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Vernetta Lopez
Vernetta Lopez
Vernetta Lopez
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Vernetta Lopez (born 22 July 1973) is a Singaporean actress and radio DJ. She is best known for her role as Denise Tan in the popular and award-winning Singaporean local sitcom Under One Roof from 1995 to 2003.

Key Information

Career

[edit]

Other than being a radio DJ, actress, voice-over artiste, and emcee, Lopez is also a wedding planner and former president of "One Singapore".

Acting

[edit]

Lopez's actual first television appearance was for a music television program called NiteRage, where from five hosts, it was streamlined to just two; Vernetta Lopez and Bernard Lim. Starring in Singapore's first English family sitcom known as Under One Roof shot Lopez to stardom and the sitcom ran from 1995 to 2003. Playing Denise Tan, the sitcom hit record breaking ratings and started Vernetta on her acting career professionally. Since then, she has starred in various productions and has taken on roles ranging from daughters to mothers, and from doctors to mental patients.

She also played the role of a Gynaecologist, Dr Kelly Chan, alongside Amy Cheng and Edmund Chen, in a Singapore medical drama First Touch, where it explored her personal life and her work life, which contradicted each other. In later years, she was cast in the legal drama series The Pupil and Code of Law as Deputy Public Prosecutor Vivian Lau.

She has starred in other television sitcoms like, Can I Help You, Mind Your Language, Shiver, Random Acts, Big Day Out, and Okto Channel's Zero Hero, playing Lady Magnificent alongside Timothy Nga.

She has also starred in Hansel and Gretel by Wild Rice Productions.

Lopez has also starred in Rain Tree Production's local English film, The Leap Years, alongside Wong Li-Lin, Nadya Hutagalung, and Paula Malai Ali. She also made cameo appearances in local feature film City Sharks in 2003 and as a woman at the turnstile in the 2015 Hollywood sci-fi film Equals.[1]

Radio DJ

[edit]

Lopez has worked as a radio DJ since 1994. She worked first as a DJ on NTUC Radio Heart 91.3, before moving on to Perfect Ten 987FM, Class 95FM, and to the Breakfast Show with Mark Van Cuylenberg on Gold 90.5. Having won several Favorite Radio DJ over several years, Lopez hosts the weekday morning show from 6am to 10am with Mike Kasem on Live with Mike & Vernetta on Gold 90.5. In 2025, she announced her departure from Gold 905 after 30 years of being on the air, her last day being on May 11, 2025.

Personal life

[edit]

In 1998, Lopez married fellow radio DJ Mark Richmond. The couple divorced in 2005.[2]

Lopez then married British software engineer Wayne Gladwin on 25 July 2009.[3]

Lopez is of Portuguese and Thai ancestry on her father's side and Peranakan ancestry on her mother's side.[4]

She majors in Radio and Television in Mass Communication studies earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mass Communication.

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2003 City Sharks Bag lady and voice of Divine
2006 The Race Begins Voice
2008 The Leap Years Jennie
2015 Equals Woman at turnstile
2015 The Singaporean Herself Short film

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1995-2003 Under One Roof Denise Tan
1996 Can I Help You? Donna Mah
2002 Ceciliation Cecilia Film
First Touch Dr. Kelly Chan
Oh Carol! Vivian Chong
2006 Stories of Love: The Anthology Series Marilyn Lee Film
2006-2008 Maggi & Me
2007 Random Acts Various
2009 Cosmo & George (season 2) Amanda Wee
2011 Zero Hero Mimi Wong / Lady Magnificent
2011 The Pupil DPP Vivian Lau
2012-2020 Code of Law
2016 Run Rachael Run Genevieve Phua
2016 Rojak Kit
2016 Fine Tune Lisa Wong
2018 Fam Joy
2020 Le Prawn Park Bee Bee
2026 Aunty Lee's Deadly Delights Rosie "Aunty" Lee

Awards and nominations

[edit]

