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Zoe Tay on her legacy, storytelling and the essence of belonging
Maya Menon
There are few names as synonymous with Singapore as Zoe Tay. Fondly known as theQueen of Caldecott Hill, she has firmly cemented her place in local pop culture, renowned for her striking looks, raspy, gravitas-laden voice and undeniable acting chops. Now 57 years old, Tay’s journey began in modelling, eventually clinching first prize in the 1988 Star Search, which landed her a three-year contract with Mediacorp and gave her a leg up in acting.
“Modelling is quite different as posing for shots is different from acting,” she reflects. “My career in acting started after winning Star Search, and honestly, I’ve been blessed with the opportunities given to me: good stories and scripts over the years. Working with many different actors, including overseas ones, gave me varied perspectives and experiences along the way.”
Tay clinched Star Awards as recently as 2019 and 2021 for her roles in A Million Dollar Dreamand My Guardian Angels, and launched The Zoe and Liang Show podcast in 2023 to mark her 35th year in the business. Yet it’s her most recent role in Emerald Hill – The Little Nyonya Story family saga that has further cemented her iconic status.
Tay notes that this role marks a departure for her, requiring her to age up to 72 years old and tap into the psyche of someone far less vivacious and active than the characters she has previously portrayed. Set between the ’50s and ’70s, Emerald Hill – The Little Nyonya Storysees Tay acting alongside a mix of veterans and fresh faces, from Jeanette Aw to Tyler Ten, as she takes on the role of the matriarch of the Peranakan Zhang family in Singapore.
Being a pivotal character in one of Singapore’s most culturally significant productions comes with the quiet weight of responsibility—not only in representing heritage, but in taking care of oneself throughout the process. Over the years, Tay has found small ways to do this. “I watch my diet carefully, especially during filming, and drink lots of water. I also exercise, such as going hiking when possible. Basically, I try to have as much me time as I can, while also ensuring I have time for my family.” Here, she talks about the impact of Emerald Hill – The Little Nyonya Story in terms of local storytelling, an ever-changing landscape of entertainment as well as what home has meant to her over the years.
Hi Zoe, thank you so much for joining us today. What has life looked like for you lately?
I’ve been keeping busy with work, doing some travelling and spending time with family too. There are so many places that I still want to visit!
Tell us about your experience on our VogueSingapore shoot. What was it like for you?
It was interesting and exciting. Fashion-wise, there was a fusion of nyonya elements and avant-garde styles, and I can’t wait for the cover to be released.
You began your career in the late ’80s, when Singapore’s entertainment scene was developing. How has your experience evolved over the years?
When I started, it was always about trying to learn the craft and improve by learning from my seniors. It was hard work. I don’t think much has changed over the years in terms of needing to work hard and continuously improve. There is always something new to work on. What’s important is to have a passion for your work; this is what drives you forward.
You began your career in the late ’80s, when Singapore’s entertainment scene was developing. How has your experience evolved over the years?
When I started, it was always about trying to learn the craft and improve by learning from my seniors. It was hard work. I don’t think much has changed over the years in terms of needing to work hard and continuously improve. There is always something new to work on. What’s important is to have a passion for your work; this is what drives you forward.
Many of your early roles, such as in The Unbeatables and Pretty Faces, became instant classics. What drew you to these projects and how did you prepare for them?
I was blessed to be offered these roles. It was the different characters that challenged and attracted me—something I think most, if not all, actors look for. Preparing for roles is important to me. I try to research how the characters should be played, styled and made up; I discuss with directors the best approach and even learn some tricks of the trade. For The Unbeatables, for example, I learnt card and dice tricks. I had to practise really hard to perfect some of the moves. It was also when I started to learn how to play mahjong for real. For Pretty Faces, I created my hairstyle with my hairstylist, and the dressing as well.
You’ve seen the industry evolve over the decades. What have been some of the greatest challenges you’ve faced and what moments have been the most rewarding?
Perhaps the biggest change in the industry over the years has been the proliferation of online media, which meant that promotions for shows had to expand to cover these platforms, including, more recently, social media. For me, the greatest challenge has been keeping up with the fast-changing trends on these platforms. As for the most rewarding moments, I would say falling in love with my job. Also, having roles that, even after all these years, people still recognise and remember. Winning awards is, of course, one of the highlights.
The industry can be highly competitive and demanding. What keeps you grounded?
When I started, my dad kept reminding me to do my very best and to do things well and his words have stayed with me to this day. The advice I would give to my younger self is to stay grounded and to stay the course. It’s not going to be easy, but every challenge is an opportunity.
What does a typical day look like when you’re filming compared to when you have downtime?
When filming, the schedule can be quite intense for a few months and sometimes we only get a few hours of sleep. When I have downtime, I try to grab as much rest as possible, get a beauty treatment and catch up with friends and family.
Now, let’s talk about Emerald Hill – The Little Nyonya Story, a show that has resonated with audiences. What initially attracted you to the project?
What attracted me was the interesting nyonya culture, and I found the role to be compelling and challenging. In this recent role, I play the matriarch of the family who struggles with depression and dementia while trying to keep the family together. This is different from past roles where I typically portrayed stronger and more active characters.
What was the most challenging or memorable moment during the filming of Emerald Hill – The Little Nyonya Story?
I found playing this grandmother role quite challenging. I had to change my body language and tone of speaking to portray the role. It was more difficult than I had thought. This is the second time Mediacorp has produced a show about the nyonya culture, which is unique to Singapore and Malaysia. I think the characters were interesting and memorable; they left an impression on the audience, young and old.
How do you hope Emerald Hill – The Little Nyonya Story will influence local storytelling as a whole?
I hope that Emerald Hill – The Little Nyonya Story’s success, both locally and internationally, will help showcase Singapore as a whole, and garner interest and enjoyment in watching more Singaporean dramas. I think this show has sparked curiosity in learning more about Singapore’s history as well.
In Singapore’s current media landscape, what opportunities and challenges do you see for up-and-coming local artists?
I think there are always opportunities as social media really opens up the playing field—one can be recognised more easily. But at the same time, there’s a lot of competition, so one has to stand out and be memorable. You have to continue working hard, hone your craft and always stay positive.
This issue is themed ‘Home’. What does home, in the context of Singapore and SG60, mean to you?
Home to me is familiarity, family, comfort and love. Singapore has come a long way and while I always look forward to every National Day, every decade we celebrate our nation’s birthday feels that much more special to me. One of my favourite memories growing up is watching the National Day parades: hearing the aircraft roaring past my house, watching the shows live on TV and, in certain years, being at the parade itself. On the personal side, memories of family interactions and dinners through the years hold a special place in my heart.
And finally, what’s next?
I’m currently working on a new drama work-wise, and on the personal side, I intend to explore the world a bit more.
