Zoe Tay is a renowned Singaporean actress, former model, and a celebrated figure in the local entertainment industry. She has been affectionately dubbed the "Queen of Caldecott Hill" by the media and her peers, and is often referred to as "Ah Jie" or senior actress due to her immense popularity and status.
Tay's journey in the entertainment industry began at the tender age of 16, when she started her career as a model. Her impressive performances earned her the title of Model of the Year in 1987. The following year, she won the inaugural Star Search competition, which led to a three-year contract with the Singapore Broadcasting Corporation (SBC),now known as Mediacorp.
Initially, Tay was not fond of acting, but her role in the 1991 drama "Crime and Passion" sparked a passion within her. Her breakthrough performance in the 1992 drama "Pretty Faces" catapulted her to stardom, and she went on to win the Top 10 Most Popular Female Artiste Award at the Star Awards every year for a decade, from 1994 to 2003.
Tay's impressive performances have earned her numerous accolades, including the Best Actress award for her role in "The Golden Pillow" at the 1996 Star Awards. In 2004, she became the first actress to be awarded the prestigious All-Time Favourite Artiste award.
In addition to her television dramas, Tay has also ventured into films. In 2010, she starred alongside Hong Kong actor Kenny Ho in "Love Cuts," playing the role of a terminally ill woman with breast cancer. Two years later, she appeared in her first fully English-speaking role in the film "Mister John," opposite Irish star Aidan Gillen.
Throughout her career, Tay has collaborated with numerous artistes, including Li Nanxing and Huang Biren. Her on-screen chemistry with Li Nanxing has earned them a spot in the Top 5 Best Onscreen Couples at the Star Awards 25th Drama Anniversary show.
Tay's contributions to the television industry in Singapore have been recognized with a wax figurine modeled after her by Madame Tussauds Singapore, which is currently on display in the museum.
In 2017, Tay won her second Best Actress award at the Star Awards for her role in "You Can Be an Angel 2," 21 years after her first win. In an interview, she revealed that after her first win, she had contemplated quitting due to feelings of emptiness and loss. Instead, she enrolled in an acting class in New York, which transformed her into a more focused and dedicated actress.
Tay has credited her father's guidance, which includes the Chinese words "毅力" (perseverance),"耐力" (endurance),and "勇气" (courage),for her success. She has won numerous awards, including her third Best Actress award at the 2019 Star Awards for her role in "A Million Dollar Dream."
