It was a pivotal moment for everyone watching.
The StarHub TVB Awards 2012 ceremony was under way at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre Saturday night and Hong Kong actor Bosco Wong had been named one of the six winners in the My Favourite TVB Male TV Character category.
As he could not be present in Singapore to receive his trophy, all eyes were on his ex-girlfriend, actress Myolie Wu.
Wong and Wu, Chinese television's golden couple, announced last month - to the shock of their fans - that they had gone separate ways after seven years together.
When quizzed by reporters, the 32-year-old actress cried uncontrollably at a promotional event for her new drama, Ghetto Justice II.
However, last Saturday, as a video clip of Wong played on the giant projector screen, Wu betrayed no sign of emotion. She smiled throughout Wong's pre-recorded segment.
It took bubbly actress Linda Chung, to finally crack Wu's brave front.
Chung, 28, had received an award for Best Smile and gave an upbeat speech about her dad advising her to face life with a smile, instead of frowns.
When Wu went on stage to receive one of the biggest accolades of the night, My Favourite TVB Actress, her positive facade seemed to be replaced by pensiveness.
"I feel very touched listening to what Linda said. It's so true, we really should smile more," said Wu, clutching her trophy.
Sporting a spunky short crop - she had shorn off her long tresses after her split with Wong - the actress looked sombre as she continued: "To be able to get this award and be recognised for my effort, I'm very lucky.
"I want to continue acting and trying my hand at all kinds of roles."
As she walked back to her seat, she wore a subdued expression.
The hosts for the evening, TVB artistes Astrid Chan and King Kong, seemed careful not to make any mention about her split from Wong.
The closest they got to talking about it to the full-capacity audience was when Chan told King: "Wu needs even more love and protection now."
While Wu was largely spared from any teasing, actress Tavia Yeung wasn't quite so lucky.
The 32-year-old had earlier made headlines for dating beefcake actor Him Law, who is five years her junior.
When it was time for Yeung to receive her award, King said cheekily, drawing laughter from the audience: "We don't need to protect this gal - her boyfriend has pecs bigger than my buttocks."
Yeung got her "revenge" subsequently, demanding that King "bend over" so that she could "examine his buttocks".
Turning up the heat for the night was actress Kate Tsui, 33, who sauntered down the red carpet in a cleavage-baring, high-slit gown, accompanied by veteran male stars Sunny Chan and Kenny Wong.
No surprise then that she won the Most Charming Physique award.
[email protected]
Get The New Paper for more stories.
