Dennis Chew
Dennis Chew Chong Kheng (born 15 August 1973), also known as Zhou Chongqing, is a Singaporean radio deejay, actor, variety show host and singer. Chew is known for playing Aunty Lucy, a character which requires him to cross-dress as a middle-aged woman in the variety show Paris and Milan.
Dennis Chew | |||||||
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Born | Dennis Chew Chong Keng 15 August 1973 | ||||||
Nationality | Singaporean | ||||||
Education | Pearl's Hill Primary School Ngee Ann Secondary School | ||||||
Occupation | Radio deejay, actor, host, singer | ||||||
Years active | 1991–present | ||||||
Awards | Star Awards 2010 – Star Awards 2014 : Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes Star Awards 2016 : Most Beloved Celebrity BFF Award人气BFF Star Awards 2016 – Star Awards 2018 : Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes | ||||||
Chinese name | |||||||
Traditional Chinese | 周崇慶 | ||||||
Simplified Chinese | 周崇庆 | ||||||
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Musical career |
Early life
Chew studied at the former Pearl's Hill Primary School and Tuan Mong High School (predecessor of Ngee Ann Secondary School). At 13, Chew performed in the musical and children's television programme 《成语50》(Chinese Idioms 50). At 14, he was talent scouted for a commercial for Yakult because of his cute looks. He was part of the first batch of students in the teen acting classes organised by the Singapore Broadcasting Corporation during the late 1980s. In 1991, he played a substantial role in the TV drama The Future is Mine (锦绣前程).
After serving his National Service, Chew went on to Shatec to get a Diploma in Hotel Management as he realised during NS that it is important to further his studies.
Career
Chew became a Chinese teacher in Yumin Primary School and Raffles Girls' Primary School after completing his education. At the same time, he also worked as a part-time DJ at local radio station Y.E.S. 93.3FM. A few years later, he signed on as a full-time DJ with 93.3FM.
In Jan 2005, Chew released a music album, containing 9 original songs.
Chew's big break in television came in 2009 when he portrayed Aunty Lucy in the variety show Paris and Milan (女王本色), which also starred Patricia Mok, Michelle Tay and Ben Yeo.[1] His performance was extremely well received by both young and old, earning him popularity which led to his first ever win (Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes Award) at the annual Star Awards in 2010. The character's catchphrase "Aiyoh, so embarrassing!" and the swooshing of his head to the right was popular with audiences. "Aunty Lucy" was also featured in films like Aunty Lucy Slam Dunk (Auntie Lucy 也灌篮),[2] It's a Great, Great World (大世界) and Dance Dance Dragon (龙众舞), and the game show We Are Singaporeans. Chew later stated in an interview that the success of Aunty Lucy was a major turning point in his career, and the endorsement deals it brought helped him clear debts which he had incurred from an unsuccessful business venture.[1]
While juggling DJ duties, Chew also hosts many different programmes ranging from roadshows, variety programmes and game shows, and starred in several television series. He had also participated in several local productions and films. These include the 881 The Musical, in which he played the role of an evil artiste manager. In February 2013, Chew finalised his plans to move over to Love 97.2FM in mid-March as DJ, after hosting at YES 93.3FM for 20 years.[3]
Chew has gotten 9 out of 10 Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes from 2010–2013, 2016–2019 respectively.
