When you pair two of Singapore’s brightest young stars, sparks will fly. As ELLE cover girls and besties, Tasha Low and Chantalle Ng bring endless laughter and electric energy to our pages—be it in their enduring friendship or their star turn in Mediacorp’s buzzworthy Mandarin drama, Emerald Hill.

Slated for concurrent release on 17 March on meWATCH and Netflix, Emerald Hill serves as a star-studded follow-up to The Little Nyonya (2008), transporting audiences at least three decades into the future with a refreshed cast and riveting new plotline. The original series, which aired between 2008 and 2009, is a Singaporean period drama that chronicles the lives of several generations of Peranakan women in ‘30s Malaya. The series explores themes of love, sacrifice, and identity while showcasing the rich traditions and struggles of the Peranakan community.

Without giving away too much, Emerald Hill tells a powerful story of women finding their strength, with gripping plot twists to keep you at the edge of your seats. Tasha, 31, steps into the role of a virtuous, kind-hearted heroine, bringing her measured poise and polish to a character destined to be the moral compass of this intricate family saga. In contrast, Chantalle, 29, embodies the cunning mean girl role with her natural vivacity and bold personality.

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When Tasha strides into the studio, she exudes a quiet, almost serene energy. Her understated confidence is the kind that draws attention without having to ask for it. Not long after, Chantalle bursts in, her laughter preceding her. She’s bubbly, animated, and magnetic (even while talking to me with her face mask on). Together, they strike a perfect balance, their contrasting personalities creating a magnetic energy that carries over into the photoshoot. Between outfit changes and hair touch-ups, the set is alive with their laughter—squabbling good-naturedly over a game of “scissors, paper, stone” on who gets to lie down upright for the cover shot.

The pair were first acquainted on the set of Live Your Dreams (2021) and instantly hit it off from there. “I love everything about Chantalle. She is witty, kind, and incredibly goal-driven. I love that she has a soft spot for animals,” Tasha shares.

Though from vastly different backgrounds—Tasha hails from a ballroom dancing family and was the leader of the now-defunct K-pop girl group Skarf, while Chantalle comes from acting pedigree, being the daughter of actress Lin Meijiao and father Huang Yiliang—they’ve found common ground in their shared ambition, and love for chilling at home in their pyjamas.

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Just to give you a sense of how cosmically intertwined these girls are: I interviewed them separately, but most of their answers came out identical. For example, when I asked which historical figure they would invite over for dinner and what they would serve, they both answered “Lee Kuan Yew” and “ayam buah keluak”.

And don’t let their ultra-glam social media feeds fool you: Both Tasha and Chantalle are loud and proud under-dressers. Preferring to don baggy sweatpants and T-shirts—“This is us making an effort to dress up,” Chantalle tells me—the girls are switching out their drab outfits today for chic ready-to-wear pieces from Burberry, Chanel, Miu Miu, and Prada cruise 2025 collections. “We’re not the most fashionable pair, but we really enjoy being surrounded by creative people at photoshoots; they’re all very vibey,” remarks Chantalle. “I think just being able to be with Chantalle on the cover is an iconic fashion moment for me,” chimes Tasha. “I have a lot of fun working on photoshoots; we both come on set very excited.”

Whether portraying fierce rivals on screen or sharing genuine camaraderie off it, Tasha and Chantalle are redefining what it means to be Singapore’s next-gen stars. With their magnetic energy, boundless ambition, and undeniable connection, they are lighting up Emerald Hill and beyond.

CHANTALLE NG: THE ETERNAL OPTIMIST

Although Lin Meijiao had a sizeable role in The Little Nyonya, that didn’t automatically open doors for daughter, Chantalle, when Emerald Hill came around. “It’s a big production, and because of its popularity 16 years ago, every actor wanted a role in it. Almost the whole of Singapore auditioned,” recalls Chantalle. “We went through acting classes with Yeo Yann Yann to improve our chances, and it paid off.” 

Playing Anna, a sharp and scheming young woman navigating a Peranakan patriarchy, Chantalle explores themes of love, power, and marginalisation. “She’s a mean girl for a reason,” she insists. “She lacks parental love and is fighting for a place in a family that undervalues her.” 

Chantalle admits that she enjoyed playing her villainous role, maybe a little too much. “My mum was very excited for me, but then her main concern was that she didn’t want me to bring the character home,” she laughs. “I am so appreciative that this role came when it did because I was playing the same bubbly character over and over, and I had nothing left to give. When this landed in my lap, I felt revived and renewed.”

