The star of Everything Everywhere All at Once makes history at the 95th Academy Awards.
With an illustrious acting career, Michelle Yeoh has finally been honored with an 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,” she began her acceptance speech. “This is proof that … dream big, and dreams do come true.”
Yeoh is the first Asian woman to win the Best Actress award. Previously, she had already been honored at the SAG Awards, Independent Spirit Awards, and the Golden Globes among others.
At first an aspiring ballet dancer then Miss Malaysia World winner, Yeoh began her acting career in Hong Kong action movies where she performed her own stunts.
She rose to international fame in her roles in the James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies and the martial arts film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
“Ladies, don’t let anybody tell you that you are ever past your prime. Never give up,” Yeoh added, having been in the industry for decades now.
Yeoh went on to thank the cast and crew of the film, including its directors Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert. The duo had also won their first Oscars for Best Directing and Best Original Screenplay.
The actress also dedicated the award to her mother and mothers all over the world. “They are the real superheroes, and without them, none of us will be here tonight,” she said.
Thanking her family and friends in Malaysia, she said “I’m bringing this home to you,” referring to her award.
She also thanked her “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 can be here today.”
“Thank you to the Academy—this is history in the making!” she exclaimed, before making her exit.
Michelle Yeoh on her historic #Oscar win: “Tonight, we freaking broke that glass ceiling!” https://t.co/vBDJNHhLBi pic.twitter.com/PfNOTHYGEa
— Variety (@Variety) March 13, 2023
Earlier in the evening, Yeoh’s co-stars Ke Huy Quan and Jamie Lee Curtis also received their awards for Best Supporting Actor and Actress respectively.
Everything Everywhere All at Once was leading at the Oscars with eleven nominations. The film ended up winning seven of these, including the final award of the night, Best Picture.
Banner image via Twitter @letterboxd.
