Teoh Ze Tong crowned Star Search winner; will quit Carousell job to act

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Teoh Ze Tong crowned Star Search winner; will quit Carousell job to act

The associate customer relationship management manager made it through ii rounds of semi-finals and a star-studded judging panel consisting of Carina Lau, Simon Yam and Stephen Fung at the Star Search Thousand Final.

An emotional and teary Teoh Ze Tong emerged winner of Star Search 2022 on Sunday (Nov three) at the Mediacorp Theatre, beating out 11 other finalists to assure the championship.

In second and tertiary places are Herman Keh and Ye Jia Yun respectively, while Vanessa Ho took domicile the Samsung Galaxy: Breakthrough Talent Accolade.

Teoh, who still looked visibly surprised at the post-testify press conference, said: "I'yard not used to so many cameras. Information technology feels very complicated. I didn't await to win. Anybody did very well."

(From left) First runner-up Herman Keh, winner Teoh Ze Tong, and second runner-up Ye Jia Yun. (Photo: Mediacorp Photo Unit)

Asked if he would quit his job, the 26-yr-old answered in the affirmative. "I volition exist joining Mediacorp for sure," he said. "My director (from my current job) is here and he saw my win."

Beginning runner-up Keh, 23, also expressed interest in pursuing a career in acting, saying, "My mentor Christopher has changed my life. I'thousand very happy to have met him. I can't 'play' anymore. It's time to get serious."

Ye, 17, who clinched third identify, said: "My Standard mandarin isn't the all-time, so I will work on that and read more Chinese books. I promise to speak better at the next press conference."

READ: From 1,200 hopefuls to 12 finalists – who will win Star Search 2022 on Nov three?

The evening tested the contestants in four areas: The introduction segment; the talent and trip the light fantastic segment; the question round; and the mainstay of Star Search, the acting round. Their performances were judged by a console consisting of actors Carina Lau, Simon Yam and Stephen Fung as well as industry veteran Homo Shu Sum and Mediacorp's chief content officer Doreen Neo on Lord's day.

The judges (from left) Stephen Fung, Carina Lau, Simon Yam and Human being Shu Sum at Star Search 2019. (Photo: Mediacorp Photo Unit)

Veteran histrion Yam had highlighted before the contest that "it'due south not about doing well tonight. It's like the exams nosotros took every bit children. How nosotros did back then isn't an indication of how well we'll do in life. It'southward where we put our middle that matters," he said.

The awardees have come a long mode. Their journey to stardom began with auditions in May, followed by an emotionally gruelling mentorship programme, and two rounds of semi-finals in October.

Teoh's win prompted his mentor Christopher Lee to exclaim, "Don't work in IT, exist an actor", as he took the stage to congratulate his protege.

Teoh Ze Tong celebrates his win. (Photo: Mediacorp Photograph Unit of measurement)

Other than Mediacorp contracts, the pinnacle-three winners were also awarded other prizes. Teoh drove off an Audi Q2, while offset runner-up Keh brought home S$v,000 worth of Poh Heng jewellery and S$7,000 worth of prizes by Bonia. Second runner-up Ye won S$iii,000 worth of prizes by Bonia. Ho received Due south$10,000 cash and a trip to Seoul for winning the Samsung Milky way: Quantum Talent Award.

READ: Watch Star Search contestants and alumni Desmond Tan re-enact a fishy scene

This is the 11th edition of Star Search, which took a 9-year hiatus after 2010. The talent bear witness has launched the careers of Zoe Tay at the very kickoff edition in 1988 too as Lee, Felicia Chin, Andie Chen, Chew Chor Meng and many more.

Teoh Ze Tong crowned Star Search winner; will quit Carousell job to act

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