. 50 Cent — Balrog 50 Cent is playing Balrog in the film. The “In da Club” hitmaker is best known for his rap career, but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t tried his hand at acting. In fact, 50 Cent has a lengthy portfolio of on-screen roles, including in the movies Dead Man Running, Caught in the Crossfire, Setup, Last Vegas and Southpaw. Jason Momoa — Blanka Fans, of course, know Jason for several movies, including in the DCEU. Jason starred in the two Aquaman movies, Dune, Fast X and A Minecraft Movie.  The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is the newest chapter in the blockbuster franchise — but it doesn’t follow Katniss Everdeen’s story. Instead, the film travels back in time to explore one of the most legendary events in Panem’s history: the 50th Hunger Games, better known as the Second Quarter Quell, where a young Haymitch Abernathy first became a victor.
With returning director Francis Lawrence and a new cast — and original stars Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson — stepping into the world of Panem, fans have been wondering exactly where the film fits in the series’ timeline and how it connects to the original movies. Below, learn whether Sunrise on the Reaping is a prequel, when it takes place, and how it expands the Hunger Games universe. When Does ‘Sunrise on the Reaping’ Take Place? The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping takes place 24 years before the original Hunger Games story, long before Katniss Everdeen volunteers as tribute. The film is set during the 50th Hunger Games — also known as the Second Quarter Quell — which takes place in Panem’s earlier timeline, decades before the rise of the rebellion. Is ‘Sunrise on the Reaping’ a Prequel? Yes. Sunrise on the Reaping is a direct prequel to the original Hunger Games trilogy. It focuses on a young Haymitch Abernathy, who would later mentor Katniss and Peeta, and shows how he became a victor. The movie explores his backstory and the brutal Games that shaped him. What Is ‘Sunrise on the Reaping’ About? The film centers on the Second Quarter Quell, a special edition of the Hunger Games where the Capitol forces double the tributes, sending 48 contestants into the arena instead of the usual 24. It follows young Haymitch as he navigates a deadlier, more elaborate arena and the political manipulation behind the Games. The story reveals the trauma and mistrust that later define him in the original series. When Does ‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ Take Place? The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes takes place 64 years before Katniss’ story, during the 10th Hunger Games. It follows a young Coriolanus Snow long before he becomes president of Panem, tracing the early days of the Games and the events that shape his ruthless rise to power.  Local singer Nathan Hartono, 34, is engaged and the singer took to Instagram to share the happy news.
"We interrupt your regularly scheduled doomscrolling for a special announcement: WE’RE (FINALLY) ENGAGED WAHOOO. Also I guess this is a hard launch as well lol," he wrote, referring to his relationship with now-fiancée, Elizabeth Sergeant Tan, a local theatre performer. "I never knew what to envision when I imagined my proposal. But supermarket sushi under the stars with our two cats was as perfect as it could’ve been," he added, while sharing a super adorable video of the special moment. In the proposal snippet he posted, Nathan has a casual picnic set up outdoors at night, and is seen clutching the ring, visibly nervous yet earnest as he waits for his girlfriend to approach, with their beloved cat by his side to witness the special moment. Upon seeing the set up, Elizabeth burst into laughter and fell to her knees, unable to hide her surprise — her adorable reaction becoming a highlight of the proposal. Nathan then popped the question, and the couple embraced before sharing a kiss, making for a simple, yet heartwarming scene. Nathan and Elizabeth have since received an outpouring of love and well wishes on the post, with local celebs like Jean Danker, Chantalle Ng, Zoe Tay, and JJ Neo penning congratulatory messages.  Mandopop fans of the noughties never thought this day would come.
