| Native Name: | Astro新秀大賽 |
| Genre: | Singing Competition |
| Country: | Malaysia |
| Company: | Astro |
| Network: | Astro华丽台 Astro华丽台HD |
Astro Star Quest (Chinese: Astro新秀大賽), also formerly known as Astro Talent Quest is an annual Chinese singing competition in Malaysia organized by ASTRO Wah Lai Toi, which was first held in 1997. The first winner in 1997 was 刘燕燕 Crystal[1] and the most current winner in 2016 is 黄雯俐 Wengdyy. In 2017, it was replaced by the Singapore-Malaysia version of 決戰好聲 The Voice and has since been discontinued and entered history.
Due to the provisions of the competition contract, starting from 2005, the winner, 1st runner-up and 2nd runner-up will then represent Malaysia at the TVB全球华人新秀歌唱大賽 TVB International Chinese New Talent Singing Championship (from 1997 to 1999 and 2001, only the winner was sent to the competition. In 2000 and 2002 to 2004, the winner and 1st runner-up were sent out to the competition).
Astro Star Quest is one of the most popular Chinese singing competitions in Malaysia. In 2009, the organizers of the Astro Star Quest specially joined the "Creation Competition" for the first time. The "Best Original Song Award" not only realizes the dreams of emerging singers, but also discovers local emerging talents with creative talents, contributes to the promotion of local creations, and realizes the original dreams of local creators. "2009 Astro Star Quest Creative Group", the competition attracted nearly 2,000 submissions from all over Malaysia. After screening, the conference selected the top 5 talents to enter the top 10 competition of the Astro Star Quest. This second round of the Astro Star Quest successfully attracted public attention and response.
| Year | Winner[2] | 1st Runner-Up | 2nd Runner-Up | 4th Place | 5th Place | Other Awards | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 黄雯俐 Wengdyy | 周奕斌 Brian | 陈建宏 William | 尹景顺 Eugene | 余筱慧 Steve | Most Popularity Award: 周奕斌 Brian | |
| 2015 | 邱诗凌 Apple | 丹尼尔 Daniel | 徐夢葹 Debbie | 江卓权 Joesph | 黄裔媁 Jacqueline | Media Recommendation Award: 江卓权 JosephMY FM Most Popular Astro新秀 Single: 江卓权 Joseph《野子》 | |
| 2014 | 徐凱 Uriah | 許益凱 Sean | 李宜玲 Elaine | 陈静宜 Yuli | 彭世豪 Roe | My Favorite 新秀: 許益凱 SeanMY FM Across DJ Fully Recommendation Most Promising Astro新秀: 陈静宜 Yuli | |
| 2013 | 田育慈 Esther | 王郑浚仁 Rax | 吴宗翰 Justin | 文小菲 Amy | 黎桂金 Gean Lai | My Favorite 新秀: 吴宗翰 Justin | |
| 2012 | 赖淞凤 Nicole | 陈雪芬 Chanice | 叶美茜 Maxcy | 许艾文 Ivyn | 黄诗颖 Yyin | - | |
| 2011 | 颜慧萍 Geraldine | 赵洁莹 Jie Ying Tha | 周艺培 Miko | 黄立强 Licus | 林长金 Kim | My Favorite 新秀: 赵洁莹 Jie Ying Tha | |
| 2010 | 張詒博 Peace | 劉佩芯 Stephanie | 陳慧瑩 Fyone | 曾耀祖 Joe | 颜伟伦 Alvin | My Favorite 新秀: 陳慧瑩 Fyonne | |
| 2009 | 黄毓敏 Min | 劉界輝 Kah Fai | 曾潔鈺 Yoke | 涂富祖 Ryan | 钟瑾桦 Alvin | My Favorite 新秀: 劉界輝 Kah Fai | |
| 2008 | 颜莞倩 WanChean | 林淑晶 Debbie | 朱浩仁 Haoren（朱豪仁 Haoren) | 许佳麟 Danny | 张梦秦 Natalie | My Favorite 新秀: 朱浩仁 Haoren（朱豪仁 Haoren) | |
| 2007 | 李政发 Zax | 郑冰来 Wayne | 陈晓燕 Christy | 王翎蓓 Crystal | 傅健颖 Jyin Poh | MY FM Internet Popularity Award: 李政发 ZaxMy Favorite 新秀: 陈晓燕 Christy | |
| 2006 | 郑伟康 Anthony | 陳世安 Andrew | 许慧珊 Echo | 林智勇 | 董美玲 | My Favorite 新秀: 郑伟康 Anthony6th Place: 庄靖毅 Jym | |
| 2005 | 曾国珲 Tate (曾国辉 Tedd) | 刘洁琪 | Best Talent Award: 刘洁琪 | ||||
| 2004 | 吳國菲 Fayse | 王明麗 Amy | 叶咏鑫 | Best Talent Award: 黄俊雄 | |||
| 2003 | 吳建億 Kenny | 洪韵诗 | 陈贻兴 | Best Talent Award: 陈威全 VChuan | |||
| 2002 | 杨爱芳 | Best Talent Award: 叶朝明 Jack | |||||
| 2001 | 林健辉 Eric | 黄慧仪 | 陈志刚 | Best Talent Award: 陈玉芳 | |||
| 2000 | 何芸妮 Winnie | 林凯璇 | 利慧君 Vivian | Best Talent Award: 彭慧玲 | |||
| 1999 | 马嘉轩 Athena | 吴文聪 | 林忠彪 | Best Talent Award: 林忠彪 | |||
| 1998 | 黎升铭 Christopher | 陈雪兰 | 许文友 Thomas | Best Talent Award: 黎升铭 Christopher | |||
| 1997 | 刘燕燕 Crystal | 谢婉婷 Candy Cheah | 梁佑诚 Dylan |
Note 2: The original name in brackets is the winner’s original name at the time of the competition, which has been changed.
