IS Jeanette Aw the reason that MediaCorp TV suddenly pushed its annual Star Awards to March next year?

The Little Nyonya - helmed by the actress, who plays dual roles - would have missed the Awards if it was held this year.

When the news was announced in June, there was speculation that the date change - made after 14 years of Star Awards - was to boost Jeanette's chances of securing a best actress award.

Jeanette told The New Paper: 'Yes, I've heard that speculation but seriously, I don't find that is possible. I really don't think an event of this scale can be put on hold just because of one artiste.'

Mr Paul Chan, MediaCorp's vice-president for network branding and promotions, told reporters earlier: 'With the change, drama and variety shows shown during year-end will be able to qualify for the Star Awards in March if more than five episodes are aired by the end of December.'

That would make the awards 'more significant'.

In the 30-episode The Little Nonya, Jeanette plays both mother Huang Juxiang and daughter Yue Niang. It is her most challenging acting so far.

'I had to remember which role I was filming for,' she said. 'And it's not easy to play Juxiang, who is a deaf-mute. I had to learn to use sign language and I had to use my eyes and body language to convey the character's feelings.'

It was good too that she was kept busy right after she took on the role, said Jeanette.

She said: 'I told myself that I had to push myself forward and not get too bothered by the negative talk.

'I just sorted out my thoughts and concentrated on giving my best.'

The show was also a chance for Jeannette to revisit and appreciate her cultural roots.

Her late paternal grandparents were Peranakans.

She said: 'But my dad's never been too fussy with keeping the tradition.'

This article was first published in The New Paper on Nov 4, 2008.