Michelle Yeoh Sparks Debate in New Instagram Post

In a since-deleted Instagram post, the Everything Everywhere All At Once actress, Michelle Yeoh, mentioned her competitor Cate Blanchett by name, causing controversy with the Academy Awards.

Michelle Yeoh, nominated for her groundbreaking performance in Everything Everywhere All At Once, posted excerpts from a Vogue article on her Instagram story. The excerpts from the article referenced Yeoh’s nomination for Best Actress at this year’s Academy Awards.

Additionally, the article also expanded on the significance of Asian representation within the Academy. Regarding Yeoh, the excerpt read, “for Yeoh, an Oscar would be life-changing: her name would forever be preceded by the phrase ‘Academy Award winner,’ and it should result in her getting meatier parts after a decade of being criminally underused in Hollywood.”

However, the excerpt also referenced her competitor Cate Blanchett by name. In the statement, the article writes that “detractors would say that Blanchett’s is the stronger performance […] A third [Oscar win] would perhaps confirm her status as an industry titan but, considering her expansive and unparalleled body of work, are we still in need of yet more confirmation?”

The post sparked controversy because it referenced Yeoh’s Oscar competitor by name. One Academy rule, number 11, enforces that “any tactic that singles out ‘the competition’ by name or title is expressly forbidden.”

Yeoh deleted the post after receiving backlash. Though she hasn’t released any statements, fans are quick to defend her. Many have pointed out that the Yeoh’s intentions were likely to highlight the importance of women of color within the film industry. One fan specifically notes that Yeoh’s performance is not only historic, but also deserving simply for her talent.

michelle yeoh deserves the oscar bc she gave the best performance in her category—and yes, her winning would also be historic and life changing for her. pic.twitter.com/skqYnLBhDJ

— sophia (@hellopugh) March 8, 2023

Although revoking nominations is rare, the threat against her could be very real. According to a New York Times article, “the last two times it happened, the cause was improper campaigning.”

However, similar controversy arrived earlier this year when actress Andrea Riseborough fell into similar controversy. The actress earned a last-minute nomination for Best Actress for her film To Leslie. The film is a small, independent work that remained obscure to audiences, but was supported by other industry professionals.

While the traditional way of earning an Oscar nomination is through heavily-funded ad campaigns and televised award winnings, Riseborough secured a nomination through a social media campaign driven by other actors. The untraditional means sparked controversy. According to the same New York Times article, one post mentioned her competitors by name, drawing attention to the Academy’s rule 11. Eventually, Riseborough was officially reviewed by the Academy and was found to be clear of any rule violations.

Riseborough’s and Yeoh’s situations are similar and draw questions about some of the Academy’s outdated rules. However, many argue that if Riseborough was innocent, Yeoh should be as well.

As she stated in her speech for Best Actress at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, “This is not just for me—this is for every little girl that looks like me. Thank you for giving me a seat at the table, because so many of us need this. We want to be seen, we want to be heard.”

Vogue published an article about systemic racism within the Academy. Critics scrutinized Yeoh for sharing it. As many pointed out, the contents of the article seem to be lost within the scandal, along with her voice. Still, fans have nothing but hope for Yeoh’s nomination and continue to uplift her. As one fan tweets, “it’s time for Michelle Yeoh” this Oscar Sunday.

Only one woman of color has won Best Actress at the Oscars in 95 years.

One. In nearly a century.

This week, it’s time for the second.

It’s time for Michelle Yeoh. pic.twitter.com/zNvDxCO4KD

— Brian Rowe (@mrbrianrowe) March 7, 2023

Audiences can tune into the Academy Awards this Sunday, March 12, at 8 PM EST on ABC.