On Sunday, Michelle Yeoh made history by becoming the first actress of Southeast Asian descent to win the Academy Award for best actress. Yeoh won for her performance as Evelyn Wang in “Everything, Everywhere, All at Once,” which also took home the best picture award.
Yeoh is best known for her roles in the James Bond films “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” “Tomorrow Never Dies,” and “Crazy Rich Asians.” Yeoh’s first Oscar nomination comes despite decades of work and dozens of roles.
Yeoh plays a Chinese immigrant who can explore alternate lives in other universes in her Oscar-winning role.
She received a standing ovation when she took the stage to accept her award. “Thank you, thank you, thank you. This is a beacon of hope and possibility for all the little girls and boys who look like me who are watching tonight “She stated this in her speech. “This is proof that big dreams can come true.”
“And ladies, don’t ever let anyone tell you that you’re past your prime,” Yeoh, who is 60 years old, went on. The remark came after CNN anchor Don Lemon was chastised for saying that presidential candidate and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley was past her prime at the age of 51. Lemon later expressed regret.
“Never give up,” Yeoh said, as the audience applauded. She then thanked her directors, A24, the cast, and crew, and dedicated the award to her mother and “all the moms in the world.”
“They are true superheroes, and without them, none of us would be here tonight,” she said, echoing one of the film’s directors, Daniel Kwan, who thanked mothers in one of his acceptance speeches.
Yeoh stated that her mother, who is 84, is watching with friends and family in Malaysia. “I love you guys, and I’m bringing this to you,” she explained. She also expressed gratitude to her “extended family” in Hong Kong, where she began her acting career.
Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, also known as The Daniels, wrote and directed “Everything, Everywhere, All at Once.” They also won Oscars for best director and best screenplay.
Ke Huy Quan, who began his career as a child actor in “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” and “The Goonies,” won best-supporting actor, becoming only the second performer of Asian descent to do so.
Jamie Lee Curtis, a longtime film star, won best supporting actress for her role in the film, her first Oscar. The film was also nominated for best editing.