Mandopop King Jay Chou surprised everyone with one of the most iconic collabs ever: A single featuring not just himself, but also superstars Jerry Yan, Vic Chou, Vanness Wu — now known as F3 — and Mayday’s Ashin. The 46-year-old dropped the bombshell on everyone when he suddenly shared on Instagram a photo of the five of them with their new song, 'Forever Forever', as the background music. The last F4 member, Ken Chu, is, however, missing from the collab. He later claimed this was because he rejected the organisers’ undisclosed demands, which prompted them to “cut off all contact” with him. "Who grew up listening to whose music?" the Mandopop king asked in his caption. That same night, Mayday's agency B'in Music dropped the music video for the single, naturally sending fans into a frenzy. We mean, five of the biggest stars of the 2000s in one video, that’s pretty much a dream come true. Some people, however, found something else in the MV to poke fun at. In his solo scenes, Jay was seen strutting down a street in what seems to be a European country, and that immediately tickled fans’ funny bones. They noted that this is something he’s done in many music videos. He was walking in 'Love Confession', walking in 'Let's Go', 'Six Degrees', 'Big Ben' and still walking in ‘You Are The Firework I Missed'. “Jay Chou is still overseas and continuing to walk," a fan teased. Another asked: “Why is Jay in someone else’s new MV and still walking?” Others quipped that the MV’s visuals could easily pass off as another one of Jay's songs if you watched it on mute, while a netizen joked: “He’s been walking from 36 to 46 years old but only took five whole steps.” Not that Jay's offended though. In response, the Mandopop King posted clips on his Instagram Stories earlier this week, showing himself walking in three different music videos. He then clapped back with a simple line: “That’s right, I’ll just keep walking".  When the movie remake of beloved ‘90s Hong Kong drama My Date With A Vampire was announced in 2022, fans rejoiced.
After all, the original 1998 series, which revolves around the romance between vampire Kuang Tian You and ghostbuster Ma Xiao Ling, played by Eric Wan and Joey Meng respectively, wasn’t just a hit. It was iconic, spawning two more seasons and cementing Joey (and her 42-inch-long gams) as a pop-culture legend. So when word got out that Joey, now 55, would be making a comeback cameo, expectations shot through the roof. Directed, produced, and written by the original creator and also Joey’s husband, Chan Sap Sam, the new film, 驱魔龙族马小玲 (also titled My Date with a Vampire), stars Karena Ng as Ma Xiaoling, Bosco Wong, Jacky Cai, and Ray Lui. It was meant to hit the big screen in 2023, but only dropped on Chinese streaming platforms on December 11 this year. And let’s just say fans wish it hadn’t. Despite the hype, the movie has been hit with a wave of negative reviews. The biggest grievance? Joey’s much-talked-about cameo (she plays Ma Xiaoling’s grandaunt) turned out to be a blink-and-you-miss-it three seconds — and she doesn’t even show her face, just her eyes. One furious fan wrote: “It’s a complete scam. The screen time Joey had in the trailer is exactly the same as in the movie — and she only shows her eyes!” Another viewer described the emotional rollercoaster: “I kept watching, hoping she’d appear. As the story went on, something felt off, so I started fast-forwarding… and in the end she only had three seconds of footage!” Fans were understandably upset. There were comments like “Isn’t this cheating all of us old fans?” and “They ruined my childhood.” Karena’s version of Ma Xiaoling came under heavy fire too. Aside from endless comparisons with Joey’s legendary legs, the biggest talking point was her extra-long safety shorts, which somehow kept getting their own close-ups. One unimpressed viewer wrote: “All of Ma Xiaoling’s strengths are entirely conveyed through verbal descriptions, and are not reflected at all in the movie. Instead, her stubbornness, greedy, and vain side are highlight. She couldn’t even use the ‘Nine-Character Mantra’ or summon ‘Heavenly Thunder’ at the start. Where did the Ma Xiaoling I knew — the strong, capable, gifted, cold-on-the-outside but warm-on-the-inside heroine — go?” Many also criticised the film for being a “lazy reboot” and “total flop”, retitling it My Misunderstanding With A Vampire. One angry comment read: “They should’ve just renamed the whole film and treated it as something completely separate. I was so angry after watching it. Director and writer, give me back my childhood memories!” Another remarked: “I feel like I wasted 1 hour, 29 minutes, and 39 seconds of my life.”  Mediacorp artiste JJ Neo has always loved dogs. But the daughter of former Ch 8 Lucy Chow never had the chance to own one.
