“Button Suit Before Standing Up”: Best Actor Winner Richie Koh On What He Was Thinking Before Name Was Called

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Not gonna lie, if Richie Koh didn't win the Best Actor award at  Star Awards 2023, we'd be expecting to hear an uproar from fans and supporters who absolutely adored the hit 2022 Mediacorp drama  Your World In Mine. 

Thankfully, the 29-year-old actor deservedly went on to clinch the award at the ceremony, which was held at Marina Bay Sands last night (Apr 9). 

Not only that, Richie also lived up to expectations and bagged the  Most Popular Rising Star  and MYPICK! Male Show Stealer awards, making him one of the only two artistes to snag three awards at the show — Congrats to  Ayden Sng  too! 

Now we know everyone's been rooting for  Richie  to win Best Actor, but when  8days.sg spoke to the actor, he shared that the overwhelming support he's received actually did not make him feel pressured.  

"You know where the pressure came from? It was when [the show's hosts]  Lee Teng and  Matilda Tao  jie  kept dragging and dragging  [the moments before the announcement]," he joked.  

And according to Richie, the only thing that was on his mind before his name was announced was that he needed to "button [his] suit before standing up."

8DAYS: Congrats on your win, Richie! You've got so much recognition for your role in Your World In Mine. Are you worried that people might call you a one-hit wonder?  

Got people say?  (Laughs)  I don’t know, time will tell. Okay, to me I don’t work for [the award], I work to tell the story. So whether it’s a one hit wonder or if I will ever win [an award again], I don’t know ‘cos that’s the future.  

You also won the Most Popular Rising Star award. How are you going to thank your fans for their support? Like how Marcus Chin is giving out free trips? 

He's different. He earns more money  (laughs) . Maybe I will arrange a gathering [with my fans] 'cos I hardly do that.  

[But just for your information, Marcus did clarify that his tour packages were actually sponsored, and he only had to fork out the $200 dining vouchers that he’s giving away.]

The past year was really your year. Are you a superstitious person? Do you believe there was anything that gave you luck? 

I think it's hard work, taking care of myself and drinking more water and beer (laughs). I believe everyone has their ups and downs. Life will never be smooth-sailing but you'll never be down all the way.   

Your career was quite stagnant before your breakthrough role in  Your World In Mine. Did you feel dejected then? 

I wouldn't say dejected but every year I would tell myself "I just need more time". 'Cos if some people attain success when they’re 40 or 50 years old, why am I complaining? 

Did you ever think of leaving showbiz during that five fallow years?  

I did think about that when I just started. I was afraid that it wouldn't work out and was worried about what my future would be like.  

I think in every actor's career, there will be a period where they worry that they're not likable or no one is giving them roles; that's when they'll start thinking and dwelling on the bad side. But you just have to pull yourself back up. And my friends and loved ones, they kept telling me to persevere.  

Did you compare yourself to your peers whose careers took off before yours?  

Definitely you will have such thoughts but those are very negative thoughts leh. Why must you compare yourself to others? So I always just think about how I can improve myself and I spend a lot of time getting better at what I love to do, which is acting.  

Photos: Mediacorp Photo Unit 

You can watch Richie's winning speech on meWATCH here:

Catch up on the Star Awards 2023 on meWATCH here.

The repeat telecast for the Walk of Fame and Award Ceremony will air on Ch 8 from 2pm - 6.30pm on April 16 (Sunday).