Michelle Yeoh, Tony Leung, Taylor Swift and more are ringing in the new year in style. Photos: Michelle Yeoh/Instagram, Izzrafiq Alias/The Star, AP
A new year has begun, and many celebrities are reflecting on the year that had passed while looking forward to the various possibilities that lie ahead.
From becoming a grandmother to partying with loved ones and watching the fireworks, here’s how some of your favourite stars rang in 2024.
Michelle Yeoh
Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh had lots to celebrate in 2023 after becoming the first Asian woman to win a Best Actress Oscar and marrying her long-time partner Jean Todt.
The Ipoh-born star kicked off the new year with another personal high as she became a grandmother.
Sharing a photo of a baby’s foot resting on a hand on Instagram, Yeoh wrote: “A little miracle on the first day of 2024. We are so truly blessed... Can’t tell you how happy I am for this very, very special bundle of joy.”
The 61-year-old added in a separate post: "Thank you darling Nicolas (Todt's son) and Darina for making us the happiest and proudest Grandparents!! Welcome baby Maxime."
She also shared a photo with Todt, 77, from their wedding banquet in Pangkor Island, Perak last month.
“Happy new year! 2024. Peace, harmony, love and all dreams come true,” the actress wrote.
Yeoh will be starring in the animated fantasy film, The Tiger’s Apprentice, and the film adaptation of the award-winning Broadway musical, Wicked, this year
Shila Amzah
Local singer Shila Amzah kept herself busy as she rang in the new year with a captivating performance at the Neon Dreams 2024 Countdown Music Festival in Melaka.
But that didn’t mean she didn’t spend time with loved ones.
As seen in a photo shared on Instagram, the singer got to meet her husband, social media personality Muhammad Ubaidillah Mohd Zulkefli, and son Seth Uwais backstage.
Shila also celebrated the new year with a milestone in her son’s life. He will be attending school for the first time.
“From not being able to speak or listen to instructions, he’s (now) catching up. May Seth always be bright-hearted and learn new things in school. Mama and papa love you,” the 34-year-old wrote on Instagram.
Shila tied the knot with Ubai last August. She had Seth from her previous marriage to Haris Idraki Elias in 2018.
Ed Sheeran
British pop star Ed Sheeran took to Instagram to share some of his standout memories of 2023, including one of him and Thor star Chris Hemsworth posing with the God of Thunder’s hammer.
“2023 dump,” Sheeran, 32, captioned his post. “See ya in 2024. Have a good one yeah. Nice one, love you.”
The photo dump also included a courtroom sketch of Sheeran’s testimony during his copyright dispute over Marvin Gaye’s Let’s Get It On, much to fans’ amusement.
Sheeran, who was accused of copying the Grammy-winning ballad, won the case in May.
Other pictures shared by the Brit included the time he crashed a couple’s wedding in Las Vegas and him in the recording studio.
Sheeran will be performing at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium on Feb 24 as part of his + - = ÷ x Asia Tour. The last time he was in Kuala Lumpur was in 2019 for his Divide World Tour.
Taylor Swift
American pop star Taylor Swift rang in the new year with her sweetheart Travis Kelce at a private party surrounded by close friends.
The couple, who went public with their relationship in September, were captured sharing a kiss as the clock struck midnight in the United States.
Footage of the moment quickly made rounds on social media, with many Swifties gushing over the wholesome interaction.
Hours before the party, Swift, 34, was spotted cheering on Kelce and his Kansas City Chiefs team to victory in their game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The singer arrived at the stadium in a letterman jacket matching the one Kelce, 34, wore as they held hands on Christmas Day.
Tony Leung and Carina Lau
Another celebrity couple who ushered in the new year together are Hong Kong actors Tony Leung Chiu Wai and Carina Lau, who watched fireworks.
Sharing a photo with her husband on Instagram, Lau, 58, wrote: “Happy new year to all my dear friends! #lover.”
Leung, 61, was recently in Kuala Lumpur to promote his new crime thriller, The Goldfinger.
The film marks the on-screen reunion of Leung and fellow actor Andy Lau, 62, two decades after their last collaboration on the classic Infernal Affairs trilogy.
Roxanne Tong
Hong Kong actress Roxanne Tong shared on Instagram a recap of 2023, which she regards as “one of the most important years in my life”.
And it’s not hard to see why.
Tong, 36, opened a new chapter in her love story after tying the knot with fellow TVB star Kenneth Ma in Koh Samui, Thailand on Dec 16.
“2023 brought me so much joy and love,” the actress captioned her post, to which Ma, 49, responded with three smiling face emojis.
The couple, who announced their engagement last January, had plans for a honeymoon to see the Northern Lights, though they have to be put on hold for now as Ma is busy with work.
J-Hope of BTS
BTS' J-Hope penned a heartfelt letter for fans on social media. Photo: J-Hope/Instagram
J-Hope of BTS welcomed 2024 by penning a letter in which he reflected on the past year and expressed hopes for a year filled with happiness.
On Weverse, a platform the band uses to communicate with fans, J-Hope wrote: “I attended award ceremonies alone, participated in big shows in Paris and prepared several contents so you guys can feel my warmth as I complete my military service.
“Just like that, it has already been nine months since I became a soldier.”
The 29-year-old also shared his eagerness to reunite with fans after completing his mandatory military service this October. It’s reported that he will be discharged on Oct 17.
“I can’t wait to show you a wonderful version of myself again. Fulfilling my duty (as a soldier) will make the start of 2024 even more powerful,” he added.
All seven members of BTS are currently serving in the military. The group is expected to make a comeback in 2025.
Alia Bhatt
Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt, who made her Hollywood debut in the action movie Heart Of Stone last August, rang in the new year with a celebration on a beach.
In a bunch of photos uploaded on Instagram, Bhatt, 30, can be seen partying with her husband, actor Ranbir Kapoor and spending time with her daughter Raha.
One of the snapshots showed Ranbir, 41, kissing Bhatt on the cheek.
The 30-year-old captioned her post: “2024 to do – keep it wholesome and soul-some. Happy new year to you all.”
