Michelle Yeoh's mom tearful, proud of 'little princess'
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) – Michelle Yeoh’s mother wept with joy for her “little princess” as the Malaysian actress became the first Asian to win a Best Actress Oscar.
Yeoh’s family and two cabinet ministers were among supporters who cheered for Yeoh’s win during a special Academy Awards viewing party in Malaysia on Monday morning. His trophy for his performance as a laundromat owner was one of seven Oscars for “Everything Everywhere at Once”, including Best Picture.
Janet Yeoh, 84, praised the actor as intelligent and hardworking and a filial daughter.
“I love my daughter very much and she has made Malaysia proud,” Yeoh told a news conference after watching a cinema in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia Boleh (Malaysia Can)! ,
Janet Yeoh said she is very proud of “my little princess”, who wanted to be a ballerina before entering the film world. Yeoh said she pushed her daughter out of her cocoon despite protests from her late husband, a lawyer whom she described as “old-fashioned”.
In her acceptance speech, Yeoh dedicated her award to her mother and said that “all the mothers in the world” were the real superheroes.
“It was such a jaw-dropping moment. I was speechless, I cried,” said Michelle Yeoh’s niece Vicki Yeoh, who was in the special scene. “The nominees are really strong, but we had no doubt about it. We keep telling her that you will win… You are standing on the stage with the Golden Man.
Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, who was present at the viewing, immediately posted on social media: “Most inspiring quote for all us aunties – “Ladies, never tell anyone you’re past your prime”. – Michelle Yeoh.”
MPs Sim Tze Sin and Wee Ka Siong thanked Michelle Yeoh for “breaking the glass ceiling” for Asian and Malaysian women. He praised her for being an icon for resilience and perseverance.
Michelle Yeoh, 60, learned ballet before venturing into acting. His first major Hollywood role was playing a Chinese spy in the 1997 Bond film “Tomorrow Never Dies” alongside Pierce Brosnan.
He rose to fame for his role in the 2000 martial arts masterpiece “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” a best-picture nominee that won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.
Yeoh found more success in the 2018 film “Crazy Rich Asians” and Marvel’s “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” in 2021.
“We are incredibly proud of her. We hope she breaks more records and wins more awards,” said her nephew Calvin Yeoh.
,
View more AP Academy Awards coverage