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Chantalle’s personal connection to Peranakan culture through her paternal grandmother enriched her portrayal of Anna. Adjusting to cultural practices, like eating with her hands, posed unique challenges. “I found it uncomfortable to push food into my mouth with my fingers. We had consultants on set to teach us how to do it properly,” she says.

Off-screen, Chantalle is a firm believer in manifestation. “People call us the ‘delulu pair,’” she shares laughingly, recalling the time they went for a guided meditation workshop in Jeju. “We may not write down our intentions, but we say positive affirmations and believe that the best is coming for us!” Don’t knock it until you try it. Manifestation has already brought her dream collaborations, like working with actor Xie Shaoguang (who came out of retirement) in Last Hurrah, which starts production in February.

For Lunar New Year, Chantalle plans to relax at home with her mum, or join Tasha’s family for hotpot, beer, and some gambling. “We limit our gambling to only Chinese New Year. They don’t call us Dai Di queens for nothing,” she laughs. “It’s the only time we are social.”

As Emerald Hill approaches its debut, Chantalle is savouring the moment while setting her sights on new horizons. “I want to try a musical. I love singing and even comedy—what’s the worst that could happen?” she says with a grin. From manifesting dream roles to summoning her inner baddie, Chantalle’s journey is one of resilience and growth. With her best friend by her side, her brightest days are undoubtedly ahead.

TASHA LOW: THE QUIET FORCE

“I was a The Little Nyonya fan before this; I’ve watched it many times,” Tasha shares, her voice tinged with nostalgia. Stepping into a sequel of such an iconic series comes with its pressures, but she approaches it with humility and enthusiasm. To prepare, she sought guidance from original cast members such as Jeanette Aw and Chantalle’s mother, Meijiao, who played the maniacal matriarch in the original series. “She gives me a lot of advice in general but also valuable acting tips,” she says.

Tasha’s personal connection to Peranakan culture adds authenticity to her role—she tells us that she is one-eighth Peranakan. “Every Chinese New Year, we cook ayam buah keluak,” she says. Still, the role demanded deeper immersion, which included visits to the Peranakan Museum and cooking classes. “We learnt to make bak chang from scratch. It was new to me but so much fun,” she recalls.

One of the challenges of the role wasn’t so much that she had to do retakes (don’t they all?), but that she had to dig deep emotionally in some of the more intense scenes. “A lot of personal growth happens in the show’s five-year timeframe,” she says. “We didn’t film chronologically, so managing that emotional arc was tough.”

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While her on-screen role was demanding, the off-screen camaraderie with co-stars such as Zoe Tay (who plays the now matriarch) and Jesseca Liu (who plays her adopted mother) was invaluable. Tasha also drew parallels between her character’s journey and her own. “When I was 17, I moved to Korea to train as a K-pop idol. That spirit of fearlessly pursuing dreams is something I share with my character,” she reflects. “I miss being able to wake up every day, and just train and hone your craft. I think that experience and discipline have helped me a lot in my career.”

Despite her poised public image, Tasha is naturally introverted with few close friends. Her leading role required her to step out of her comfort zone, oftentimes maxing out her social battery. “Acting is definitely harder than doing music because you have to be vulnerable in front of the camera. I had to garner so much energy. After filming, I’d power down completely,” she says. (As Chantalle jokes: “Tasha takes about three months to warm up to people. By the time she’s comfortable with them, the drama is over!”)

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Working alongside Chantalle was both a challenge and a joy. Their close friendship made their on-screen rivalry difficult, but ultimately rewarding. “We’re so close; we don’t take anything personally,” Tasha assures. In fact, if she had a choice to swap roles, she would love to play Chantalle’s character. “I think being the villain is very fun; there’s a lot more depth and dimension,” she says. “I love thrillers. I would love to play a serial killer or someone with mental health issues.”

Her message for viewers is to watch Emerald Hill “with an open mind because this is a completely different story”. She adds: “The Little Nyonya dates back to World War II and the Japanese occupation, while Emerald Hill happens during Singapore’s post-independence era. Hopefully, viewers will be able to pick up on the differences.” As Emerald Hill gears up for its release, Tasha is already looking ahead. She recently performed her debut single “Everything You Wanted”, at the New Year’s Eve Countdown, and another song is in the works. “Performing again feels like a full-circle moment.” For someone who has lived multiple lives—from K-pop idol to actress—the sky’s the limit.

Photographed by JOEL LOW
Styled by JEFFREY YAN

Make-up Artist KIMBERLY CHEE
Hairstylist for Chantalle Ng CHRISTVIAN
Hairstylist for Tasha Low RYAN YAP/Passion Hair Salon
Photographer’s Assistant EDDIE TEO