Style Evolution: Jesseca Liu

Jesseca Liu, who turns 43 today (Feb 13), first caught our eye when she stripped down to her bikini for her first Singapore drama The Champion in 2004. Once criticised for her dowdy dressing, the Langkawi lass has risen to become one of Mediacorp’s princesses and a regular on our best-dressed list. Whether she's playing a character or simply being herself, Jesseca sure knows how to make an impression with her wardrobe. Here’s a look back at her style evolution — onscreen and offscreen — through the years.

2005

Before she was "The Queen", Jesseca was just another low-key girl next door, babydoll top, blue jeans, and all.

 

Star Awards 2005

But perhaps Jesseca’s satin nightie and frizzy mop were indicative of a hidden wild side.

 

Women of the Times (2006)

Back to the sweet look for Women of the Times. Apparently, we weren’t the only ones who thought crimped hair was cool.

 

Women of the Times press conference (2006)

Ah, 2006, when shaggy layers were as ubiquitous as granny hair is today. Remember how much of a nightmare it was to flatten flyaways? We’re never getting this haircut again, and we doubt that Jesseca will either.

 

Beach.Ball.Babes (2008)

Jesseca may have been exempted from the iconic bikini run on The Champion, but the lanky actress, together with Joanne Peh and Jade Seah, did their own version of the run in Beach.Ball.Babes when they stripped down to their two-pieces and ran around Tiong Bahru market as part of a forfeit. 

Falling in Love (2007)

We’re so used to seeing Jesseca with her long flowy tresses that we forgot she once rocked a pixie cut....

 

Falling in Love press conference (2007)

...and uh, fell victim to this lilac potato sack of a dress. It’s okay, Jesseca, we’ve all been there, worn that.

 

Mars vs. Venus (2007)

Jesseca, who sticks to simple hairstyles nowadays, is practically unrecognisable with her choppy fringe and stringy ‘do.

 

Star Awards 2007 Show 1

Kohl-rimmed eyes, ruddy cheeks, wispy bangs, rhinestones, satin prom dress — yup, this outfit is a straight-up time capsule to 2007.

 

The Dream Catchers press conference (2009)

Shirtdresses never go out of style, so chunky belt aside, this may be an outfit worth resurrecting.

 

Star Awards 2009

Unlike the Jesseca we know today, the Jesseca of yesteryear had no problem wearing bright colours on the red carpet.

 

Fann Wong and Christopher Lee’s wedding dinner (2011)

Jesseca's outfit is surprisingly chill, given the occasion.

 

Lost and Found press conference (2010)

We can’t be the only ones who completely forgot about the short-lived bubble shorts trend, which flattered only those with legs as long as Jesseca’s (if you’ve got it, flaunt it).

 

Star Awards 2010

Another one-shouldered gown? At least lilac isn’t as hard on the eyes as bright pink or yellow, marking Jesseca's foray into a more subdued colour palette.

 

Star Awards 2011 Show 1

Jesseca did a 180 style-wise the following year, opting for a simple black gown and wet hair.

 

 

Louis Vuitton Island Maison gala opening (2011)

Jesseca stayed true to 2011’s style trends by showing off bold hues, colourblocking, and er, an Ali Baba-worthy balloon jumpsuit? We'll give her points for deviating from her usual look.

 

Yours Fatefully (2012)

Yeah, yeah, this isn’t a “hot or not”, but we can’t help ourselves: Jesseca is about as delicious as the lattice pie crust she’s wearing.

 

Star Awards 2012 Show 1

After years of showing up to the Star Awards dressed in wedding dinner gowns, Jesseca finally stepped it up with a Louis Vuitton laser cut organza dress.

 

Star Awards 2013 Show 2

Jesseca might have walked away empty-handed that year, but who needs a Star Awards trophy when you look like an Oscar statuette?

 

Blessings press conference (2014)

Jesseca was equal parts sexy and sweet in her chic crop top and floral maxi skirt.

Mediacorp New Campus opening (2015)

If Jesseca was going for a chic Morticia Addams look with her icy-yet-sultry gaze and black Stella McCartney gown, she totally nailed it.

 

Star Awards 2016 Part 1

True to her character in The Queen, Jesseca evoked confidence and strength in her Tony Ward Couture gown.

