Astro Star Quest (Chinese: Astro新秀崛起吧), also formerly known as Astro Talent Quest and 新秀大赛 is an annual Chinese singing competition in Malaysia organized by Astro Wah Lai Toi and later Astro AEC, which was first held in 1997. The first winner in 1997 was 刘燕燕 Crystal1997年称为《全球华人新秀歌唱大赛（马来西亚选拔赛)》 and the most current winner in 2016 is 黄雯俐 Wengdyy. In 2017, it was temporary replaced by the Singapore-Malaysia version of 決戰好聲 The Voice and has since been went hiatus until 2025.
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.
Previous Award Winning Contestants YearWinner1st Runner-Up2nd Runner-Up4th Place5th PlaceOther Awards2016 黄雯俐 Wengdyy 周奕斌 Brian 陈建宏 William尹景顺 Eugene余筱慧 SteveMost Popularity Award: 周奕斌 Brian2015 邱诗凌 Apple 丹尼尔 Daniel 徐梦葹 Debbie江卓权 Joesph黄裔媁 JacquelineMedia Recommendation Award: 江卓权 Joseph MY 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 RoeMy Favorite 新秀: 许益凯 Sean MY FM Across DJ Fully Recommendation Most Promising Astro新秀: 陈静宜 Yuli2013田育慈 Esther 王郑浚仁 Rax 吴宗翰 Justin文小菲 Amy黎桂金 Gean LaiMy Favorite 新秀: 吴宗翰 Justin2012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 周艺培 Miko黄立强 Licus林长金 KimMy Favorite 新秀: 赵洁莹 Jie Ying2010张诒博 Peace 刘佩芯 Stephanie 陈慧莹 Fyone曾耀祖 Joe颜伟伦 AlvinMy Favorite 新秀: 陈慧莹 Fyonne2009黄毓敏 Min 刘界辉 Kah Fai / Juztin 曾洁钰 Yoke涂富祖 Ryan钟瑾桦 AlvinMy Favorite 新秀: 刘界辉 Kah Fai / Juztin2008颜莞倩 WanChean 林淑晶 Debbie 朱浩仁 Haoren许佳麟 Danny张梦秦 NatalieMy Favorite 新秀: 朱浩仁 Haoren2007李政发 Zax 郑冰来 Wayne 陈晓燕 Christy王翎蓓 Crystal傅健颖 Jyin PohMY FM Internet Popularity Award: 李政发 Zax My Favorite 新秀: 陈晓燕 Christy2006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 Anthony 6th Place: 庄靖毅 Jym2005曾国辉 Tedd 符琼音 Meeia 刘洁琪Best Talent Award: 刘洁琪2004吴国菲 Fayse 王明丽 Amy 叶咏鑫Best Talent Award: 黄俊雄2003吴建亿 Kenny 洪韵诗 陈贻兴Best Talent Award: 陈威全 VChuan2002张栋梁 Nicholas 张英胜 Vincent 杨爱芳Best Talent Award: 叶朝明 Jack2001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 VivianBest Talent Award: 彭慧玲1999李玉钦 Grace 马嘉轩 Athena吴文聪林忠彪 TPBest Talent Award: 林忠彪 TP1998黎升铭 Christopher陈雪兰许文友 ThomasBest Talent Award: 黎升铭 Christopher1997刘燕燕 Crystal谢婉婷 Candy Cheah梁佑诚 Dylan Note 1: There were 10 contestants in the finals from 1997 to 2005, the competition format was changed in 2006 with 6 in the finals, and 5 in the finals from 2007 to 2016.
Note 2: ( )The original name in brackets is the winner’s original name at the time of the competition, which has been changed.
