Drag Queen Sammi Zhen Shares Emotional Reaction to Richie’s Role in A Good Child

Richie Koh’s Golden Horse Nomination

Richie Koh, a well-known actor with Mediacorp, has received a nomination for Best Leading Actor at the Golden Horse Awards for his role in A Good Child. This achievement can be credited to Christopher Lim, famously known as Sammi Zhen, whose life inspired the film.

People are not only recognizing Koh; Zhen himself has become a topic of conversation in public, particularly since the film’s release. He shared with 8Days that stallholders at a nearby hawker center are buzzing about the film based on his life.

During an interview at the Orchard Rendezvous Hotel’s Heritage Room, Zhen recalled an amusing moment where a stallholder approached him, newspaper clipping in hand, exclaiming, “This person looks like you!” To which Zhen cheerfully responded, “It’s me!”

Life and Legacy in A Good Child

In A Good Child, Koh portrays a drag queen returning home to care for his estranged mother, who suffers from dementia (played by Hong Huifang). The idea for a movie based on Zhen’s life traces back to 2019, long before the cast was unveiled in May 2024.

When asked why he was chosen as the subject, Zhen humorously mentioned that it was due to director Ong Kuo Sin finding his lively Facebook rants entertaining.

Zhen first encountered Ong on the set of Number 1, where he served as a consultant. Coincidentally, Mark Lee, who also played a drag queen in the movie, received a Golden Horse nomination in 2020.

When Zhen learned that Richie Koh would portray him, he expressed immense relief and admiration, saying, “Thank God! We all know how good he is at his craft.” He shared that Koh attended three of his drag shows to prepare for the role.

Emotional Moments at the Premiere

At the gala premiere, Zhen mentioned that both Koh and Hong Huifang became emotional upon meeting his mother, who could only attend briefly due to her condition. “Everyone was teary-eyed when they saw her,” Zhen shared, reflecting on the heartfelt moment.

Hong connected with Zhen’s mother in Teochew, asking whether she had eaten and if the theatre was cold. Zhen noted that while his mother may not fully grasp the significance of the gala, she enjoyed the outing.

Reflecting on his life story now on screen, Zhen pondered what he would say to his younger self, ultimately advising, “Love yourself more and endure a little. Because one day, there will be a movie about you.”