 

Star Awards 2016 Part 2

After channelling her inner warrior princess at Star Awards 2016 Part 1, Jesseca showed off her softer side in an elegant Bulgari gown.

 

Hero press conference (2016)

Jesseca's all-black ensemble is anything but boring, thanks to her brocade skirt, and lattice and cold shoulder details on her top.

 

Star Awards 2017

Jesseca stole the show in an embellished white gown from Berta Bridal. (In retrospect, a portend of things to come.)

 

Star Awards 2017

As if her previous gown weren't stunning enough, Jesseca had to accept her Top 10 Most Popular Female Artistes Award in this sparkly "naked" dress from Zuhair Murad.

 

Wedding day (2017)

Jesseca tied the knot in a bare-shouldered gown from Galia Lahav, carried by Singapore boutique The Proposal.

Photo: Alvin Choon & Yukee Ong

 

Wedding day (2017)

Jesseca looked all loved-up (and matchy-matchy!) with hubby Jeremy Chan in a bespoke red cheongsam.

Photo: Alvin Choon & Yukee Ong

 

Babies on Board press conference (2018)

Jesseca’s confectionery-like tiered white gown just needs some icing to really look like a wedding cake – in the best way possible of course.

 

When Ghost Meets Zombie press conference (2018)

Jesseca looked tres chic in a belted trench coat and pin-straight hair at the When Ghost Meets Zombie press conference, with Jeremy suited up in “oppa style” in a similar shade of grey. Two thumbs up for couple wear.

 

When Ghost Meets Zombie press conference (2018)

Jesseca traded her usual frocks for a power suit for the press conference of her movie When Ghost Meets Zombie. We like!

 

2019 Asia Rainbow TV Awards

Jesseca took the dress code a little too literally when she attended the Asia Rainbow TV Awards in Sanya in a frilly and princess-y rainbow dress. But we'll forgive her because she looked ethereal like a unicorn princess.

 

Star Awards 2019

Jesseca kept her red carpet look classic and classy in this floor-sweeping black gown with an equally long cape, and side swept hair. One word: Chic!

 

2019

We're pretty sure this photo of Jesseca looking pin-up pretty in a sexy floral swimsuit sent hearts aflutter.

 

2019

Jesseca and Jeremy sure love couple wear. And they look super cute in these fun slogan tees from Sanity Coffee.

 

2020

Jesseca showed off her effortlessly chic off-duty style during a trip to Chiang Mai. Love the flash of the midriff.

 

2020

Red is a colour that exudes passion and it commands attention. Which is why we're shooting heart eyes at Jesseca's scarlet short suit (and those legs).

 

2020

Perhaps it’s her good genes, or maybe she has a super stylist on speed dial, whatever Jesseca wears, she always looks like a goddess. Even the simplest of outfits, such as this black sheer dress.

 

2020

Jesseca looks so stunning in this emerald green frock, we're willing to overlook those chunky slippers.

 

2020

We think it's safe to say Jesseca's a fan of tulle. And we can't take our eyes off her in this halter confection that's romantic and flirty at the same time.

 

Louis Vuitton fashion show (2021)

Part sporty and part sexy, this Louis Vuitton bomber jacket-inspired dress on Jesseca shined the spotlight on the actress’ modelesque stature.

 

Star Awards 2021

Someone mentioned that Jesseca's gown from Italian designer Gretel Z looks like a stainless steel sponge and now we cannot unsee it.

 

2021

"I can’t adult today, take me to Disney," Jesseca captioned this photo, along with the hashtag "becoming a princess for a day". Well, she sure looked the part in this peach confection from Emporio Armani. All she's missing is a tiara.

 

The Takedown press conference

Jesseca, who plays a tough CNB officer in The Takedown, swapped her usual feminine style for a more gender neutral getup by Louis Vuitton for the drama's press con. She offset the tough-looking appeal of her ensemble with goddess-worthy waves.

 

Asian Academy Creative Awards 2021

Jesseca was flawless as always when she presented the Best Supporting Actor award with hubby Jeremy Chan at the Asian Academy Creative Awards.

 

2022

Our first reaction when we saw this pic was: "Too much pink!" But you can't deny that Jesseca pulled off the cutesy look with aplomb.