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.

This is a Chinese name; the family name is Chew.
Dennis Chew
Born
Dennis Chew Chong Keng

(1973-08-15) 15 August 1973
Singapore
NationalitySingaporean
EducationPearl's Hill Primary School
Ngee Ann Secondary School
OccupationRadio deejay, actor, host, singer
Years active1991–present
AwardsStar 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
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

Film
Year English title Native title Role Notes
2006Zodiac: The Race Begins生肖传奇Rooster, Rat, Evil OfficialVoiceover
2007One Last Dance茶舞Foresan
Men in White鬼啊鬼啊
2009Aunty Lucy Slam DunkAuntie Lucy也灌篮Auntie Lucy
2011It's a Great, Great World大世界Auntie Lucy
The Ghosts Must Be Crazy鬼也笑Ah Tan
2012Dance Dance Dragon龙众舞Lucy Long
Ghost on Air灵听Ping Xiao[5]
2013Everybody's Business人人有份Mr Tay
2015King of Mahjong麻雀王
2017Take 2遇见贵人
2019Make It Big Big玉建煌崇大件事Himself

Chinese/Dialect Series
Year English title Native title Role Notes
1991The Future is Mine锦绣前程Zhu Xiangqian
1992Duel in Shanghai轰天龙虎Yan Huaiming
1993Heavenly 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
1999Darling-In-Law我的岳母是巫婆HostCameo appearance
2000The Invincible Squad迷幻特警Zhang Wenqing
2001Love Me, Love Me Not真爱无敌XiongxiongCameo appearance
2002My Genie 2我爱精灵23838438Sitcom
New Dragon's Inn新龙门客栈Dian Xiao-erSitcom
2012Blk 88大牌88Voice-over (guest appearance)
Animated web series
BeyondX元素MarcusCameo
2013It's a Wonderful Life好运到Bai Baoxiang
The Dream Makers志在四方Fang Yuanren
2014Yes We Can!我们一定行！Mr ChewCameo
World at Your Feet球在你脚下Lan Yangyang 蓝阳阳
118Wang Shunfeng

255 episodes

2015The Dream Makers II志在四方IIFang Yuanren
2016I Want to Be a Star小咖大作战EdgarToggle Original Series
118 IIWang Shunfeng218 episodes
Hero大英雄Aunty LucyCameo
'2017Happy Can Already!欢喜就好
Happy Can Already! 2欢喜就好 2
2018118 Reunion118大团圆Wang Shunfeng
Eat Already? 4吃饱没? 4Aunty Lucy
My Agent Is A Hero流氓经纪Lin BozaiCameo
2019Limited Edition我是限量版Yingxiong
  • Male lead
  • Toggle Original Series
I See You看见看不见的你748
  • 2nd male lead
  • Toggle Original Series
My One in a Million我的万里挑一Zhang Sheng
  • Cameo
A Whole World Difference都市狂想Mr Zhou
  • 1st male lead
  • Toggle Original Series

Compilation album
Year English title Mandarin title
2015MediaCorp Music Lunar New Year Album 15新传媒群星金羊添吉祥
2016MediaCorp Music Lunar New Year Album 16新传媒群星金猴添喜庆
2017MediaCorp Music Lunar New Year Album 17新传媒群星咕鸡咕鸡庆丰年
2018MediaCorp Music Lunar New Year Album 18新传媒群星阿狗狗过好年
2019MediaCorp Music Lunar New Year Album 19新传媒群星猪饱饱欢乐迎肥年
2020MediaCorp Music Lunar New Year Album 20裕鼠鼠纳福迎春了

Awards and nominations
Radio
YearAward
2000RCS Golden Mike Awards – 'Most Friendly' DJ
2001Friday Weekly Singapore's Top 10 Most Popular DJs
2002MediaCorp Radio Golden Mike Awards – 'Most Humorous' DJ[6]
Friday Weekly Singapore's Top 10 Most Popular DJs
2003Friday Weekly Singapore's Top 10 Most Popular DJs
2004MediaCorp 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
2005Friday Weekly Singapore's Top 10 Most Popular DJs
2006Friday Weekly Singapore's Most Popular DJ
2007Singapore Radio Awards – Radio Personality of the Year (Chinese stations)
2010Singapore Radio Awards – Chinese stations DJ of the Year (Media's Choice)
2011Singapore Radio Awards – YES 933 Most Popular DJ
Star Awards – Acting / Hosting Awards
YearCategoryNominated workResult
2002Best Comedy PerformerNew Dragon's InnNominated
Best Variety Show HostOne Fun DayNominated
2003Innocent MomentsNominated
2010Paris and MilanNominated
2014Best Supporting ActorThe Dream MakersNominated
20173rd Asia Rainbow TV Awards, Best Comedy Actor118Won
2019Best Programme HostDennis UncoversNominated
Star Awards – Popularity Awards
YearAwardResult
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
  1. "Radio DJ Dennis Chew interview: My dad hit me when I was young". Yahoo! Singapore. 4 March 2012.
  2. "Aunty Lucy goes to the movies". Channel News Asia. 25 August 2009.
  3. "Dennis Chew leaving YES 93.3FM in March". XinMSN. Archived from the original on 7 March 2013. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  4. hermesauto (1 August 2019). "Nets apologises for hurt caused by 'brownface' advertising campaign". The Straits Times. Retrieved 1 August 2019.
  5. "Tales of terror Free scares". The Star. 11 June 2012. Archived from the original on 19 February 2013.
  6. "金唛奖2002". Archived from the original on 18 January 2006. Retrieved 9 September 2012.
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