The first six finalists: Herman Keh, Chang Hiocheng, Zane Lim, Vanessa Ho, Juin Teh, and Jernelle Oh 07 Oct 2019
The first six finalists: Herman Keh, Chang Hiocheng, Zane Lim, Vanessa Ho, Juin Teh, and Jernelle Oh
The Top 23 backstage before the show 07 Oct 2019
The Top 23 backstage before the show
The Top 23 on stage 07 Oct 2019
The Top 23 on stage
Chang Hiocheng, Gail Borjiet, Herman Keh, and Joel Low presenting their dance item 07 Oct 2019
Chang Hiocheng, Gail Borjiet, Herman Keh, and Joel Low presenting their dance item
Juin Teh, Jared Soh, Chin Yiyang, and Jernelle Oh presenting their dance item 07 Oct 2019
Juin Teh, Jared Soh, Chin Yiyang, and Jernelle Oh presenting their dance item
Natasha Chandra, Zane Lim, and Vanessa Ho presenting their dance item 07 Oct 2019
Natasha Chandra, Zane Lim, and Vanessa Ho presenting their dance item
Joel Low, Chang Hiocheng, Gail Borjiet, and Herman Keh before their dance performance 07 Oct 2019
Joel Low, Chang Hiocheng, Gail Borjiet, and Herman Keh before their dance performance
Juin Teh, Jared Soh, Chin Yiyang, and Jernelle Oh after their dance performance 07 Oct 2019
Juin Teh, Jared Soh, Chin Yiyang, and Jernelle Oh after their dance performance
Natasha Chandra, Zane Lim, and Vanessa Ho after their dance performance 07 Oct 2019
Natasha Chandra, Zane Lim, and Vanessa Ho after their dance performance
The contestants show off their improvisation skills 07 Oct 2019
The contestants show off their improvisation skills
The contestants show off their improvisation skills 07 Oct 2019
The contestants show off their improvisation skills
Hosts Guo Liang and Kym Ng introduce the first six finalists 07 Oct 2019
Hosts Guo Liang and Kym Ng introduce the first six finalists
Mentor Christopher Lee and his team 07 Oct 2019
Mentor Christopher Lee and his team
Chen Hanwei and his team 07 Oct 2019
Chen Hanwei and his team
Hugs of congrats for the winners, and of comfort for those who didn't make it 07 Oct 2019
Hugs of congrats for the winners, and of comfort for those who didn't make it
Host Guo Liang with Herman Keh, Natasha Chandra, and Jared Soh on stage 07 Oct 2019
Host Guo Liang with Herman Keh, Natasha Chandra, and Jared Soh on stage
The Top 23 performing a dance item before the show 07 Oct 2019
The Top 23 performing a dance item before the show
Judges Man Shu Sum, Bowie Lam, and Phoebe Huang 07 Oct 2019
Judges Man Shu Sum, Bowie Lam, and Phoebe Huang
Celeb mentors Chen Hanwei, Huang Biren, and Christopher Lee 07 Oct 2019
Celeb mentors Chen Hanwei, Huang Biren, and Christopher Lee
Another panel of judges comprising local industry experts 07 Oct 2019
Another panel of judges comprising local industry experts
The contestants excitedly making their way to the stage 07 Oct 2019
The contestants excitedly making their way to the stage
The remaining 12 contestants supporting their fellow hopefuls from backstage 07 Oct 2019
The remaining 12 contestants supporting their fellow hopefuls from backstage
The other contestants react to the first six finalists' victory backstage 07 Oct 2019
The other contestants react to the first six finalists' victory backstage
Still all smiles despite not advancing to the Grand Finals. Thumbs up for good sportsmanship! 07 Oct 2019
Still all smiles despite not advancing to the Grand Finals. Thumbs up for good sportsmanship!
Mentor to mentee: Chen Hanwei speaks to Juin Teh backstage 07 Oct 2019
Mentor to mentee: Chen Hanwei speaks to Juin Teh backstage
The Top 23 doing a group cheer before the show begins 07 Oct 2019
The Top 23 doing a group cheer before the show begins
Getting their makeup done backstage 07 Oct 2019
Getting their makeup done backstage
Hanging out backstage before the show 07 Oct 2019
Hanging out backstage before the show
Zhai Siming, Natasha Chandra, and Zane Lim giving hearts backstage 07 Oct 2019
Zhai Siming, Natasha Chandra, and Zane Lim giving hearts backstage
A quick check in the many mirrors before going on live telly 07 Oct 2019
A quick check in the many mirrors before going on live telly
The bustling makeup room backstage 07 Oct 2019
The bustling makeup room backstage
After enduring months of gruelling auditions and training sessions, the first six Star Search 2019 finalists were officially chosen at last night’s (Oct 6) semi-finals.
During the two-hour live programme, 11 out of the 23 hopefuls had the chance to show off their showbiz skills in a bid to secure a spot in the Grand Final next month. Six were chosen at the end of the night, and six more will be selected at the second Semi-final this Sunday (Oct 13) to round up the Top 12.
For those who noticed, no, “23” is not a typo. Before the live show kicked off, we received a surprising update from the organisers: one of the original Top 24, Tan Hao Thian, recently decided to withdraw from the competition due to “personal reasons”.
But the show went on for the remaining 11, who had to impress a formidable - if we do say so - panel of judges that included local industry experts, as well as foreign veteran actors Bowie Lam, Phoebe Huang, and Man Shu Sam.
The judging criteria comprised four areas: dancing (10 per cent), acting (40 per cent), individual charisma (30 per cent), and improvisation skills (20 per cent). The dancing and improv were done live on stage, while the acting was seen through a pre-produced, three-part mini drama featuring Star Search 1999 winner Jeff Wang.
At the end of the show, the six who will advance to the Grand Finals were revealed to be Juin Teh, Vanessa Ho, Zane Lim, Chang Hio Cheng, Jernelle Oh, and Hermen Keh. Congratulations! And all the best for the rest of your Star Search journey.
Click through for more photos from the Star Search 2019 Semi-final 1 and backstage.
Star Search 2019 Semi-final 2 will air live on October 13, 8pm, on Toggle and Channel 8. Star Search 2019 Grand Final will air live on November 3, 7pm, on Toggle and Channel 8.
Be the first to comment