Michelle Yeohis an Oscar nominee!
TheEverything Everywhere All at Oncestar, 60, who nabbedher first Oscar nominationfor Best Actress on Tuesday, also earned a special distinction as the second actress of Asian descent to do so.
Yeoh toldDeadlinefollowing the Oscar nomination news: “I think what it means to me is all those Asians out there go, ‘You see, it’s possible. If she can do it, I can freaking well do it as well.’ That is the most important thing. I’m very ordinary. I just work very hard. There are so many brilliant actresses, actors out there who know that they have a seat at the table. All they have to do is find an opportunity and get there.”
The Malaysian-born actress — who is considered a Best Actress front-runner at the upcomingAcademy Awardsfor her performance as Evelyn Wang inEverything Everywhere All at Once— toldTIMElast monththat she has “thought about” the fact that no Asian woman has ever won Best Actress atthe Oscars, adding, “And not just me — I feel like myfull Asian community has thought about it.”
“They come up to me and they say, ‘You’re doing it for us,'” Yeoh toldTIME.
Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty
She also told the publication that her desire for the recognitionis “not about needing it,” but instead feeling the “love from other people” for her work.
She added: “When you get an opportunity like this, you have to pour your heart and soul into it, because you don’t know when the next chance is. I think that is my biggest fear: Please don’t let this be the one and only.”
Michelle Yeoh inEverything Everywhere All at Once(2022).David Bornfriend/A24
Yeoh has picked up several honors on the awards trail this season, including a Golden Globe for best actress. She became only the second Asian actress to win the award (Awkwafina won the award in 2020 for her role inThe Farewell).
She also accepted the Best Actress award from the National Board of Review, saying in heracceptance speech, “I am so incredibly proud to be the first Asian actress in 45 years to receive this honor.”
“I hope it means that Hollywood and the filmmaking community recognizes what a watershed film this is, and all the things I’ve stood for and tried to accomplish in my four-decade career,” she added.
Yeoh has also taken home best-actress accolades from the Saturn Awards and Hollywood Critics Association for her role in the movie, and was nominated for outstanding lead performance at theGotham Independent Film Awards. She is also up forbest lead performanceat theFilm Independent Spirit Awards, which will be held on March 4.
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Everything Everywhere All at Oncebecame A24’sfirst to cross $100 million at the global box office. The film also starsJamie Lee Curtis, who also received a nod for her performance at the Academy Awards,Jenny SlateandHarry Shum Jr.
The 95th Academy Awards will air live ABC on March 12.
source: people.com