"Brownface" controversy
Chew appeared in a controversial advertisement by e-payments website epaysg.com, where he portrayed characters such as a woman in a tudung and a man with visibly darker skin. Broadcaster Mediacorp, through its celebrity management wing, later apologized for the controversial ad and the epaysg.com website has also removed it.[4]
Filmography
Television host
- Small and Beautiful (channel 5)
- Gatekeepers
- Black Rose
- Star Awards 2010 Show 1
- Paris and Milan
- 《餐饮英雄榜》
- 《抢摊大行动》(with Kym Ng & Quan Yi Fong)
- 《真相大点击》(with Kym Ng)
- 《好货上门》(with Patricia Mok)
- 《神厨双怪》(with Chew Chor Meng)
- 新加坡金曲奖颁奖典礼 Singapore Hit Awards 2002–2011
- 《中华英雄》
- 《小小儿戏》Innocent Moments (with Fiona Xie)
- 《哎哟哟!宝贝》(with Chen Liping)
- Kids 看招
- 《非常Superband》常驻评判 SuperBand (Season 1)
- 《我吃,你吃,它刺刺刺》(with Huang Wenyong)
- 《惊喜一整天》1和2
- 《名人 tic tac toe》常驻嘉宾
- 《吃吃乐乐》
- Goggles Life 3
- 红星大奖2016 Star Awards 2016
- The Love 97.2 Breakfast Quartet (with Mark Lee & Marcus Chin)
- Dennis Uncovers 周公找茶
Film
Year | English title | Native title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
2006 | Zodiac: The Race Begins | 生肖传奇 | Rooster, Rat, Evil Official | Voiceover |
2007 | One Last Dance | 茶舞 | Foresan | |
Men in White | 鬼啊鬼啊 | |||
2009 | Aunty Lucy Slam Dunk | Auntie Lucy也灌篮 | Auntie Lucy | |
2011 | It's a Great, Great World | 大世界 | Auntie Lucy | |
The Ghosts Must Be Crazy | 鬼也笑 | Ah Tan | ||
2012 | Dance Dance Dragon | 龙众舞 | Lucy Long | |
Ghost on Air | 灵听 | Ping Xiao | [5] | |
2013 | Everybody's Business | 人人有份 | Mr Tay | |
2015 | King of Mahjong | 麻雀王 | ||
2017 | Take 2 | 遇见贵人 | ||
2019 | Make It Big Big | 玉建煌崇大件事 | Himself | |
Chinese/Dialect Series
Year | English title | Native title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
1991 | The Future is Mine | 锦绣前程 | Zhu Xiangqian | |
1992 | Duel in Shanghai | 轰天龙虎 | Yan Huaiming | |
1993 | Heavenly Beings | 再战封神榜 | Lan Caihe | |
Hidden Truth | 法网晴天 | Lin Zhiji | ||
Battle of Justice | 人海孤鸿 | Short-sighted | ||
1999 | Darling-In-Law | 我的岳母是巫婆 | Host | Cameo appearance |
2000 | The Invincible Squad | 迷幻特警 | Zhang Wenqing | |
2001 | Love Me, Love Me Not | 真爱无敌 | Xiongxiong | Cameo appearance |
2002 | My Genie 2 | 我爱精灵2 | 3838438 | Sitcom |
New Dragon's Inn | 新龙门客栈 | Dian Xiao-er | Sitcom | |
2012 | Blk 88 | 大牌88 | Voice-over (guest appearance) Animated web series | |
Beyond | X元素 | Marcus | Cameo | |
2013 | It's a Wonderful Life | 好运到 | Bai Baoxiang | |
The Dream Makers | 志在四方 | Fang Yuanren |
| |
2014 | Yes We Can! | 我们一定行! | Mr Chew | Cameo |
World at Your Feet | 球在你脚下 | Lan Yangyang 蓝阳阳 |
| |
118 | Wang Shunfeng |
255 episodes | ||
2015 | The Dream Makers II | 志在四方II | Fang Yuanren | |
2016 | I Want to Be a Star | 小咖大作战 | Edgar | Toggle Original Series |
118 II | Wang Shunfeng | 218 episodes | ||
Hero | 大英雄 | Aunty Lucy | Cameo | |
'2017 | Happy Can Already! | 欢喜就好 | ||
Happy Can Already! 2 | 欢喜就好 2 | |||
2018 | 118 Reunion | 118大团圆 | Wang Shunfeng | |
Eat Already? 4 | 吃饱没? 4 | Aunty Lucy | ||
My Agent Is A Hero | 流氓经纪 | Lin Bozai | Cameo | |
2019 | Limited Edition | 我是限量版 | Yingxiong |