“[My mum] is very, very OCD, and doesn’t want the house to be dirty,” says the 30-year-old actress and singer-songwriter, who made up for it by volunteering with shelters instead, even when she was staying in Taiwan for a couple of years. All that changed when JJ first started dating her husband, Mitch, 36, who had two adopted dogs — Ninja, a 10-year-old brown Singapore Special, and Sammy, eight, who's also a Singapore Special. “Ninja is like the best dog ever. He's super obedient, so easy to train. I think he's actually very different from the usual Singapore Specials that you would expect, who are usually very skittish,” says JJ, who penned Covid-19 song 'The Light'. We were then surprised to hear from her that Ninja had been rejected by three families during the trial period. How most shelters work in Singapore is that there is a home stay period to see if the dog is suitable for the family. “I think because a lot of people have that impression that when you adopt a dog, they come as they are, and they don't understand that it's like a child, right? You must teach them not to do certain things, what to do,” JJ explained. However, it is Sammy, who is closest to JJ. In fact, Mitch got a little jealous initially. When JJ first met Sammy, he started following her around like her shadow. Since then, it is the two dogs that have taught JJ valuable life lessons. “Happiness is not that hard sometimes and I feel like they've really, really taught me that,” JJ says. “They also remind us to look beyond the bumps and the challenges, and in spite of those bumps and challenges that we have to overcome, you know, there's still so much to look forward to.” It was precisely this that was the inspiration behind her design for ‘Paws For Cause’, non-profit organisation SOSD Singapore's charity art initiative, which sees local creators and celebrities painting dog figurines to be auctioned off. “I [painted] a bunch of planets, and a bunch of things embody the meaning of life,” JJ says. The statues will be auctioned online with 100 per cent of the proceeds supporting SOSD Singapore's rescue dog training programme and shelter operations. The artwork will be showcased at café Chye Seng Huat Hardware (CSHH) until December 24, 2025. For JJ, things are about to get more exciting in her household with a new addition to the family. Not a furkid, this time, though. JJ is about six months pregnant at the time of this interview and tells reporters that she now feels that her family is complete. “It is a bit of a skewed perspective, but I feel no family is complete without a family dog. And with the baby coming, it is like completing a puzzle,” she says. And the furkids seem to know something is up. Well, at least one of them does. While Sammy seems oblivious for now, Ninja has started becoming like her personal bodyguard, following here everywhere she goes, even to the bathroom, which has never happened before. “Just last night, I tried to put his head against my tummy, and it seems like he felt it. He kind of sat up, as if he was being cautious," says JJ.  The Avengers have assembled! Avengers: Doomsday has its full cast, and Marvel fans are dying to see the film come to life on the big screen on December 18, 2026, since its release date was pushed back. The hype really kicked off when Robert Downey Jr. unmasked himself to be playing Doctor Doom at the 2024 San Diego Comic Con, but the Iron Man actor isn’t the only major star in the cast. Several MCU veterans and newcomers will accompany Robert on screen.
