Oscars 2023: Michelle Yeoh's Powerful Speech Is Just Perfect for International Women's Month

Michelle Yeoh offered encouraging remarks to every aspiring individual who witnessed her acceptance speech at the 2023 Academy Awards for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role for her efforts in 'Everything, Everywhere, All at Once.'

"For all the little boys and girls who look like me watching tonight, this is a beacon of hope and possibilities. This is proof that dreams... dream big, and dreams do come true. And ladies, don't let anybody tell you you are ever past your prime. Never give up."

Michelle Yeoh Becomes First Asian Best Actress Winner at Oscars

Yeoh recognized her mother, who she said was watching the Oscars broadcast in Malaysia, as she reflected on a person who had a significant influence on her life.

According to NBC Philadelphia, Cate Blanchett for 'Tár,' Ana de Armas for 'Blonde,' Andrea Riseborough for 'To Leslie,' and Michelle Williams for 'The Fabelmans' were all nominated in this category.

This is Michelle Yeoh's first Oscar victory in a 49-year career that includes 'Supercop,' 'Tomorrow Never Dies,' and 'Crazy Rich Asians.' And it's a moment that will go down in Academy Awards history.

Yeoh was the first Asian woman to be nominated for Best Actress, and she is now the first to take home the award.

Merle Oberon, whose mother was reportedly half Sri Lankan, is believed by some to be the first Asian candidate for Best Actress at the Oscars, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Yet, Oberon concealed from the public her ancestry.

Yeoh is the second woman of color to win the award for Best Actress. Halle Berry won Best Actress in 2001 for her performance in 'Monster's Ball.' Her onstage message is the latest award acceptance address that has garnered headlines in recent months.

At her first win at the Golden Globes in January, organizers attempted to end Yeoh's acceptance speech by playing music over her voice, which elicited laughter from the audience.

During the 2023 SAG Awards, Yeoh swore when winning the award for Best Performance by a Female Actress in a Leading Role for 'Everything, Everywhere, All at Once.'

Michelle Yeoh Takes Aim at CNN's Don Lemon

Moreover, Michelle Yeoh's acceptance speech looked to be an attack on Don Lemon, declaring, "Ladies, don't let anybody tell you you're ever past your prime."

Per Daily Mail, the statement appeared to be a reference to the CNN anchor who stated on February 16 that Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley, 51, "isn't in her prime."

His co-hosts Poppy Harlow and Kaitlan Collins were visibly stunned by his comments, and he apologized profusely to the crew in an emergency conference call after missing the following several programs.

Michelle Yeoh thanked the cast and crew of' Everything Everywhere All At Once' and dedicated the prize to her mother, who was watching the ceremony from Malaysia. Yeoh's remarks were instantly met with responses on social media.

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Academy Awards