While 'Everything Everywhere All At Once' swept the boards at last night's Oscars, there was more than a bit of history-making in the process along the way.
Michelle Yeoh picked up the gong for Best Actress on the night, seeing off stiff competition from Cate Blanchett as tyrant composer-conductor Lydia Tár, and went into the history books as the first Asian woman to win the award on the night.
Born Yeoh Choo Kheng in the city of Ipoh in Malaysia, the actress is one of the most iconic and well-known talents in Asian cinema, but came to prominence with Western audiences when she starred in the Oscar-winning wuxia drama 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' and as the Chinese secret agent Wai Lin in 'Tomorrow Never Dies' opposite our own Pierce Brosnan as James Bond.
Her role in 'Everything Everywhere All At Once' combined all of her talents in both on-screen martial arts, comedy, and dramatic acting, as well as balancing both English and Cantonese in her dialogue as well.
In her speech at the Oscars, Michelle Yeoh talked about being a beacon of hope and possibility for people who looked like her. "Ladies," Yeoh added, "this is a reminder to never let anyone tell you that you're past your prime." The actress celebrated her sixtieth birthday in August of last year. Yeoh received her Oscar from last year's winner, Jessica Chastain, and Halle Berry, who was the first woman of colour to receive the award for Best Actress. Yeoh is now the second woman of colour to win the award.
Here's her speech in full.
