Paige Chua

Early life

Chua studied at Mayflower Secondary School, Serangoon Junior College and graduated from the National University of Singapore Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences with a Bachelor of Arts. An active netball player in school, Chua represented Singapore in netball and was part of the National Youth Netball team (1997 – 1999). She was discovered at a basic modeling class, thus starting her four-year career as a model.

Career

Chua made her acting debut in Just in Singapore, where she was cast as the half-sister of Fiona Xie. In the later part of 2008, she had 2 more roles in major dramas, such as La Femme and Crime Busters x 2.

Chua continued to take on significant roles wherein 2009, she plays a tomboy Zhang Xiao Wei in The Dream Catchers and an aspiring director Li Lifen in the long TV series Your Hand in Mine.

2010 was a breakthrough year for Chua. She earned her first nomination for “Best Supporting Actress” in Star Awards 2010 for her character in The Dream Catchers.

She made a guest appearance in Unriddle as Zhang Mei Lin, a girl with a dubious identity. The Score marks Chua first entrance as a lead actress where she plays Zhou Tian Lan an office lady with a mysterious background. She also acted in a drama series Secret Garden which its plot revolves around the psychological problems faced in the society these days where she plays an enthusiastic, idealistic social worker.

In 2011, Chua started to move towards the bigger screen. She acted in the movie It's a Great, Great World a local production where she plays Mu Dan, a nightclub dancer. This movie was being screened during Chinese New Year period and received overwhelming response where it broke S$2Million box offices mark. Chua also starred alongside Chen Hanwei as his wife, Bai Xiu Ming a jovial workaholic in the drama Be Happy. 2011 also marks Chua popularity and recognition from the audiences as she was nominated one of the Top 20 Popular Female Artiste in Star Awards 2011.

Chua is also a host, and was involved in hosting a lifestyle information program, "LOHAS" and "The Activist's Journey II", an info-ed program in 2012. She won her first Star Award, Top 10 Most Popular Female Artiste at Star Awards 2012.

2013 was a busy year for Chua as she starred in numerous dramas such as It's A Wonderful Life, 96°C Café, The Enchanted and Sudden.

Chua had her first taste in a comedy role in the sitcom, The Recruit Diaries where she plays LT Angie Chen, an army officer which trains a new group of recruits. She also had a role in Okto as an inexperienced elementary school teacher in The School Bell Rings.

Chua also hosted season 4 of RenovAID. A programme about helping the less fortunate among us; to revitalize their homes and in turn, their lives.

In 2014, Chua won Bottomslim Sexiest leg award at Star Awards 20. Her character as part of a chivalrous team in Against The Tide was also another breakthrough role that earned her a nomination for "Best Supporting Actress" in Star Awards 2015.

Chua won her second Top 10 Most Popular Female Artiste award at Star Awards 2015.

2016 has been a rewarding year for Chua. She participated in Beyond Words (TV series) a Malaysia production, and was one of the leading actresses for If Only I Could (TV series), The Gentlemen and Soul Reaper. Chua was also cast in the year-end blockbuster drama Hero (2016 TV series) where she plays a damsel in distress, a character that is unlike her previous drama roles. This character was seen as a breakthrough role and earned her numerous praises and a nomination for "Best Supporting Actress" in Star Awards 2017.

As 2017 marks the 50th anniversary of National service in Singapore (NS), Chua played the role of a Navy Captain in When Duty Calls, a NS50 drama which Mediacorp Channel 8 collaborates with Ministry of Defence (Singapore) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (Singapore) to commemorate this milestone. She won her third Top 10 Most Popular Female Artistes award in Star Awards 2017. Chua outshone herself by playing a domineering housewife in the recently concluded drama Mightiest Mother-in-Law. In response, she has been critically acclaimed by local audiences.

Awards and nominations

The Star Awards are presented by Mediacorp.