Sebastian Stan (Bucky Barnes) Sebastian is reprising his role as the Winter Solider in Doomsday. He’ll also appear in Thunderbolts, which hits theaters on May 2, 2025. Vanessa Kirby (Susan Storm) Vanessa will also appear as Susan Storm, a.k.a the Invisible Woman, in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Chris Hemsworth (Thor) Marvel fans have seen Chris play Thor in a slew of films. The last time moviegoers saw the superhero was in Thor: Love and Thunder opposite Natalie Portman, who played Jane Foster, a.k.a the Mighty Thor. Tenoch Huerta Mejía (Namor) Tenoch was first seen in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, and he’ll reprise his role as Namor in Doomsday. Anthony Mackie (Captain America) Anthony most recently appeared as Sam Wilson in Captain America: Brave New World, and he’s set to reprise the role in Doomsday. Paul Rudd (Ant-Man) Paul’s Ant Man is set to return to the big screen in Doomsday. Fans last saw him in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Letitia Wright (Black Panther) Letitia’s Shuri first stepped into her role as the new Black Panther after Chadwick Boseman died from colon cancer in Wakanda Forever. She will reprise her role in Doomsday. Simu Liu (Shang-Chi) Fans last saw Simu in his introductory Marvel film, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Ebon Moss-Bachrach (The Thing) Ebon, famous for his performance in The Bear, is a newcomer to Marvel and is a part of The Fantastic Four. Before fans see him play The Thing in Doomsday, he will be introduced in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Robert Downey Jr. (Doctor Doom) Though Tony Stark won’t be resurrected, Robert will step into the villainous role of Doctor Doom. Florence Pugh (Yelena Belova) Florence’s Yelena has made quite an impression in the MCU! Fans last saw her in the Hawkeye series, and they’ll see her again in Thunderbolts before Doomsday. Alan Cumming (Nightcrawler) As X-Men fans recall, they last saw Alan as the Nightcrawler in X2. and he’ll be reprising the role in the MCU’s Doomsday. Kelsey Grammar (Beast) Another one of the X-Men stars, Kelsey, will reprise his role as the Beast in Doomsday. Joseph Quinn (Johnny Storm) Joseph’s Johnny Storm will be introduced in The Fantastic Four: First Steps before we see him return in Doomsday. Lewis Pullman (Sentry) Lewis will first be introduced as Sentry in 2025’s Thunderbolts before fans see him return in Doomsday. Danny Ramirez (Joaquín Torres /Falcon) Fans should recognize Danny’s Falcon character from Captain America: Brave New World. David Harbour (Red Guardian) David will step in the shoes of the Red Guardian in 2025’s Thunderbolts before he returns in Doomsday. Winston Duke (M’Baku) Winston’s M’Baku was last seen in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, and he’ll return in Doomsday. Hannah John-Kamen (Ghost) Hannah’s Ghost will first be seen in Thunderbolts. Tom Hiddleston (Loki) Fans can’t wait for Loki’s highly anticipated return in Doomsday. Patrick Stewart (Charles Xavier /Professor X) Patrick’s Professor X was last seen in the X-Men franchise, and he’ll return in Doomsday. Ian McKellen (Magneto) Ian’s X-Men character, Magneto, will return for Doomsday. Why Jeanette Aw Cried During a Surprise Hong Kong Meet-Up With the Man Who Launched Her Career12/16/2025
 When Jeanette Aw, 46, vacationed in Hong Kong in October, she had no idea a series of surprises were waiting for her.
What began as a solo trip quickly took a turn when she was “ambushed” by her manager and the production team behind her YouTube channel, JA Unscripted. But the second and biggest surprise came in the form of a mystery guest: veteran media professional Man Shu Sum, a figure Jeanette holds close to her heart. The moment she saw him, she burst into happy tears. Known affectionately as Mr Man, Man Shu Sum’s storied career began in Hong Kong, where he worked in broadcast stations and newspapers before moving to Singapore in 1982. Over the next three decades, he played an instrumental role in shaping the local media landscape, holding senior positions at Mediacorp and its predecessor organisations, where he helped develop generations of television talent and content. Today, he continues to command respect in the industry. He serves as Associate Director of the Academy of Film at Hong Kong Baptist University’s School of Communication and has been a chief judge for the Asia Television Awards. Renowned for discovering and nurturing young talent, Man Shu Sum was the one who signed Jeanette after she won the 2000 talent competition Route to Glamour, effectively launching her showbiz career. He left Singapore 11 years ago, and he and Jeanette had not met in over a decade. Still, she speaks of him with deep fondness and gratitude. “When I was filming my first short film, I called him,” she shared. “He was teaching media and production in Hong Kong then, and he shared so much of his experience with me. I asked which film festivals I should submit my short film to, and he gave me advice.” Seeing Jeanette's growth from actress to director, and now, to creator of her own online channel fills Man Shu Sum with pride. "I feel she has gone beyond the capabilities of a typical artiste. She's reached a stage where she can forge her own path, create her own channel, and think beyond the boundaries of what an artiste usually does," he said. He added: "Artistes are typically more passive, but [Jeanette] is proactive and insightful. That's a wonderful thing. I'm very happy to see her transformation, and [I know that] she will only continue to grow from here."  The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, directed by franchise veteran Francis Lawrence, is gearing up for its highly anticipated release next year — marking the series’ return to the big screen for the first time since The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes.
