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Michelle Yeoh’s mother and family broke down in tears during the 2023 Academy Awards telecast, where Yeoh took home the Best Actress award for her performance in “Everything Everywhere at Once.” Yeoh’s win made her the first Asian actress to win in Oscar history and the second black woman to win in the category (Halle Berry, who presented Yeoh with the Oscar alongside Jessica Chastain, was the first to Monster’s Ball). The actress’ mother, Janet Yeoh, and other family members watched the Oscars live in Malaysia cheering, crying and screaming as Michelle was named the winner.
Janet Yeoh said at a press conference after her Oscars viewing party in Kuala Lumpur (via News Agency). “Malaysia Pole (Malaysia Can)!”
Michelle Yeoh dedicated her Oscar win to her mother and “all mothers in the world” during her acceptance speech. She added, “They’re the real superheroes and without them none of us would be here tonight.”
“For all the little boys and girls watching me tonight, this is a beacon of hope and possibility,” Yeoh said earlier in the speech. “This is proof that dreams do come true. Ladies, don’t let anyone tell you that you had a New Year’s day. Never give up.”
Vicky Yeoh, Michelle Yeoh’s granddaughter, was also at the watch party in Malaysia and told the press about Michelle’s victory: “It was an amazing time. I cried, I was speechless. The candidates are really strong, but we have no doubts. We keep telling her you’ll win… you’ll be on stage with the golden man.
Michelle Yeoh’s win earned praise from Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who said, “Apart from this achievement, Michelle’s brilliant and exemplary career in the industry will surely continue to be a great inspiration and motivation for our actors and local actresses and will provide even more impetus for the growth of our local industry Congratulations Michelle !
Everything and Everywhere at Once won a total of seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture. The film became the most successful Best Picture winner since Slumdog Millionaire and also took home awards for Best Director, Original Screenplay, Supporting Actor (Ke Huy Quan), and Supporting Actress (Jamie Lee Curtis).
See the Yeoh family’s reaction to their historic Oscar win in the video below.
