Insta-Buzz: What The Stars Were Up To This Week

Festive posts dominated our feed this week (it was just Christmas, after all), but we also saw a few other interesting updates, including apologies from a few folks who ran into some trouble lately.

Earlier this week, a group photo of 13 people including several artistes was screen-grabbed and sent to a local Chinese daily by a reader, who wanted to complain about the blatant lack of safe distancing. While Mediacorp released a statement on behalf of the Mediacorp artistes involved, both Julie and her management agency, LNX Global, posted this on their Instagram accounts to apologise for her actions.

Photo: Julie Tan/Instagram

Also getting into trouble recently for allegedly ignoring COVID-19 safety measures was the Ah Boys to Men star and his wife, influencer Lizy Teo, who held their wedding reception last Sunday (Dec 20). Photos and clips of the event show guests mingling and playing games on stage without any face coverings.

On Thursday, both Maxi and Lizy posted similar Notes app statements on their socials, saying that they “will cooperate fully with the authorities and venue provider to assist with investigations”. They also apologised for failing to “set a good example” as “public personalities”.

Photo: Maxi Lim/Instagram

The Christmas celebrations started a little earlier for Phyllis, who invited Zoe Tay, Chen Xiuhuan, Carole Lin, Hong Huifang, and former actress Angela Ang over to her place for dinner on Tuesday night. And don’t worry, the ladies aren’t breaking any rules here, as some concerned followers brought up in the comments — households can receive up to five visitors at a time in Phase 2.

Photo: Phyllis Quek/Instagram

Rui En is certainly no stranger to doing charity work. Not long after spending a weekend distributing supplies to needy residents, the actress and her fanclub RBKD teamed up for their self-initiated Secret Santa activity, where they gave out candy to 100 children under the Whispering Hearts Family Services Centre.

Sharing a heart-warming anecdote via RBKD’s Instagram post, Rui En said: “When one of the mothers opened the door, her eyes lit up when she saw the candy canes. She exclaimed that one of her kids has been asking for a candy cane, and her hubby went from their home in Jurong West all the way to Vivo and couldn't find. A lot of people go thru life feeling invisible. At that moment, she realized that God sees her. Grateful that I had the opportunity to witness that moving moment. Couldn't think of a more meaningful way to spend my Xmas eve. (sic)”

Photos: RBKD/Instagram

Looks like both the actress and her husband, businessman Philip Lee, both got what they were wishing for. On Christmas Day, the couple announced that Myolie is expecting their third child, and Philip took the opportunity to pay a gushing tribute to his wife, whom he called “Super fertile and carrier of Lee Clan Baby3 (sic)”, among other compliments.

He also revealed that Myolie refrained from disclosing her pregnancy during her recent performances ‘cos she didn’t want to be given any special privileges over others. Props to her!

Photo: Myolie Wu/Instagram

Well, this is a little, um, sexier than all the other festive family pics flooding our feed. The couple, who is expecting their first child together after their surprise reconciliation, got cosy — really cosy — in front of a Christmas tree and fireplace for this rather titillating shoot, which Zhenhuan’s (now Zhen Xuan) girlfriend Sally Pan shared on IG along with a tribute to her baby daddy.

The caption, however, is super sweet: “I spent my first Christmas with you six years ago. In the blink of an eye, we’ve known each other for so long. I met you when I was 19 years old, and until now, you still spoil me like before. I will love you until we are old.” Aww…

Photo: Sally Pan/Instagram

Remember that star-studded gathering involving Yvonne, her husband Alex Tien, Ruby Lin, Wallace Huo, Vivian Hsu, and Vivian’s husband Sean Lee at Jam’s new Japanese restaurant? It turns out that Yvonne and Alex, who are believed to have paid the bill, were really lucky to be able to get a spot ‘cos she shared that the place is fully booked all the way until March next year. Looks like Jam really seems to have the Midas touch when it comes to his business ventures.

Photo: Yvonne Lim/Instagram

This post by Tosh certainly gave us a good chuckle. Here’s a translation of what he wrote: “Just now, I was paying for a bottle of red wine when the cashier auntie asked me, ‘Little brother, are you over 18? If not, you can’t buy this.’ I told her my age and she went ‘Huh!’ in shock.” He’s 31, by the way.

He continued: “After that, when I went to buy prawn noodles, the uncle kept calling me ‘handsome guy’. I didn’t want to acknowledge it at first but he kept calling me that, so I had no choice but to accept it or it might seem rude. All I can say is that the uncles and aunties near my house are very honest, but my friends said that they are old, so they are probably long-sighted.” Ha!

And rubbing salt into the wound was Tosh’s fellow Ah Boy, Noah Yap, who commented, “They are not long-sighted. They are blind.” Ah, what are friends for?

Photo: Tosh Zhang/Instagram

Although the comedic duo has shut down their popular YouTube channel, they remain close friends and recently went zipping through town in vintage Vespa sidecars (while taking some very cool shots along the way, natch). This totally makes us feel like booking a tour for ourselves.

Photos: Hirzi Zulkiflie/Instagram

Yup, he may not look like it, but the actor is no longer in his 30s after celebrating his birthday on Wednesday.

“I was told 40-50 will be the #bestdecade of my life, and I believe so,” he wrote on Instagram. “Glad I made it here, and I wish to be the happiest and brightest person I can ever be. I've now seen both sides of the coin (since I'm on the other side), and life has only just begun.”

Okay, but when’s he gonna drop all his anti-ageing secrets?

Photos: Elvin Ng/Instagram

Gone are the actor’s floppy, oppa-esque locks, which have been replaced by something that makes him look like he’s about to enlist in NS. The bold chop, by the way, was made for a new role, and like many of those in the comments have expressed, we have to say that Desmond still looks really good.

Photo: Desmond Tan/Instagram

Unfortunately, the singer and his wife were unable to move into their new home in time for Christmas this year, so Derrick constructed a virtual mock-up of the place — complete with a Christmas tree, of course — on The Sims to give his followers a sneak peek. Can’t wait for the full (real) house tour!

Photos: Derrick Hoh/Instagram

It looks like someone may be making space for a brand new ride. On Wednesday, Carrie paid tribute to her Mini Cooper, which she bought five years ago at the tender age of 21, which she is presumably selling.

“I laughed in her, cried in her, had my meals in her and took naps in her. She was my companion - good times and bad. And now, it’s time to say goodbye,” reads part of the actress’s lengthy and emotional caption. “People and things come and go in life. While nothing may be permanent, as long as we recognise their purpose and the lessons they teach us in life, they are worth remembering and experiencing.”

That’s pretty deep stuff for a car, but we guess anyone who has ever formed a bond with their vehicle can probably relate.

Photo: Carrie Wong/Instagram

After welcoming their second son Niall last month, the Class 95 jock and his wife Jayne Tham took their two boys and gathered for their first photoshoot as a family of four, and the photos are really lovely.

Photos: Jayne Tham/Instagram

After 10 months of being unable to perform on stage (y’know, ‘cos of COVID-19 and all), Nathan finally got his chance to rock out in front of a live audience at 24OWLS’ Flock — The Xmas Edition concert last Sunday (Dec 20)... only to realise that his zipper was down the entire time. “I guess that’s what happens after you do a thousand performances in front of your computer with no pants,” he wrote.

However, the self-deprecating singer was a fabulous sport about it and even dedicated two posts to his wardrobe malfunction, complete with very clear, close-up proof shots. Never change, Nathan.

Photos: Nathan Hartono/Instagram