| Year | Winner | Award and Note | 1st Runner-Up | Award and Note | 2nd Runner-Up | Award and Note | 4th Place | Award and Note | 5th Place | Award and Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 黄雯俐 Wengdyy | - | 周奕斌 Brian | Gold Award | - | - | - | ||||
| 2015 | - | - | - | - | 黄裔媁 | Gold Award | |||||
| 2014 | 徐凱 Uriah See | Gold Award | - | 李宜玲 Elaine | - | - | - | ||||
| 2013 | [3] | - | 吴宗翰 Justin | Top 8 | 文小菲 | Top 8 | - | ||||
| 2012 | [4] | - | 叶美茜 Maxcy | Top 8 | - | - | |||||
| 2011 | [5] | 周艺培 Miko | Top 8 | 黄立强 | Top 8 | 林长金 | Top 8 | ||||
| 2010 | 1st Runner-Up | 劉佩芯 Stephanie | 3rd Runner-Up | 陳慧瑩 Fyone | 2nd Runner-Up | - | - | ||||
| 2009 | 黄毓敏 Min | Top 4 | 劉界輝 Kah Fai | Top 8 | 曾潔鈺 Yoke | Gold Award (Golden Microphone Award)Perfect Tone Award | - | - | |||
| 2008 | 颜莞倩 WanChean | Top 10 | 林淑晶 Debbie | Top 10 | 朱浩仁（朱豪仁） | - | - | - | |||
| 2007 | 李政发 Zax | Top 10 | 郑冰来 Wayne | - | 陈晓燕 Christy | Top 10Trendy Image Award | - | - | |||
| 2006 | 郑伟康 Anthony | SMS Popularity Award | 陳世安 Andrew | Gold Award (Golden Microphone Award) | 许慧珊 | - | - | - | |||
| 2005 | 曾国珲 Tate (曾国辉 Tedd) | Top 4 | Silver AwardPerfect Tone Award | 刘洁琪 | - | - | |||||
| 2004 | 吳國菲 Fayse | Silver Award | 王明麗 | Gold Award | - | - | - | ||||
| 2003 | 吳建億 Kenny | - | 洪韵诗 | - | - | - | - | ||||
| 2002 | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||
| 2001 | 林健辉 Eric | - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| 2000 | 何芸妮 Winnie | Bronze Award | 林凯璇 | Silver AwardBest Stage Performance Award Best Potential Newcomer Award | - | - | - | ||||
| 1999 | Silver Award | - | - | - | - | ||||||
| 1998 | 黎升铭 Christopher | - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| 1997 | 刘燕燕 Crystal | - | - | - | - | - |
| Year | Name | Activities Participated | Award and Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 尹景顺 | 2012 Chinese Million Star (Season 2) | Top 29 | |
| 周奕斌 Brian | 2008 Astro International Hua Hee Karaoke | Winner | ||
| 2015 | 黄裔媁 | 2009 Astro International Hua Hee Karaoke | 1st Runner-Up | |
| 2009 Global Hokkien Song Composition and Singing Competition | 8th Place (Global) | |||
| 2011 Oriental Goddess Teresa Teng Global Competition | Winner (Malaysia Region) | |||
| 江卓权 | 2014 POP STAR | 1st Runner-Up & SMS Most Popularity Award | ||
| 2015 Top Million Star (Taiwan Program) | Top 24 | |||
| 徐夢葹 Debbie | 2015 Top Million Star (Taiwan Program) | Top 50 | ||
| 邱诗凌 Apple | 2008 Project Superstar (Malaysia) Season 3 | Top 24 | ||
| 2014 The Ultimate Song | 6th Place | |||
| 2015 Top Million Star (Taiwan Program) | 5th Place | |||
| 2014 | 陈静宜 | 2011 Patriotic Song Singing Competition Inter Universities | Winner & Best Vocalist Award | |
| 2015 Top Million Star (Taiwan Program) | Top 50 | |||
| 許益凱 Sean | 2015 Top Million Star (Taiwan Program) | Top 50 | ||
| 徐凱 Uriah | 2009 Opera Competition (Sim Cup) under 15 age | Winner | ||
| 2010 Opera Competition (Sim Cup) under 15 age | Winner | |||
