MOVIE STARS

Michelle Yeoh, from Miss Malaysia to winning an Oscar as a protagonist: her story

Michelle Yeoh is one of the most influential women in Asian and international cinema, thanks to her brilliant career as an actress, producer and director.

Born in Malaysia in 1962, she won the title of Miss Malaysia at the age of 21, before embarking on her film career.

Her career was studded with successes and extraordinary achievements, culminating in her consecration by winning an Oscar.

In this photo gallery we are going to discover Michelle Yeoh's life story and how she managed to become one of the most admired women in show business.

Getty Images (collage)
Michelle Yeoh, from Miss Malaysia to winning an Oscar as a protagonist: her story
Michelle Yeoh is one of the most influential women in Asian and international cinema, thanks to her brilliant career as an actress, producer and director. Born in Malaysia in 1962, she won the title of Miss Malaysia at the age of 21, before embarking on her film career. Her career was studded with successes and extraordinary achievements, culminating in her consecration by winning an Oscar. In this photo gallery we discover Michelle Yeoh's life story and how she managed to become one of the most admired women in show business.
ANSA
Best Actress
Michelle Yeoh recently won Best Actress at the 95th Academy Awards, becoming the first woman of Asian descent to win the award. She won the statuette for her performance in Everything Everywhere All at Once. In 2022, Time listed her among the 100 most influential people on the planet, but let's take a step back...
Getty Images
The beginnings in Britain
While living in Great Britain she experimented with ballet, contemporary dance and jazz, but an accident to her spine forced her to stop. However, Michelle Yeoh has other cards to play, so she shelves her path as a dancer and puts her physicality at the service of martial arts and acting.
Getty Images (collage)
Return to Malaysia
In 1983, at the age of 21, 20-year-old Yeoh returned to Malaysia, where she won the Miss Malaysia World pageant. She was Malaysia's representative at the Miss World 1983 pageant in London, where she finished 18th. In the same year, she travelled to Australia where she won the Miss Moomba International 1984 pageant. Then came acting..
Getty Images
Career as an "acrobat" actress
Michelle Yeoh rose to fame in the 1990s after starring in a series of Hong Kong action films in which she performed stunts, such as 'Yes, Madam' (1985), 'Magnificent Warriors' (1987) , 'Police Story 3: Supercop' (1992), 'The Heroic Trio' (1993) and 'Holy Weapon' (1993). Her first acting job was in a TV commercial for Guy Laroche watches with Jackie Chan.
Getty Images
International recognition
After moving to the United States, Yeoh gained international recognition for her roles in the James Bond film 'Tomorrow Never Dies' (1997) and Ang Lee's martial arts films 'Crouching Tiger' and 'Hidden Dragon', the latter for which she was nominated for a BAFTA award for Best Actress in a Leading Role.
Getty Images
An all-around performer
But it doesn't end there; Michelle Yeoh has been involved in the Star Trek franchise, playing Phillipa Georgiou in the series "Star Trek: Discovery" and in Marvel film franchises, playing Aleta Ogord in "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" and Ying Nan in "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings".
ANSA
Congratulations Michelle!
If the world only discovers her now that she has won the most important award at the age of 60, it matters little. Michelle Yeoh has written important pages in Hollywood and beyond, and the world of film and entertainment has finally recognised her worth. The actress wished to thank mothers all over the world, the true heroines, and dedicated the award to little boys and girls all over the world, so that they will not stop dreaming big. A well-deserved statuette, congratulations Michelle!
Informativa ai sensi della Direttiva 2009/136/CE: questo sito utilizza solo cookie tecnici necessari alla navigazione da parte dell'utente in assenza dei quali il sito non potrebbe funzionare correttamente.