Lopez won her first Asian Television Awards[5] in 2000 for her role in Under One Roof as Denise Tan with the award for Best Performance by an Actress (Comedy) and her second ATV award in 2003 for drama with the award for Best Performance by an Actress (Drama) for her role in Ceciliation.[6]

At the 2016 Asian Television Awards, Lopez was nominated twice in the same category (Best Comedy Performance by an Actor/Actress) for her roles in Run Rachael Run and Rojak.[7] Although she did not win the ATV in 2016 she did receive the accolade of 'Highly Commended' for her role in Run Rachael Run.[8]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Vernetta Lopez

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Vernetta Lopez (born 22 July 1973) is a Singaporean actress, radio presenter, emcee, author, and voice-over artist of Peranakan-Eurasian heritage. She is best known for her iconic role as Denise Tan in the long-running English-language sitcom Under One Roof (1995–2003), which established her as a prominent figure in Singapore's entertainment industry. For this performance, she received four nominations and won the Asian Television Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Comedy in 2000. Lopez began her career in the early after earning a in with a major in Radio and Television. Her debut came on the music video show NiteRage, followed by radio work as a DJ on Perfect 10 98.7FM and roles in series such as Random Acts and Zero Call. She appeared in television series such as (2016) and Run Rachael Run (2016), earning a Highly Commended nod for Best Comedy Performance at the 2016 for the latter. Additionally, she won the for Best Drama Performance by an Actress in 2003 for her role in Cecilia-tion. Lopez has also hosted major events, including the Parade and , and served as a brand ambassador for companies like and . In radio, Lopez co-hosted the morning show Live! with Mike, Vernetta and Gurmit on from 2015 until her departure on 11 May 2025, after over 30 years in broadcasting. Beyond acting and media, she is the director of Eternally Yours Pte Ltd, a wedding planning company, and authored the Memoirs of a DJ in 2012, chronicling her experiences in the industry. As of 2025, Lopez continues her association with , with an upcoming starring role in a new drama series slated for 2026.

Early life and education

Family background

Vernetta Lopez was born on July 22, 1973, in . Lopez possesses a diverse ethnic heritage, with her father contributing and Thai ancestry, while her mother brings Peranakan roots, reflecting the multicultural fabric of Singaporean society. This mixed background shaped her upbringing in a household that blended various cultural traditions, fostering an environment rich in linguistic and culinary diversity typical of Singapore's Eurasian and Peranakan communities.

Education

Vernetta Lopez attended Assumption English School before pursuing post-secondary education. She attended in , where she earned a in . The program equipped her with essential skills in , including voice training, script development, and studio techniques, laying the groundwork for her media career. She subsequently pursued higher education at the , completing a degree in , specializing in radio and television, through a partnership with RMIT University in 1995. This advanced coursework deepened her understanding of media theory, audience engagement, and content creation, directly informing her transition into professional roles in acting and radio presenting.

Career

Acting

Vernetta Lopez began her television career in 1994 as a host on the music video show NiteRage, marking her initial entry into Singaporean entertainment. Her breakthrough came the following year with the role of Denise Tan, the rebellious teenage daughter in the multicultural family sitcom Under One Roof (1995–2003), Singapore's first English-language sitcom produced by MediaCorp. As Denise, Lopez portrayed a sassy, modern Singaporean youth navigating family dynamics, school life, and cultural clashes in a HDB flat setting, which resonated with local audiences and helped the show become a cultural staple that ran for seven seasons. The character's development from a mischievous teen to a more mature young adult mirrored Lopez's own growth, contributing to the sitcom's impact in promoting English-language programming and reflecting Singapore's diverse society. Lopez continued to take on significant television roles, including Dr. Kelly Chan, a compassionate gynecologist, in the First Touch (2002–2003), where she explored themes of healthcare and personal ethics in a setting. She later played Senior Public Vivian Lau in the legal series The Pupil (2010–2011), depicting a sharp, no-nonsense handling complex courtroom cases. In film, Lopez appeared as Jennie, a supportive friend in the romantic drama The Leap Years (2008), which examined love across leap years in , had a minor role as Woman at in the sci-fi thriller (2015), and in 2016 took on roles in and Run Rachael Run, the latter earning a Highly Commended nod for Best Comedy Performance at the 2016 .; On stage, Lopez performed as the conniving stepmother in the Hansel & Gretel (2012) by W!ld Rice, a production that adapted the with Singaporean cultural elements and earned praise for her comedic timing. Over her career, Lopez's style evolved from youthful, energetic portrayals to more nuanced, professional characters, earning her recognition as a versatile talent in Singapore's industry, with multiple award nominations for her contributions to local media. Her dual presence in and radio has solidified her status as a prominent figure in Singaporean .

