Michelle Yeoh Makes Historic Victory at the Academy Awards
On March 12, Michelle Yeoh made history at the 95th Academy Awards by becoming the first Asian actress to win the Best Actress Oscar.
The Malaysian-born actress, best known for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) and Crazy Rich Asians (2018), achieved this honor for her starring role in the film Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022). The movie followed Yeoh’s character, Evelyn Wang, a Chinese-American immigrant who discovers she must connect with parallel versions of herself to prevent a powerful chaotic being from destroying the multiverse. In the movie, Yeoh displayed a wide range of emotions; as a business owner struggling with her feelings of deep regret, simultaneously trying her hardest to keep her family together. In her portrayal, Yeoh also displayed her talents as a martial artist as she engaged in various action sequences.
Upon its release, the film was critically and commercially acclaimed. In a review for The Ringer, critic Adam Nayman described the film as “a love letter to Yeoh [and] extremely poignant, giving its 59-year-old star a chance to flex unexpected acting muscles while revisiting the high-flying fight choreography that made her a global icon back in the 1990s.” The film even became A24’s highest-grossing film, surpassing Hereditary and Lady Bird.
Many took to social media to celebrate the history-making win.
Michelle Yeoh’s mother, family and friends reacting to her historic #Oscars win in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia pic.twitter.com/iVed1zYWyz
— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) March 13, 2023
ACADEMY AWARD WINNER MICHELLE YEOH pic.twitter.com/LnxjSsraOD
— ♡ (@taesdawn26) March 13, 2023
In the Academy Award’s 95-year history, Yeoh became the first Asian actress to win the Best Actress Oscar and the second woman of color to do so. Presenting the award to Yeoh were Jessica Chastain and Halle Berry; Berry was the first black actress and woman of color to win the same award. Yeoh went on stage, looking angelic in a sparkling, white Dior Haute Couture gown. Yeoh advised those watching, “This is proof that dreams come true. And ladies…never let anybody tell you that you are past your prime.” Yeoh concluded her speech, stating, “Thank you to the Academy. This is history in the making. Thank you!”
The Oscar is among many awards Yeoh has received for her work in the film. This past January, she won the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy. At the recent SAG awards, she also received the award for Female Actor in a Leading Role. With all the success, it is certain that Yeoh is nowhere near past her prime. For even more exciting news regarding the performer, click here.
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