Desmond and Zetong then spoke about their showbiz mentors, whom they met during their Star Search journeys. Desmond was coached by Chen Hanwei, while Zetong’s coach was Christopher Lee.
Jernelle’s mentor was also Hanwei and she revealed that he continues to check in on her every now and then. She would update him on her ongoing projects, seek advice, and even send him her well wishes every Father’s Day.
Aileen did not enjoy the luxury of having a mentor guide her during the competition.
Aileen said: “My mentor is my experience. I remember the [2019 Star Search finalists] starred in a show called All Around You. Zhai Siming played my son in it. I remember there was a scene in which he just couldn’t get his tears to flow. The director asked me to help him out, and I remember him wearing headphones to [listen to music] get emotional for the scene.”
“When it comes down to emotions, it’s not something that you get right in one go. As a newcomer, he just couldn’t get it right. I tried my best to help him. I kept slapping myself in order to help him cry. The camera wasn’t even on me, it was on him. I continuously slapped myself while praying he could cry, and thankfully, he eventually teared up.”
After hearing what Aileen did, Desmond chirped: “So Zhai Siming, every Mother’s Day, please remember to send her a message.”
Now, who wouldn’t want Aileen as a mentor?
Photos: Mediacorp Entertainment #JustSwipeLah/ YouTube, mewatch
Star Search is available on Ch 8, mewatch and the Mediacorp Entertainment YouTube Channel.
The Search for Stars will air on Saturdays, 8.30pm – 10pm on Ch 8.
The Star Search 2024 Finals will be telecast live on Nov 24, 7pm – 10pm on Ch 8.
Catch the full #JustSwipeLah episode below. You can also catch Aileen and Siming in the All Around You scene on mewatch, or watch the episode below.