Although it’s the newest installment, the film takes audiences back decades before Katniss Everdeen (played by Jennifer Lawrence) stepped forward as tribute. This prequel dives into the origins of Haymitch Abernathy — portrayed by Woody Harrelson in the original films — and the brutal events of the 50th Hunger Games, better known as the Second Quarter Quell. “Haymitch has always been a fan favorite, and his origin story is one of the most anticipated in the franchise,”co-president of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Erin Westerman said in a press release. “We can’t wait for fans to experience the story that shaped one of the most compelling characters in the series.” Led by Joseph Zada as young Haymitch, the prequel introduces a fresh cast of rising stars and familiar faces stepping into the world of Panem. Among those familiar faces will be Jennifer and Josh, who will reprise their roles as Katniss and Peeta, respectively, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Here’s who is starring in this long-awaited return to the arena. Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen Though her appearance might be brief, it’s still a huge moment for the original heroine of the franchise. Per The Hollywood Reporter, the actress is reprising her role as Katniss in a “flash-forward scene.” The scene in question likely refers to the epilogue of the book when Haymitch bonds with Katniss and Peeta as they grow up. Josh Hutcherson Per THR, Josh is reprising his original role as Peeta in the “flash-forward scene.” The I Love LA actor kept any details of his return a secret while he was hard at work promoting his other projects. Joseph Zada as Haymitch Abernathy Zada, a 20-year-old Australian actor, takes on the role of young Haymitch Abernathy, the sole male tribute from District 12 in the 50th Hunger Games. Zada has previously appeared in Australian productions such as Invisible Boys and Total Control. He’s also set to appear in the upcoming series We Were Liars and East of Eden, starring alongside Florence Pugh. Casting a younger version of such a well-established character was no small task. In a March 2025 interview with Variety, producer Nina Jacobson acknowledged the difficulty of finding someone who could embody the essence of Haymitch without mimicking Harrelson’s original portrayal. “Nobody can be Woody Harrelson but Woody Harrelson,” she said. “You don’t want somebody who’s impersonating Woody, but you want somebody who very credibly feels like they could be a young version of this character, before the trauma and grief and rage that the fallout of the Games create.” Whitney Peak as Lenore Dove Baird Whitney Peak, 22, portrays Lenore Dove Baird, Haymitch’s girlfriend and a member of the Covey, a musical group from District 12. Peak is known for her roles in the Gossip Girl reboot and Hocus Pocus 2. Mckenna Grace as Maysilee Donner Mckenna Grace plays Maysilee Donner, another tribute from District 12 and a temporary ally of Haymitch during the Games. At just 19, Grace is already a seasoned film and television actor, with standout roles in Ghostbusters: Afterlife, The Handmaid’s Tale, and Young Sheldon. Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee Jesse Plemons plays Plutarch Heavensbee, a rising figure in the Capitol who becomes crucial to the future of Panem. The 37-year-old actor is known for his acclaimed performances in The Power of the Dog, Breaking Bad, and Fargo. “Jesse is one of the most talented actors of his generation, with a proven record of picking his roles selectively,” Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Co-President Westerman said in a statement. “We are honored that he has chosen to bring his own take to one of the most fascinating figures in Panem, and feel that his previous collaboration with Philip Seymour Hoffman makes it all the more special. His Plutarch will be both a tribute to the character fans have already come to know and a portrayal he makes his own. We can’t wait for audiences to see it.” Elle Fanning as Effie Trinket Ellen Fanning will be playing the younger version of Effie Trinket, the iconic character from the original franchise who lived with the term, “May the Odds Be Ever in Your Favor.” Elle has appeared in a slew of projects, some of which include A Complete Unknown, The Girl From Plainville and Maleficent. Kieran Culkin as Caesar Flickerman First played by Stanley Tucci, Caesar Flickerman will now be 24 years younger than when we first met him in The Hunger Games. The buoyant and charismatic show host is known for his on-screen charm as he welcomes