Michelle Yeoh, the renowned Malaysian-born actress, has made history by becoming the first person of Southeast Asian descent to win the Best Actress Oscar at the 95th Academy Awards held in Los Angeles. Yeoh was honoured for her role as Evelyn Wang, the laundromat manager in the superhero comedy film, Everything Everywhere All at Once, directed by the Daniels.
The actress, who has always been proud of her Hong Kong roots, dedicated her award to her mother, all the mothers in the world, and her extended family in Hong Kong where she started her career. She thanked them for giving her a leg up and for allowing her to stand on their shoulders so that she could reach this pinnacle of success.
And 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 that I could be here today. – Michelle Yeoh
Throughout her career, Michelle Yeoh has been a prominent figure in Hong Kong cinema, starring in numerous action and wuxia films. She also became one of the few South East Asian actresses to successfully transition to Hollywood. Her contributions to Hong Kong cinema include her action and martial arts skills, as well as her ability to bring a strong, independent female presence to her roles.
Yeoh’s win at the Oscars is a testament to the talent and hard work of a woman who has devoted her life to acting and has amassed impressive filmography over the years. Let’s take a look at some of the films that have led her to this momentous win.
Featured Image Credit: The Academy