Radio presenting

Vernetta Lopez entered the radio industry in 1994 as a , beginning her career on Heart 91.3 FM. She later transitioned to Perfect Ten 98.7 FM, where she connected with younger audiences through upbeat programming targeted at teens. Her tenure extended to Class 95 FM, featuring drive-time slots that emphasized contemporary hits and listener interaction, before joining Gold 90.5 FM in 2016. At Gold 90.5, Lopez became a fixture in Singapore's English-language radio landscape, co-hosting the morning drive-time program LIVE! with Mike & Vernetta alongside from 2016 to 2019, which aired weekdays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., and then Live! with Mike, Vernetta and Gurmit with from 2019 until May 11, 2025.; Lopez's presenting style was characterized by infectious energy, humor, and relatable storytelling, fostering deep audience engagement through candid discussions on daily life, relationships, and current events. She often incorporated listener call-ins and feedback, creating a conversational atmosphere that resonated with commuters and homemakers alike, while her warm delivery provided comfort during morning routines. Over three decades, her contributions helped sustain 90.5's status as a leading English adult contemporary station in , blending classic tracks with modern insights to appeal to a broad demographic. The show concluded on May 11, 2025, capping Lopez's 30-year milestone in . Her radio persona—outgoing yet approachable—solidified her public image as a trusted media figure, endearing her to generations of listeners and enhancing her reputation beyond the airwaves. Balancing these commitments occasionally required adjustments to accommodate parallel acting projects.

Other ventures

In addition to her primary careers in acting and radio, Vernetta Lopez has built a robust portfolio in professional emceeing and artistry. With over two decades of experience as an event host, she has emceed hundreds of live events, including corporate launches such as the Rolls-Royce construction event and the Kick Off in , , as well as national occasions like the . Her hosting engagements span sectors like finance and military, with collaborations for organizations including Bank and the Sports Association (SAFSA). Lopez also serves as a seasoned artist, having provided narrations for radio and television commercials since 1994 for major clients such as , UOB, , and . These roles leverage her charismatic on-air presence, extending her media expertise into commercial and promotional spaces. Lopez ventured into authorship with the release of her autobiographical Memoirs of a DJ: Life in Progress in 2012, published by Editions. The 244-page work offers a candid, humorous recounting of her personal and professional journey as a , blending anecdotes from her early career challenges to reflections on life in the entertainment industry. It achieved commercial success, topping Singapore's Straits Times Best Sellers list as the number-one title. Entrepreneurially, Lopez founded Eternally Yours Pte Ltd in 2005 as a planning company, with services initially focused on Chinese and Western weddings and expanding to include Malay and Muslim weddings in 2012.; As director, she oversees comprehensive event coordination, including décor, lighting, audio-visual setups, and vendor partnerships, drawing on her emceeing background to personalize client experiences. The company is affiliated with the International Special Events Society (ISES) and emphasizes guiding couples through their planning process like a "lighthouse for ships." These ventures reflect an organic extension of Lopez's public persona, blending her media skills with creative service-oriented businesses.

