If anyone still doubts that Singapore has serious talent brewing, Ivory Chia just walked in and said, “Hold my Milo.” This nine-year-old powerhouse snagged the Best Supporting Actress (Asia-Pacific) award at the Asian Academy Creative Awards (AACA), and honestly, the way she did it? Chef’s kiss. She went head-to-head with seasoned queens like Oscar winner Youn Yuh-jung, Taiwan’s Fang Wenlin, TVB darling Yoyo Chen, and China’s He Ruixian. Then she casually walked away with the trophy like it was just another school medal from Sports Day.
And mind you, this is only two months after she already won the Singapore category. Basically, our girl stepped into Asia-Pacific like, “Okay lah, next level.”
The Big Moment: From Shocked to Slay Mode
At the ceremony, Ivory showed up in a vibrant blue-and-pink floral sarong kebaya — very on-theme, very Peranakan chic. When her name was announced, she literally jumped up with her hands over her mouth. Then she marched onto the stage with the confidence of someone who definitely didn’t expect it but also low-key deserved it.
She thanked everyone from AACA to Mediacorp to the producers, directors, writers, and even the crew. At one point she was panting from excitement, and 987 DJ Joakim Gomez knelt to hold the mic for her like the human equivalent of a pop-up mic stand. Truly a core memory unlocked.
She also gave a sweet shoutout to her “nya nyas,” Chen Liping and Jesseca Liu, for giving her warmth and confidence. That’s found-family energy right there.
The Role That Won Asia’s Heart
Ivory plays young Xin Niang in Emerald Hill, the spin-off of The Little Nyonya. She’s a street-smart, sharp-tongued child beggar raised by Ah Zhu, Chen Liping’s gambling-addict character. Despite being the youngest on set, Ivory somehow manages to hold her own against actors who’ve been in the industry longer than she’s been alive.
Her performance? Bold. Sassy. Ridiculously good. She’s basically the kind of kid character who steals the whole show and leaves adults panic-Googling, “Who is this child actress???”
But Wait, She’s Been Acting Since She Was SIX?!
Ivory’s no overnight success. She first hit our screens at age six in Love at First Bite, where she played the younger version of Chantalle Ng. That was just the warm-up. Since then, she’s appeared in:
- Soul Detective
- Family Ties
- Shero
- All That Glitters
- Moments
- Once Upon a New year’s Eve
- Hope Afloat
- I Believe I Can Fly
And she’s still in primary school. When I was nine, I couldn’t even finish my tingxie without crying.
Her Acting School? Oh, It’s Pretty Legit.
Ivory trains at Zoom! Academy, where adults AND kids learn acting and hosting. Fellow Emerald Hill actor Charlotte Yue studies there too. And one of the trainers is Priscelia Chan — yes, the Priscelia Chan — who also appears in Emerald Hill. So Ivory’s not just talented; she’s surrounded by industry heavyweights.
And She Still Scores School Awards?!
Recently, Ivory received the CCC-CDC Education Merit Award 2024, which recognises academic excellence and good character. Celebrities like Ya Hui, Jesseca Liu, and Chen Liping all hopped into her Instagram comments to cheer her on. She’s basically doing better at life at nine than many of us did at twenty-nine.
Star Awards Nominations? Of Course.
Ivory’s talent hasn’t gone unnoticed. She’s been nominated twice for the Young Talent Award at the Star Awards — once in 2023 and again in 2024. No wins yet, but with the momentum she’s building, it feels like only a matter of time before her shelf starts getting crowded.
She Even Has Her Own Fan Club (Not Joking)
Ivory already has a loyal fan base, including Love 972 DJ Chen Biyu. She even has an official fan club launched last November. This girl is nine, and she has more organised fans than half the influencers on TikTok.
Honestly, Ivory is the kind of talent Singapore has been waiting for. She’s sharp, expressive, hardworking, and she has that quiet charm that makes directors go, “Oh yes, that’s the one.” Also, her ability to stay grounded while juggling school and acting? That’s not easy. Many child actors get burnt out or overwhelmed, but she seems to be handling it with grace — plus a little shy-girl energy, which makes her even more endearing.
I think she’s on track to be one of Singapore’s breakout stars in the region. Give her a few years, and she might just be the one other countries brag about “discovering.” Sorry ah — we got her first.
