Zoe Tay and Aileen Tan recounted their four-decade relationship — from competitors to good friends — in the latest episode of CNA Insider programme Meet Me There season two released on Aug 18.
In the episode, 58-year-old Zoe was tasked to take public transport to find Aileen at places that hold significant memories for them within eight hours.
The first place that the veteran local actress went to was Aileen’s home, but she wasn’t there.
Despite that, she recounted how she often visited the 59-year-old actress’s home to play mahjong with other local celebrities: “I think mahjong is what brought us together.”
Zoe also shared that she believes a person’s character is shown through how they play the tile-based game.
“It’s what people call ‘mahjong etiquette’. Her mahjong etiquette is excellent. She is very gracious and easygoing, just like her personality. Whether she wins or loses, she is always very chill about it,” she explained.
Because of the nature of their work, they don’t really have their personal space when they go out, and she is very “grateful” to Aileen for inviting her to her home, where she could gather and interact more freely.
Aileen also shared that the people she invites to her home are those she trusts.
“The trust was developed as the years went by. When we were younger, Zoe and I were both very busy and didn’t really spend much time together. It was only in the past 10 years or so that we gradually became closer,” she said.
Zoe and Aileen were both participants of Star Search 1988, where Zoe emerged as the champion while Aileen won first runner-up and most photogenic.
During the programme, Zoe said as she got to know Aileen better, she realised that the latter is a very thoughtful person who respects her elders.
She recounted: “She would often come to my home to visit my mother and bring her things to eat. Through these small gestures, I slowly felt her sincerity.
“She really loves children and dotes on my kids. My family feels very comfortable around her now. So even when we travel overseas and she joins us, I’m totally fine with it. My kids are all very close to her.”
In December 2025, Zoe revealed her mother had died at the age of 88. Zoe has three sons with her husband Philip Chionh, a former Republic of Singapore Air Force pilot.
Zoe also visited Caldecott Hill, where Mediacorp was formerly located, and recounted how she and Aileen met while they were undergoing training for the competition.
Zoe’s impression of Aileen then was that she could sing very well, while Aileen felt Zoe was incredibly hardworking and resilient, knowing that she came from a kampung background and felt that she could endure hardship.
Later, they starred in their first drama My Fair Lady (1988) together with Jazreel Low, who was second runner-up at the talent competition.
Zoe also searched for Aileen at HarbourFront Centre, formerly known as World Trade Centre where the Star Awards finale was held, and at the yoga centre at Millennia Walk where they attend classes.
Finally, after more than eight hours of searching, she found Aileen at Club Street, where they filmed their drama Kid U Not (2026).
As they reflected on their friendship, Aileen said: “We will [continue to] appreciate our friendship from now on, all the way until we’re old. Then we will grow old gracefully and keep playing mahjong together all the time to prevent dementia.”
As she added she would play the game just to prevent herself from forgetting Zoe, the latter laughed: “You won’t, we’ll take care of you.”
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