| 2013 | 黎桂金 | 2013 Chinese Million Star (Season 3) | Top 16 | |
| 文小菲 | 2011 Ultimate Power Star | 2nd Runner-Up | ||
| 2013 Chinese Million Star (Season 3) | Top 32 | |||
| 2014 Chinese Idol (Season 2) | Top 30 | |||
| 吴宗翰 Justin | 2011 Pop Star 2011 | 1st Runner-Up | ||
| 2013 Chinese Million Star (Season 3) | Top 25 | |||
| 王郑浚仁 Rax | 2009 Pop Star 2009 | Winner | ||
| 2013 Chinese Million Star (Season 3) | 7th Place | |||
| 田育慈 Esther | 2013 Chinese Million Star (Season 3) | 6th Place | ||
| 2012 | 黄诗颖 | 2011 Pop Star 2011 | 3rd Runner-Up | |
| 2012 Chinese Million Star (Season 2) | Top 18 | |||
| 许艾文 | 2012 Chinese Million Star (Season 2) | 8th Place | ||
| 叶美茜 Maxcy | 2012 Chinese Million Star (Season 2) | Top 66 | ||
| 陈雪芬 Chanice | 2011 Global Hokkien Song Composition and Singing Competition | Top 10 | ||
| 2012 Chinese Million Star (Season 2) | 5th Place | |||
| 赖淞凤 Nicole | 2008 Project Superstar (Malaysia) Season 3 | Female's Team 1st Runner-up | ||
| 2012 Chinese Million Star (Season 2) | 2nd Runner-up & Most Popular Award | |||
| 2011 | 林长金 | 2011 Chinese Million Star (Season 1) | Top 40 | |
| 黄立强 | 2011 Chinese Million Star (Season 1) | Top 19 | ||
| 周艺培 Miko | 2011 Chinese Million Star (Season 1) | Top 20 | ||
| 赵洁莹 Jie Ying Tha | 2011 Chinese Million Star (Season 1) | 2nd Runner-up & Most Popular Award | ||
| 颜慧萍 Geraldine | 2011 Chinese Million Star (Season 1) | 5th Place | ||
| 2008 | 李佳薇 Jess | 2011 One Million Star (Season 7) | Winner | |
| 傅健颖 | 2004 Who Will Win THE MALAYSIAN TOPSTAR | 2nd Runner-Up | ||
| 2007 | 王翎蓓 | 2011 Chinese Million Star (Season 1) | Top 10 | |
| 2005 | 符琼音 Meeia | 2009 Super Idol (Season 2) | 1st Runner-Up | |
| 曾国珲 Tate (曾国辉 Tedd) | 2023 Astro Classic Golden Melodies 2023 | Winner | ||
| 2004 | 许亮宇(许俾文) Henley | 2007 Project Superstar (Malaysia) Season 2 | WinnerMale's Team Winner | |
| 2003 | 郑综宪 | 2012 Astro International Hua Hee Karaoke | 2nd Runner-Up | |
| 2017 Hua Hee Mega Stars | Winner | |||
| 2021 Astro Classic Golden Melodies 2021 | Winner | |||
| 洪韵诗 | 2004 Who Will Win THE MALAYSIAN TOPSTAR | Winner | ||
| 2002 | 叶朝明 | 2007 Project Superstar (Malaysia) Season 2 | Top 8 | |
| 2001 | 尤诗君 | 2011 Chinese Million Star (Season 1) | 100 People Primary Selection | |
| 2000 | 利慧君 | 2018 Astro Classic Golden Melodies 2018 | Top 8 National (Integrated) | |
| 1999 | 李玉钦 Grace | 2011 Global Hokkien Song Composition and Singing Competition | Winner | |
| 2017 The Voice (Season 1) | Blind Audition | |||
| 2019 Astro Classic Golden Melodies 2019 | Winner | |||
| 1998 | 吳國豪 | 2016 Astro Classic Golden Melodies 2016 | Final Top 8 |
While many talents have been birthed through this competition, it also boasts of many contestants who have gone on to become successful artistes in their own path.
Notable abroadexamples would be Gary Chaw (1999 Finalist), Nicholas Teo (2002 Winner), 陈威全 VChuan Chen (2003 Finalist), Andrew Tan (2006 1st Runner-Up), Jess Lee (2008 Contestant) and 張詒博 Peace (2010 Winner).
