{
  "id": 5318579,
  "title": "#SHOWBIZ: From rags to TVB royalty: Samantha Ko recalls broke days, 'sugar daddy' gossip",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/showbiz-from-rags-to-tvb-royalty-samantha-ko-recalls-broke-days-sugar",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-03T11:30:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/lifestyle/groove/2026/09/1525135/showbiz-rags-tvb-royalty-samantha-ko-recalls-broke-days-sugar"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Hong Kong actress Samantha Ko, 39, rose to fame through roles in dramas like Outbound Love (2014), Love As A Predatory Affair (2016), and Battle Of The Seven Sisters (2021). Ko's breakthrough came when she won Best Supporting Actress at the TVB Anniversary Awards for The Queen Of News (2023). However, the path to her success was far from easy. In a recent interview with HK01, Ko opened up about her humble beginnings and the financial struggles she faced during her career.\n\nDuring the 2008 Miss Hong Kong pageant, Ko was competing for a spot in the top five, yet she had no income to support herself. She relied on her parents for assistance during this period. Ko recalled feeling embarrassed when she couldn't afford to give a modest HK$800 (around RM412) wedding gift to her old friend Suki Chui, who was celebrating her marriage. At one point, Ko's bank account held only HK$600 (approximately RM309), leaving her in a vulnerable and uncomfortable position.\n\nKo's financial difficulties became the subject of tabloid rumors, alleging that she was being supported by a wealthy businessman. These claims had a profound impact on Ko and her family, particularly her father, who felt responsible for failing to protect his daughter. Facing such hardships, Ko contemplated leaving the acting industry, stating, \"For a while, I seriously considered not doing this job anymore.\"",
  "summary": "HONG KONG: Popular actress Samantha Ko, 39, is best known for her stellar performances in dramas such as Outbound Love (2014), Love As A Predatory Affair (2016) and Battle Of The Seven Sisters (2021).",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}