TVB International Chinese New Talent Singing Championship Record (Astro新秀) YearWinnerAward and Note1st Runner-UpAward and Note2nd Runner-UpAward and Note4th PlaceAward and Note5th PlaceAward and Note2016 黄雯俐 Wengdyy - 周奕斌 Brian Gold Award - - -2015 - - - -黄裔媁Gold Award2014 徐凱 Uriah SeeGold Award - 李宜玲 Elaine - - -20132013年冠军田育慈和亚军王郑浚仁由于正在台湾参加第三届华人星光大道，所以无法代表出赛 - 吴宗翰 JustinTop 8文小菲Top 8 -20122012年冠军赖淞凤和亚军陈雪芬由于正在台湾参加第二届华人星光大道，所以无法代表出赛 - 叶美茜 MaxcyTop 8 - -20112011年冠军颜慧萍和亚军赵洁莹由于正在台湾参加第一届华人星光大道，所以无法代表出赛 周艺培 MikoTop 8黄立强Top 8林长金Top 82010張詒博 Peace 1st Runner-Up 劉佩芯 Stephanie 3rd Runner-Up陳慧瑩 Fyone2nd Runner-Up - -2009黄毓敏 Min Top 4 劉界輝 Kah Fai Top 8 曾潔鈺 YokeGold 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 ChristyTop 10 Trendy Image Award - -2006郑伟康 AnthonySMS Popularity Award 陳世安 AndrewGold Award (Golden Microphone Award) 许慧珊 - - -2005曾国珲 Tate (曾国辉 Tedd)Top 4 符琼音 Meeia Silver Award Perfect Tone Award 刘洁琪 - -2004吳國菲 FayseSilver Award 王明麗 Gold Award - - -2003吳建億 Kenny - 洪韵诗 - - - -2002张栋梁 Nicholas - 张英胜 Vincent - - - -2001林健辉 Eric - - - - -2000何芸妮 WinnieBronze Award 林凯璇Silver Award Best Stage Performance Award Best Potential Newcomer Award - - -1999李玉钦 Grace Silver Award - ---1998黎升铭 Christopher -- ---1997刘燕燕 Crystal -----
Other contestants/Other activities YearNameActivities ParticipatedAward and Note2016尹景顺 2012 Chinese Million Star (Season 2)Top 29周奕斌 Brian2008 Astro International Hua Hee KaraokeWinner2015黄裔媁2009 Astro International Hua Hee Karaoke1st Runner-Up2009 Global Hokkien Song Composition and Singing Competition8th Place (Global)2011 Oriental Goddess Teresa Teng Global CompetitionWinner (Malaysia Region)江卓权2014 POP STAR1st Runner-Up & SMS Most Popularity Award2015 Top Million Star (Taiwan Program)Top 24徐夢葹 Debbie2015 Top Million Star (Taiwan Program)Top 50邱诗凌 Apple2008 Project Superstar (Malaysia) Season 3Top 242014 The Ultimate Song6th Place2015 Top Million Star (Taiwan Program)5th Place2014陈静宜2011 Patriotic Song Singing Competition Inter UniversitiesWinner & Best Vocalist Award2015 Top Million Star (Taiwan Program)Top 50許益凱 Sean2015 Top Million Star (Taiwan Program)Top 50徐凱 Uriah2009 Opera Competition (Sim Cup) under 15 ageWinner2010 Opera Competition (Sim Cup) under 15 ageWinner2013黎桂金2013 Chinese Million Star (Season 3)Top 16文小菲2011 Ultimate Power Star2nd Runner-Up2013 Chinese Million Star (Season 3)Top 322014 Chinese Idol (Season 2)Top 30吴宗翰 Justin2011 Pop Star 20111st Runner-Up2013 Chinese Million Star (Season 3)Top 25王郑浚仁 Rax2009 Pop Star 2009Winner2013 Chinese Million Star (Season 3)7th Place田育慈 Esther2013 Chinese Million Star (Season 3)6th Place2012黄诗颖2011 Pop Star 20113rd Runner-Up2012 Chinese Million Star (Season 2)Top 18许艾文2012 Chinese Million Star (Season 2)8th Place叶美茜 Maxcy2012 Chinese Million Star (Season 2)Top 66陈雪芬 Chanice2011 Global Hokkien Song Composition and Singing CompetitionTop 102012 Chinese Million Star (Season 2)5th Place赖淞凤 Nicole2008 Project Superstar (Malaysia) Season 3Female's Team 1st Runner-up2012 Chinese Million Star (Season 2)2nd Runner-up & Most Popular Award2011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 Miko2011 Chinese Million Star (Season 1)Top 20赵洁莹 Jie Ying Tha2011 Chinese Million Star (Season 1)2nd Runner-up & Most Popular Award颜慧萍 Geraldine2011 Chinese Million Star (Season 1)5th Place2008李佳薇 Jess2011 One Million Star (Season 7)Winner傅健颖2004 Who Will Win THE MALAYSIAN TOPSTAR2nd Runner-Up2007王翎蓓2011 Chinese Million Star (Season 1)Top 102005符琼音 Meeia2009 Super Idol (Season 2)1st Runner-Up曾国珲 Tate (曾国辉 Tedd)2023 Astro Classic Golden Melodies 2023Winner2004许亮宇 (许俾文) Henley2007 Project Superstar (Malaysia) Season 2Winner Male's Team Winner2003郑综宪2012 Astro International Hua Hee Karaoke2nd Runner-Up2017 Hua Hee Mega StarsWinner2021 Astro Classic Golden Melodies 2021Winner洪韵诗2004 Who Will Win THE MALAYSIAN TOPSTARWinner2002叶朝明2007 Project Superstar (Malaysia) Season 2Top 82001尤诗君2011 Chinese Million Star (Season 1)100 People Primary Selection2000利慧君2018 Astro Classic Golden Melodies 2018Top 8 National (Integrated)1999李玉钦 Grace2011 Global Hokkien Song Composition and Singing CompetitionWinner2017 The Voice (Season 1)Blind Audition2019 Astro Classic Golden Melodies 2019Winner1998吳國豪2016 Astro Classic Golden Melodies 2016Final Top 8 Note 1: Astro collaborated with the most prominent in the world of Chinese music One Million Star. Starting from 2011, the top five contestants will be directly advanced to Taiwan's Chinese Million Star 100-person preliminary round
Notable Contestants While many talents have been shown through this competition, it also has many contestants who have gone on to become successful artists in their own right.
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).
Competition Requirements 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.
Competition Format 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.