Michelle Yeoh becomes the “first-ever” Asian woman to win an Oscar in the Best Actress category. History has made and how! Read on to learn more about the topic!
The “Everything Everywhere All At Once” film’s entire cast and crew and every artist involved with the film received endless standing ovations and accolades at the 95th Academy Awards. For the uninitiated, the science-fiction multiverse movie bagged seven Oscar categories out of eleven nominations.
Undoubtedly, it was a phenomenal and special night for all the artists associated with this film. On top of that, Michelle Yeoh winning the best actress title for her amazing acting chops was another high altogether. To reiterate, she became the “first Asian” woman ever to win the best actress Oscar trophy.
Michelle Yeoh accepts her #Oscar for Best Actress: “For all the little boys and girls who look like me watching tonight, this is a beacon of hope and possibilities. This is proof that dreams do come true.” https://t.co/ndiKiHfmID pic.twitter.com/pQN8nHDhCx
— Variety (@Variety) March 13, 2023
Michelle Yeoh Became The Second Woman Of Color To Win An Oscar For The Best Actress:
Halle Berry was the first woman of color to receive the lead actress Oscar award for her work in “Monster’s Ball” in the year 2002, and she was the chosen one to present the same honor to Michelle Yeoh during the 95th Academy Awards.
Michelle Yeoh’s beautiful speech after winning the Oscar was something to hold on to, and for all the empowering reasons. Here’s what she said (not verbatim):
“For all the young children watching tonight who look like me, this is a ray of hope and opportunity. This demonstrates that you can dream big, as they come true and how! Also, please don’t listen to anyone who tells you that you are past your prime, especially women. You should never give up.”
Everything Everywhere All At Once actress dedicated her Oscar win to her mother and said something along these lines:
“I have to dedicate this to my mom — to all the mothers in the world because without them, none of us would be here tonight. They are truly the most important superheroes in our lives. She’s 84, and I’m bringing this to her house. She is currently watching the live Oscars show with my family and friends in Malaysia. I’m bringing this home to you guys. I love you all.”
She continued by saying:
“And thank you, also, to my extended family in Hong Kong, where I started my career.” “Thank you for letting me stand on your shoulders, giving me a leg up so I could be here today.”
Before completing her speech, Yeoh also thanked her sisters and brothers, and also the Academy for showering her with such great honor and said:
“And to my Godchildren. To my sisters. All of them. To my brothers. And to my family — thank you. Thank you. Thank you to the Academy this is history in the making. Thank you!”
“History is being made,” Yeoh said, and we couldn’t agree more!
I think this win was remarkable and unique for people, even more so because the recipient is 60 years old, and that’s quite unheard of in the entertainment world. This August, the Academy Award winner, Michelle, will turn 61. According to Statista, the average age of Best Actress winners throughout the course of the last century has been roughly 37. You got what I was trying to say?!
According to Sky News, there was an average age difference of 20 years between the Best Actress and Best Supporting Actor winners from 1997 to 2006. This shows how persistent ageism is against women in this profession. Luckily, the same report says that this disparity has been narrowing and that the real shift is happening gradually.
What Did Make Michelle Yeoh Win The Heart And Intellect Of The Academy Members?
Everything Everywhere All At Once’s remarkable run since debuting at South by Southwest almost a year ago has made Michelle win over critics, fans, and all the Academy voters with her skills, talent, and solid Hollywood career.
In case you are not aware, the Malaysian actress has done a series of versatile roles and performances so far in her career, both in Hong Kong and Hollywood. She started out as a ballet dancer but soon found her calling and way around action movies, becoming one of the most acclaimed female action movie actresses.
“Dance and action are quite similar and all about balance and how one can keep control of their body,” said Yeoh in one of her interviews (not verbatim).
She later rose to prominence in the 1990s and early 2000s after appearing in films such as Supercop, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and Tomorrow Never Dies, and she successfully established herself as one of the industry’s most dependable artists and performers.
Michelle Yeoh’s Mother’s Reaction to Her Oscar Win Was Something to Cherish Forever-
Interestingly, when Yeoh won an Oscar, her mother, Janet Yeoh, was watching the ceremony live on television in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with all her close family members and friends. After the great historic moment, Michelle’s mom also attended a conference and acknowledged the amazing win of her daughter with tears of joy as follows:
“She has made Malaysia proud. I am really proud of my little princess. She is a hardworking girl, and it really paid off. I was speechless and could not believe what just happened after listening to the announcement for a minute. I am feeling very happy and proud.”
You Can Also Watch The Video Of Michelle’s Mom’s Reaction To Her Historic Oscar Win-
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