Sammi Cheng wins Best Actress at Hong Kong Film Awards after two decades, says she would thank husband Andy Hui when she gets home

A week ago, Sammi Cheng said she had "mixed feelings" about her chances of winning Best Actress at the Hong Kong Film Awards when she attended Star Awards 2023.

Well, the 50-year-old star had nothing to worry about 'cos she took home the award for her performance in Lost Love yesterday (Apr 16).

Sammi finally broke her losing streak at the Hong Kong Film Awards. Over the past two decades, she has been nominated for Best Actress nine times with no wins, a record that has yet to be surpassed. 

In 2001, she was nominated three times in that category, but eventually lost to Sylvia Changg. In 2019, she was nominated twice but was bested by Zhou Dongyu. 

Thankfully, she managed to come through on her 10th nomination, defeating fellow nominees fellow nominees Sylvia Chang, Louisa So, Teresa Mo and Angela Yuen.

In Lost Love, Sammi turned in a heart-wrenching performance as a grieving mother who devotes herself to fostering children after losing her three-year-old son. 

Upon receiving her award, which was presented to her by old on-screen partner Heavenly King Andy Lau, Sammi said: "This Best Actress award has always been beyond reach, but sometimes it's just a step away."

"I didn't think about when I will get it. Instead, I focused on whether I've improved and changed myself during the process. From being typecast as a comedian to filming serious dramas, my efforts have not been acknowledged many times. It was a long journey," she added. 

Sammi giving Andy a big hug after receiving her award

Sammi also shared that it was exceptionally meaningful for her to receive the award from Andy.

"As I journeyed through the movie industry, I always emphasised that Andy has helped me a lot. Being in many comedies with Andy at the beginning of my career gave me a really good start," she said.

Sammi, who thanked her family during her speech, went on to admit that she was feeling "very emotional". 

"I'm really very happy! I'm finally not an also-ran. I can dash across the finishing line!," she exclaimed, before breaking into Jacky Cheung's hit song 'Wo Deng Dao Hua Er Ye Xie Liao'.

"Do you know... Do you know... I've waited till the flowers have withered," she sang while gazing at her trophy. 

Sammi was inspired by veteran actor Wu Fung's Lifetime Achievement Award speech, which saw the 91-year-old singing the same song too.

Sammi and husband Andy Hui

Though Sammi didn't mention her husband Andy Hui in her speech, she revealed in a backstage interview that she would "go home and thank him in person."

"He's been camping in front of TV the entire night," she said. "From choosing my outfit to settling on my look, he's been by my side, encouraging me. We did message each other. It doesn't have to be on stage, I'll thank him when I'm home."

Sammi also added: "He should have prepared the things I want to eat [at home]. I really want potato chips! My entire mind is just filled with junk food!"

Photos: Sammi Cheng/Instagram, Orientaldaily

Catch Sammi's performance at Star Awards 2023 on meWATCH below: