Singapore's Rising Star Shines at Asian Academy Creative Awards!
Prepare to be amazed by the incredible talent of Ivory Chia, a 9-year-old Singaporean actress who just made history. At the prestigious 2025 Asian Academy Creative Awards (AACA), Ivory became the youngest actor ever to win, taking home the award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Asia-Pacific).
The ceremony, now in its eighth year, was a star-studded event held at the iconic Capitol Theatre on December 4. Ivory's breakthrough performance as the spirited and clever younger version of Tasha Low's Xinniang in Mediacorp's hit drama series Emerald Hill: The Little Nyonya Story (2025) captured the hearts of the judges.
In a thrilling turn of events, Ivory tied with Indian actress Garima Vikrant Singh, who was nominated for her role in the Indian comedy-drama series Gram Chikitsalay (Village Clinic, 2025). But here's where it gets exciting: Ivory emerged victorious after an additional round of judging, proving her exceptional talent.
And this is the part most people miss—Ivory's win wasn't just a fluke. She outshone some of the industry's brightest stars, including South Korean Oscar winner Youn Yuh-jung (Pachinko, 2022-2024) and Hong Kong's Yoyo Chen (D.I.D. 12, 2025).
Ivory, dressed in a traditional kebaya, gracefully accepted her award, thanking the producers, cast, and crew of Emerald Hill for their support and guidance. She also acknowledged her on-screen 'nya nyas' (maternal figures), Chen Liping and Jesseca Liu, for their nurturing presence.
Ivory's journey to the AACA began with her being named Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Singapore) in October, which propelled her into the Asia-Pacific category. Her acting career started with the local drama Love At First Bite (2022-2023), and she has since graced various shows, including Soul Detective (2022), Family Ties (2023), and Shero (2023).
The young talent has also been recognized by the Star Awards, receiving nominations for the Young Talent Award in 2023 and 2024. The AACA, an annual celebration of excellence, showcases works from 17 countries and regions, including powerhouses like Australia, China, Japan, India, New Zealand, and South Korea. The judging panel consists of seasoned industry professionals.
China dominated the night, claiming the top awards for Best Feature Film (Mumu, 2025) and Best Drama Series (Strange Tales Of Tang Dynasty: To The West, 2024). Singapore, however, held its own, winning five awards and tying with Japan for the highest number of accolades. These included Best Short Form (Non-Scripted) for Diablo: Father Antonio Beyond The Veil (2024), Best Branded Programme for Monumental Macao (2024), and Best Direction (Non-Fiction) for Rowena Loh's Karikal Mahal: A Silent Witness (2025).
But wait, there's more to this story. Ivory's win raises an intriguing question: How young is too young for such prestigious awards? Is it fair to pit child actors against seasoned veterans? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let's explore this fascinating topic further.