|
I See You | 看见看不见的你 | 748 |
| |
My One in a Million | 我的万里挑一 | Zhang Sheng |
| |
A Whole World Difference | 都市狂想 | Mr Zhou |
|
Compilation album
Year | English title | Mandarin title |
---|---|---|
2015 | MediaCorp Music Lunar New Year Album 15 | 新传媒群星金羊添吉祥 |
2016 | MediaCorp Music Lunar New Year Album 16 | 新传媒群星金猴添喜庆 |
2017 | MediaCorp Music Lunar New Year Album 17 | 新传媒群星咕鸡咕鸡庆丰年 |
2018 | MediaCorp Music Lunar New Year Album 18 | 新传媒群星阿狗狗过好年 |
2019 | MediaCorp Music Lunar New Year Album 19 | 新传媒群星猪饱饱欢乐迎肥年 |
2020 | MediaCorp Music Lunar New Year Album 20 | 裕鼠鼠纳福迎春了 |
Awards and nominations
Year | Award |
---|---|
2000 | RCS Golden Mike Awards – 'Most Friendly' DJ |
2001 | Friday Weekly Singapore's Top 10 Most Popular DJs |
2002 | MediaCorp Radio Golden Mike Awards – 'Most Humorous' DJ[6] |
Friday Weekly Singapore's Top 10 Most Popular DJs | |
2003 | Friday Weekly Singapore's Top 10 Most Popular DJs |
2004 | MediaCorp Radio Golden Mike Awards – YES 933 Most Popular DJ |
MediaCorp Radio Golden Mike Awards – Most Popular Mandarin Stations DJ | |
Friday Weekly Singapore' Top 10 Most Popular DJs | |
2005 | Friday Weekly Singapore's Top 10 Most Popular DJs |
2006 | Friday Weekly Singapore's Most Popular DJ |
2007 | Singapore Radio Awards – Radio Personality of the Year (Chinese stations) |
2010 | Singapore Radio Awards – Chinese stations DJ of the Year (Media's Choice) |
2011 | Singapore Radio Awards – YES 933 Most Popular DJ |
Star Awards – Acting / Hosting Awards | |||
---|---|---|---|
Year | Category | Nominated work | Result |
2002 | Best Comedy Performer | New Dragon's Inn | Nominated |
Best Variety Show Host | One Fun Day | Nominated | |
2003 | Innocent Moments | Nominated | |
2010 | Paris and Milan | Nominated | |
2014 | Best Supporting Actor | The Dream Makers | Nominated |
2017 | 3rd Asia Rainbow TV Awards, Best Comedy Actor | 118 | Won |
2019 | Best Programme Host | Dennis Uncovers | Nominated |
Star Awards – Popularity Awards | |||
---|---|---|---|
Year | Award | Result | |
2002 | Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes | Top 20 | |
2003 | Top 20 | ||
2004 | Top 20 | ||
2005 | Top 20 | ||
2006 | Top 20 | ||
2010 | Top 10 | ||
2011 | Top 10 | ||
2012 | Top 10 | ||
2013 | Top 10 | ||
2014 | Top 10 | ||
2015 | Top 20 | ||
2016 | Top 10 | ||
2017 | Top 10 | ||
2018 | Top 10 | ||
2019 | Top 10 |
References
- "Radio DJ Dennis Chew interview: My dad hit me when I was young". Yahoo! Singapore. 4 March 2012.
- "Aunty Lucy goes to the movies". Channel News Asia. 25 August 2009.
- "Dennis Chew leaving YES 93.3FM in March". XinMSN. Archived from the original on 7 March 2013. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
- hermesauto (1 August 2019). "Nets apologises for hurt caused by 'brownface' advertising campaign". The Straits Times. Retrieved 1 August 2019.
- "Tales of terror Free scares". The Star. 11 June 2012. Archived from the original on 19 February 2013.
- "金唛奖2002". Archived from the original on 18 January 2006. Retrieved 9 September 2012.
External links
- Profile on xinmsn