Michelle Yeoh Makes Oscar History With Best Actress Award For ‘Everything Everywhere All At Once’

Michelle Yeoh capped off her prolific awards season with a historic win at the 2023 Academy Awards, accepting the best actress statuette on Sunday for her performance in “Everything Everywhere All at Once.”

Yeoh is the first Asian actress to win an Oscar for a leading role. She starred in the acclaimed sci-fi show as Evelyn, a Chinese-American immigrant on a high-stakes journey through alternate dimensions.

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“To all the little boys and girls who look like me, tonight, this is a beacon of hope and possibility,” Yeoh, 60, said during her acceptance speech at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood. “This is proof that dreams are dreamed big and dreams do come true. And ladies, don’t let anyone tell you (that) you’re ever past your prime.”

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Yeoh, born in Malaysia, was the first woman to identify as Asian to be nominated for best actress. Merle Oberon, who was of Sri Lankan ancestry, received a nomination in 1936 for “The Dark Angel,” but his estate remained hidden until after his death.

Yeoh previously earned honors at the Golden Globe Awards, Screen Actors Guild Awards, and Independent Spirit Awards for her performance in “Everything Everywhere All at Once.”

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The genre challenge “Everything Everywhere” led all films at Sunday’s Oscars with 11 nominations. It won seven, including best picture, best supporting actor for Key Huy Quan and best supporting actress for Jamie Lee Curtis. Filmmaking duo Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert won best director and best original screenplay, and Paul Rogers took home best film editing.

Other best actress nominees included Cate Blanchett for “Tár,” Ana de Armas for “Blonde,” Andrea Riseborough for “To Leslie” and Michelle Williams for “The Fabelmans.”