Michelle Yeoh reminds people that it’s never too late to chase your dreams.
Last night, 60-year-old Yeoh became the first Asian woman to win Best Actress at the Oscars for her role in All At Once.
“To all the little boys and girls who look like me tonight, this is a beacon of hope and possibility. That’s the proof – dream big and dreams come true,” Yeoh said during her acceptance speech. “And ladies, don’t let anyone tell you you’ve ever passed your prime.”
Malaysian-born Yeoh is only the second black woman to take home the award. Halle Berry was the first to win in 2002 for her role in Monster’s Ball. This was Yeoh’s first Oscar nomination.
In Everything Everywhere All at Once, Yeoh plays Evelyn Wang, a Chinese-American mother and laundromat owner who becomes an unlikely superhero when she is told she must jump between absurd parallel universes in order to save the world.
Everything Everywhere All at Once won seven Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director.
“I have to thank the academy for recognizing, embracing and truly representing diversity,” Yeoh told reporters after her win.
“I think that’s something we’ve been working toward for a very long time, and tonight we broke that glass ceiling,” she continued. “I obliterated it and smashed it with kung fu and we need that because there are so many who have felt unseen and unheard,” she added, adding that her victory “is for the Asian community and everyone who’s ever.” identified as a minority”.
Yeoh dedicated her win to “all the mothers in the world,” who she said are “really the superheroes,” and gave a special shout-out to her mother, Janet, in her acceptance speech.
“She’s 84 and I’m bringing this home for her,” Yeoh added. “She’s watching right now, in Malaysia with my family and friends. I love you guys and I’m bringing this to your home. And also to my extended family in Hong Kong, where I started my career. Thanks for letting me stand on your shoulders, give me a leg up so I can be here today.”
Yeoh started out in Hong Kong action films before snagging bigger roles in global films like 1997’s Tomorrow Never Dies and 2000’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
As advice to others looking to follow a similar path in Hollywood, Yeoh urged people to “never be afraid” and “never give up” on their dreams.
“If this is your passion, this is your love, you have to stand up for yourself and what you believe in and what you want to do,” she told reporters backstage. “I’m still here today…Finally, after 40 years, I understand that,” she told reporters backstage while holding up her award.
Yeoh continued, “Light the fire in your soul and stay on the path. Believe. Dare to dream. Because if you don’t dream, it’s impossible. Nothing is impossible. Look at me, I’m here.”
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