Hot favourite Andie Chen Bang Jun has won Singapore mandarin TV's Star Search 2007.

He walked away with $25,000 cash, $4,000 worth of prizes and a two-year artiste contract with MediaCorp.

The Ngee Ann Polytechnic (Film, Sound & Video) graduate, who has just completed his national service, edged out Nanyang Technological University freshman Jerry Yeo, 21, and Taiwanese Celia Pan, 23, for the top spot.

During the finals on Sunday evening, the remaining six contestants were tested on their grooming, their flair for stunts, their gift of the gab and, yes, their acting.

Besides resident judges Hong Kong actor-director Alfred Cheung, MediaCorp Studios' senior vice-president for Chinese drama Kok Len Shoong and Taiwanese actress Ann Lang Tsu-yun, local actress Fann Wong, Hong Kong singer-actor Kenny Bee, Taiwanese director Doze Niu Chen-zer and MediaCorp deputy chief executive officer (TV) Chang Long Jong were on hand to decide the fate of the competitors.

The Mediacorp event was graced by Singapore President S R Nathan who gave away the top three prizes of evening.

Excerpt from an earlier interview The Straits Times did with eventual winner Andie Chen:

Is being a Jim Carrey-lookalike a bane or a boon?
I mentioned my resemblance in my introduction during the first qualifier and now everyone remembers me. How can it be a bad thing? Carrey is my idol. Although he is known for his comedies, he is also a very good serious actor.

What is your winning card?
My performance in all four categories has been quite balanced. However, for the acting part, Jackson and I just got a new script, so I'm less confident with that.