Notable local (Malaysia) examples would be Eric Lim (2001 Winner), 朱浩仁（朱豪仁) (2008 2nd Runner-Up) 许佳麟 Danny (2008 Top 5), 曾潔鈺 Yoke (2009 2nd Runner-Up), 颜慧萍 Geraldine (Winner 2011) and 赖淞凤 Nicole (Winner 2012).
Notable local (Malaysia) that crossed to other languages entertainment industry examples would be Vincent Chong (2002 1st Runner-Up), 许亮宇 Henley Hii (2004 Contestant) and 钟瑾桦 Alvin Chong (2009 Top 5).
Notable local (Malaysia) radio DJs that were or currently still are examples would be 叶朝明 Jack Yap (2002 Finalist), 庄靖毅 Jym Chong (2006 Finalist), 曾耀祖 Joe Chang (2010 Top 5) and Jie Ying Tha (2011 1st Runner-Up).
This competition is aimed at showcasing and unearthing talents among young Malaysian between ages 18 to 28 (age upper limit varies over the years) who are able to converse in Mandarin or Cantonese.
The competition started with audition where it is also open to all former finalists of Astro Talent Quest & Astro Star Quest (except former winners). The contestant must not be a recording artiste where he/she has released or in the process of releasing any solo and/or group album after the age of 12 years; or has intention to release a solo and/or group album within six months from the date of the finals of the contest;
For the first round of audition,
(Requirements differs over the years)
The contestant has to sing a song in any language or any Chinese dialects with a minimum duration of 90 seconds recorded into a video clip format for competition entry.
OR
The Contestant must sing from a selection of Chinese/Mandarin pop songs. The contestants have to perform a song with no instrumental accompaniment.
Selected contestants will enter the second round audition.
For the second round of audition, the contestant then must prepare his/her own CD/VCD/DVD minus one version containing the selected songs (one fast and one slow number) to be performed and will be judged before qualifying for the next round of competition. The contestants are required to use their own costumes and make-up as well.
In the initial format, the final ten contestants are selected by judges who will battle it out for the title on one night performing one song and a talent time performance each. The top three will then be chosen by a panel of judges, where after they would be subjected to a series of tests which assesses various aspects of their vocal and singing ability, such as vocal range, musical timing, vocal flexibility to adapt to different music styles, etc. The judges then determine the winner, first runner-up and second runner-up. The talent time performance was eliminated as of year 2005.
As of 2006, with the change of name from Astro Talent Quest to Astro Star Quest a new format was introduced whereby all contestants would go through vocal, body gesture, hosting, speech management and dance trainings in addition to other challenges along the way to reach the finals with 6 contestants. The following year in 2007 onward, the finals narrowed to 5 contestants instead. Although SMS voting was introduced (for the popularity award), the judges still held absolute decision in the contestants' fate.
From year 2008 onward, the contestants were facing more challenges with the introduction of a "Player Kill" (PK) session among the contestants, with past winners, secondary school students or stars.
In 2011 onward, Astro collaborated with CTV (China Television Company, Ltd) where top 5 finalist will then represent Malaysia at the 華人星光大道 Chinese Million Star. Contestants were sponsored for their flight ticket to Taiwan.
The competition reaches its 20th anniversary in 2016 with the Final happening in the New Year's Eve on 31 December 2016 at Desa Park City.[6] This particular year, the contestants were required to produce MTV as one of the competition segments. In the MTV production, the contestants were obligated to cover the selected songs with new improvisation (music arrangement improvisation) and different interpretation, with an aim in their unique portrayal as a new artist.
Guest judges and artistes are invited every year including Eric Moo, Wang LeeHom, Jay Chou, Jordan Chan, Tension, F.I.R., JJ Lin, S.H.E, Rynn Lim, Janice Vidal and Yoga Lin.
The competition also judged by some renowned music industry personalities namely 李伟菘 Lee Wei Shiong from Singapore and Malaysian music producer Alex San.
| Year | Artist | |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Past Winners | |
| 2015 | ||
| 2014 | ||
| 2013 | ||
| 2012 | ||
| 2011 | ||
| 2010 | Yoga Lin | |
| 2009 | Janice Vidal | |
| 2008 | Zax Lee, Eric Lim | |
| 2007 | S.H.E, Rynn Lim, Kenny Koh, Andrew Tan | |
| 2006 | Kenny Koh, Nicholas Teo, Eric Lim | |
| 2005 | ||
| 2004 | F.I.R, JJ Lin, Kenny Koh | |
| 2003 | Tension, Nicholas Teo, Z-Chen | |
| 2002 | Jordan Chan, Eric Lim | |
| 2001 | Jay Chou | |
| 2000 | 熊天平 Panda Hsiung, Chi Hsiao Chun, Island | |
| 1999 | Wang LeeHom | |
| 1998 | ||
| 1997 | Eric Moo |