Personal life

Marriages and relationships

Vernetta Lopez married fellow radio DJ Mark Richmond in 1998; the couple separated in 2001 and divorced in 2003. In her 2012 memoir Memoirs of a DJ: Life in Progress, Lopez recounted the that precipitated the marriage's collapse, reflecting on the emotional turmoil and subsequent personal resilience she developed in its aftermath. On July 25, 2009, Lopez wed British IT consultant Wayne Gladwin in a private ceremony. The couple marked their 15th anniversary in 2024, with Lopez publicly acknowledging Gladwin's unwavering support through life's challenges, highlighting a partnership marked by mutual tolerance and joy. Lopez and Gladwin have no children. Their relationship has extended into professional collaboration, notably co-owning RoundHouse Pizza, Bar & Grill, which reflects how her second bolstered her entrepreneurial pursuits.

Philanthropic work

Vernetta Lopez served as the president of ONE (Singapore), an anti-poverty organization dedicated to raising awareness and taking action against poverty in Singapore and globally. Under her leadership, the organization supported various Millennium Development Goals, including environmental sustainability, by publicizing under-the-radar charities and facilitating broad societal impact rather than focusing on a single cause. In this role, Lopez strategized initiatives such as the Corporate Adoption Program, which encouraged companies to adopt charities through projects, connecting businesses with community needs. She also contributed to events like the Every ONE Can Grocery Warehouse Sale in October 2011, a collaboration with FoodXervices that sold foodstuffs to raise funds for Willing Hearts, a group providing daily meals to the needy in . Lopez integrated her philanthropic efforts with her media career by leveraging her radio platform on to promote charitable causes, such as encouraging listeners to register as donors during her "Feel Good Minute" segments. More recently, she has supported initiatives, including participating as a DJ and organizer at Singapore Specials Day 2025, an event celebrating local stray dogs and highlighting the work of nine groups. These activities reflect her commitment to community building, often inspired by her personal experiences.

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleDirector
2003City SharksBag Lady & Voice of DivineEsan Sivalingam
2006Zodiac: The Race BeginsVoiceEdward Fu
2008The Leap YearsJennieJean Yeo
2015EqualsWoman at TurnstileDrake Doremus
This table lists Vernetta Lopez's roles in chronological order, based on credits from .

Television

Vernetta Lopez began her television career in the mid-1990s, establishing herself as a versatile actress in Singaporean series, often portraying strong, relatable female characters in and dramas. Her breakthrough role came in the long-running English-language Under One Roof, where she played the spirited teenager Denise Tan across multiple seasons, contributing to the show's status as a cultural staple. Throughout the , Lopez expanded into medical and family dramas, including a lead role as Dr. Kelly Chan in the hospital series First Touch, which spanned two seasons and highlighted her dramatic range. She also appeared in anthology formats and comedies, such as Random Acts, where she took on various roles. By the , her work shifted toward modern comedies and online series, with notable leads in Zero Hero and OK Chope!, the latter as a hosting role in a . More recent credits include crime drama Special Investigation Section (2022) and the online drama The Dream God (2023).
Year(s)TitleRoleNotes
1995–2003Under One RoofDenise TanLead; sitcom, 7 seasons, 142 episodes
1996Can I Help YouNot specifiedSitcom
1997Shiver (The Hand)Not specifiedHorror anthology episode
1997The Donny Lee ShowHostVariety show
1998Three RoomsNot specifiedDrama miniseries
2002–2003First TouchDr. Kelly ChanLead; medical drama, 2 seasons
2002CeciliationCeciliaLead; TV movie
2003Oh Carol!Vivian ChongSitcom
2003HomelessNot specifiedDrama
2003Trouble in LawNot specifiedLead; TV movie
2004Daddy's GirlsNot specifiedSitcom
2006Maggi & MeNot specifiedSitcom
2007Random ActsVariousAnthology comedy
2007Big Day OutNot specifiedComedy
2007Stories of Love: The Anthology SeriesMarilyn LeeAnthology drama
2008Cosmo & George (Season 2)Amanda WeeSitcom
2008MentalNot specifiedDrama
2010–2011Zero HeroMimi Wong / Lady MagnificentLead; superhero comedy, 2 seasons
2011The PupilNot specifiedLegal drama
2012Code of LawNot specifiedLegal drama
2014–2015FabeliciousNot specifiedLead; comedy
2016RojakKitLead; comedy-drama
2016Run Rachael RunGenevieve PhuaTV series
2016Fine TuneNot specifiedLead; comedy
2016–2017OK Chope!HostComedy panel show, multiple episodes
2017LifespamNot specifiedLead; online drama
2017SiloNot specifiedLead; online drama short
2018Fam!Joy TanLead; family comedy
2021Le Prawn ParkBee BeeLead; comedy series
2022–Special Investigation Section (SIS)DSP Frances ChanLead; crime drama series
2023The Dream GodGirl in blueLead; online drama
Lopez has also made guest appearances and hosted specials, such as National Day Parade broadcasts (various years) and President's Star Charity events, but these are primarily one-off television events rather than series roles.