tributes onto the stage before they fight to the death. In Sunrise, Caesar will be played by Kieran Culkin. Kieran has been seen in a variety of roles but has recently earned more accolades for his work. Some of his most notable performances are in Succession and in A Real Pain, for which he won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. Billy Porter as Lucretius “Lucky” Flickerman Before Caesar Flickerman became the face of Capitol pageantry, there was Lucretius “Lucky” Flickerman—his flamboyant and trailblazing predecessor. In Sunrise on the Reaping, Lucky is the Capitol’s original Hunger Games host, introducing audiences to the twisted spectacle for the first time. Lucky Flickerman will be portrayed by Billy Porter, whose commanding stage presence and sharp delivery make him a natural fit for the Capitol spotlight. Porter is best known for his Emmy-winning role in Pose, as well as his groundbreaking appearances on Broadway and red carpets. Glenn Close as Casca Highbottom Casca Highbottom, the dean of the Academy, is the somber intellectual credited with creating the Hunger Games—though not by choice. In Sunrise on the Reaping, she is portrayed later in life as the Games approach their 50th anniversary. Veteran actress Glenn Close takes on the role of Casca Highbottom. A seven-time Oscar nominee, Close is revered for her powerful performances in films like Fatal Attraction, The Wife, and Hillbilly Elegy. Taufik Batisah & Wife's Newly Renovated 3-Storey Terrace House Inspired By Their Love For Bali12/16/2025
 It has been a year since local singer Taufik Batisah and his wife, Sheena Akbal, purchased their home, and they are finally ready to give a home tour.
In a video posted to Facebook, the couple shared a tour of the landed property, where Taufik and Sheena live with their mother and three cats. The open concept living, dining and kitchen area on the first level is a bright, airy calming space, reminscent of a a holiday beach house. And rightly so. “We love to go to Bali, and we like the vibe in Bali. A lot of wood, neutral colours, so we wanted to bring it back home,” said the 43-year-old OG Singapore Idol winner. While he didn't reveal renovation costs, he did let in that the project was handled by Ivory Cove, an interior design firm he started with his brother sometime this year. “We feel it’s really important when you come back [home], it feels like a sanctuary, and it feels like you can just rest. Just ease into it,” he muses. For the living area, Taufik and Sheena say simplicity was key, while wanting to bring the feel of outdoors in. One decorative feature they love is the TV feature wall, made from actual stone tiles, he reveals. The living area features a large five-seater curved sofa paired with a stacked wooden log coffee table, both of which were from furniture company, Bless Brothers, who were tagged in Taufik's joint post on Instagram. They chose upholstery for the sofa, dining chairs and bar stools that's scratch resistant and easy to clean, so it's perfect for their cats and even nieces and nephews when they come visit, Taufik shares. The couple also introduced their kitchen and dining area, which has same aesthetic. The kitchen island, fitted with matching white cushioned barstools, doubles as a serving area for guests and Sheena’s workspace. It is also where the couple’s three cats take their afternoon nap. The opposite is a long oak wood dining table with matching white cushioned chairs. Outside, the patio houses a dark wooden outdoor table with a long bench, along with a barbecue grill, and a bicycle. The barbecue grill, a gift from friends, has never been used, though Taufik admits he will soon. The bicycle belongs to Sheena, though the latter admits he uses it more often. The house tour then heads back to the living area, where there is an arched walkway that hides a flight of stairs that appears to lead to the upper floors. Taufik brings the camera to the open space beside the walkway, where he mentions that he is considering having a piano placed there. Man has got to have his music, right? He also revealed that the upper floors are still a work-in-progress, and will reveal it in a second video once it’s completed. Taufik previously stayed in a HDB maisonette at 910 Jurong West Street 91, his first home that he bought with his savings. He revealed in an Instagram post then that he bought the house with his savings and lived there with just his mother before Sheena moved when they got married. A quick check on HDB’s website on resale flat prices then shows that a maisonette in his former block sold for $620,000. |