Real-Life Drag Queen That Richie Koh Plays In A Good Child Opens Up About Emotional Moment At Gala Premiere

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Mediacorp actor Richie Koh’s Golden Horse Best Leading Actor nomination for A Good Child would not have been possible without Christopher Lim. Who?

Better known as Sammi Zhen, the 45-year-old drag queen's life was the inspiration for the local movie, which is now in theatres.

But it's not just Richie that people are recognising from the movie. In fact, Sammi, who towers at 1.8m tall (without high heels, he insists), tells us he is also getting recognised in public these days since he was featured in the media for his connection with the movie.

The stallholders at a hawker centre near his place are buzzing about a movie about his life hitting theatres.

During the our interview at Orchard Rendezvous Hotel’s Heritage Room, Sammi tells us one of the stallholders, armed with a newspaper clipping of Sammi, approaches him and asks: “This person [in the article] looks like you ah”. “It is me!” Sammi tells her, with a laugh.

In A Good Child , Richie takes on the role of a drag queen who returns home to care for his estranged and dementia-stricken mum (played by Hong Huifang).

While the cast was unveiled in May 2024, talk of a movie based on Sammi's life started way back in 2019.

Why Sammi? He initially joked that it is because director Ong Kuo Sin found his fiery Facebook rants hilarious.

“If you are on my Facebook, you will know I post a lot of rubbish. So, [I think] he found it interesting enough to turn into a movie," Sammi quips.

He first met Kuo Sin on the set of the film, Number 1. “I was a consultant for Number 1 and we exchanged social media contacts then,” recalls Sammi.

Number 1 was a local film where Mark Lee also played a drag queen, which coincidentally also garnered him a Golden Horse nomination in 2020.

How did he feel when he found out that Richie was cast to play him?

“I went “Thank God!” when I saw him (Richie), because we all know how good he is in his craft and work, right?” beams Sammi.

Sammi also tells this writer how Richie even took time out to attend three of his drag shows to prep for the role.

“A couple of times, he even sent me to location A and B, staying back to watch my performances,” says Sammi.

According to Sammi, friends who watched early screenings of A Good Child say that Richie did such a good job, they forgot about the actor, and only saw Sammi.

“He is no longer acting. He is playing me, but no, he is me. You see him, you see me. That is why it is so scary,” explains Sammi.

Sammi also admits that it is surreal seeing his life story being played out on the big screen and that he wept when he saw the first cut of the film.

“Of course, a lot of it reminded me about the past. As we were watching it at Kuo Sin’s house, he just [took out] a piece of tissue [when he heard] me sniffing,” says Sammi.

In true comedic fashion, Sammi remembers what he said to the film execs who were also there.

“I looked at them and asked, “Do you want to give out tissue on the gala or not ah?” I think it’s a good idea. Because if you are not, I will be giving out to sell tissue (laughs). At least make some money right?” Sammi quipped. 

Speaking of the gala premiere, Sammi also revealed both Richie and Huifang got emotional when they he met his mum. As she was in a wheelchair and currently at a nursing home, she could only be there for an hour before she had to leave.

“Everyone was teary-eyed when they saw her. Huifang (who plays his mum in the movie) held her hand the way someone would hold their mum’s,” says Sammi.

Huifang spoke fluent Teochew with his mum, asking if she had eaten or if the theatre was too cold.

“I am not sure if she fully understands what the gala was about. She is usually just happy to go out, mingle, [do] some shopping,” admits Sammi.

Now that he's watched his colourful life played out on the big screen, is there anything he would tell his younger self?

Sammi goes quiet for a few seconds and takes a deep breath, before saying:  “There were so many times that you would want to give up. Love yourself more and endure a little. Because one day there will be a movie about you.”

Photos: Golden Village Pictures, sammiahzhen/IG

Make up: Tinoq & Dylan

Location: The Heritage Room at Orchard Rendezvous Hotel