Awards and nominations

Lopez has received multiple nominations and wins at the , including two wins for acting performances.
YearAwardCategoryNominated workResultRef.
2000Best Performance by an Actress in a ComedyUnder One RoofWon
2003Best Performance by an Actress in a DramaCeciliationWon
2016Best Comedy Performance by an Actor/ActressRun Rachael RunHighly Commended
2016Best Comedy Performance by an Actor/ActressNominated
She received four prior nominations for her role in Under One Roof before winning in 2000.

References

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  3. https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0002037/2000/1/
  4. https://www.themoviedb.org/person/933510-vernetta-lopez
  5. https://www.mediacorp.sg/corporate/news-release/awards-accolades/asian-television-awards-2016-6988824
  6. https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0002037/2003/1/
  7. https://cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/entertainment/vernetta-lopez-john-klass-leaving-gold-905-464201
  8. https://mothership.sg/2025/05/vernetta-lopez-john-klass-leave-gold-905/
  9. https://www.artistemanagement.com.sg/artistes_Vernetta.html
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  11. https://prabook.com/web/vernetta.lopez/1767443
  12. https://sg.linkedin.com/in/vernetta-lopez
  13. https://www.8days.sg/entertainment/local/under-one-roofs-funny-family-everyone-loved-love-90s-476511
  14. https://cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/entertainment/moses-lim-death-tributes-co-stars-fans-under-one-roof-459971
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  17. https://www.todayonline.com/entertainment/arts/theatre-review-hansel-gretel-woods
  18. https://www.vernettalopez.com/acting
  19. https://www.cna.asia/Ys9DbK
  20. https://www.todayonline.com/entertainment/music/refreshed-dj-line-mediacorp-gold-905
  21. https://cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/entertainment/gurmit-singh-joins-morning-team-gold-905-261676
  22. https://www.facebook.com/gold905/videos/its-a-bittersweet-moment-as-we-bid-farewell-to-vernetta-lopez-on-gold-905-thank-/1274000997477290/
  23. https://radiodaysasia.com/news/speaker-announced-vernetta-lopez-mediacorp-radio-gold-905/
  24. https://www.artiste-e.com.sg/artistes/vernetta-lopez
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  26. https://books.google.com/books/about/Memoirs_of_a_Dj.html?id=ONBLMwEACAAJ
  27. https://www.vernettalopez.com/book
  28. https://www.perfectweddings.sg/eternally-yours-weddings-handcrafted-with-love/
  29. https://divaasia.com/article/2164
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  34. https://sg.style.yahoo.com/blogs/singapore-showbiz/vernetta-lopez-saving-world-one-time-065135227.html
  35. https://www.zoominfo.com/p/Vernetta-Lopez/1271969861
  36. https://www.facebook.com/OneSingapore/videos/can-businesses-do-well-and-do-good/10150666898242620/
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  38. https://www.lillidale.sg/blogs/news/lillidale-animal-health-at-singapore-specials-day
  39. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0342984/
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  41. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0470420/
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  44. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0199280/awards/
  45. https://www.todayonline.com/entertainment/television/asian-television-awards-2016-nominees-announced
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