How `Everything Everywhere All at Once` Became Fateful for Michelle Yeoh

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Michelle Yeoh dedicated her Oscar 2023 victory to her mother and all mothers around the world, emphasizing that one should never give up. The statuette became not only her personal victory, but also a significant step for all Asian actors in the world - she became the first Asian woman to receive this award in the "Best Actress" category. Moreover, in the same season, Michelle also received the Golden Globe for best actress, becoming only the second Asian actress to receive this award. How can one not believe after this that nothing is impossible?

Not a Stereotypical Superhero

In her youth, Michelle, the daughter of Cantonese settled in Malaysia, was a ballerina and the queen of theatrical performances, but then she sustained a spinal injury that put an end to her ballet career. But the ways of fate are inscrutable, and in the end, Michelle became the most recognizable actress in Hong Kong action films of the 90s. In this, she is somewhat similar to her character Evelyn Wang, whom life has also thoroughly shaken up.
Actress Michelle Yeoh
Actress Michelle Yeoh
The actress herself believes that the role in the film "Everything Everywhere All at Once" by the directorial duo The Daniels (Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert) provided a unique opportunity to speak on behalf of the most ordinary mothers and housewives who do the most ordinary things, which are taken for granted by their loved ones, but they are the real superheroines. After all, coping with a heap of problems at moments when all life is collapsing is only capable of those who really have superpowers. According to Yeoh, the ability to find values in the ordinary - and whimsical - is a superpower in itself.

By the way, Michelle is quite a superhero herself, because all the stunts on the shooting stages, starting from her debut in the action movie "Yes, Madam!" (1984) and ending with the infamous "Everything Everywhere All at Once" (2022), she performed herself.
Everything Everywhere All At Once – Trailer
Her level of skill can perhaps only be compared to the skills of Jackie Chan, who, by the way, was initially considered for the lead role in "Everything Everywhere All at Once." And when he refused the role, Yeoh sent him a text message saying, "Your loss!" However, thanks to his refusal, the film's script was rewritten for a female character - thereby giving the film many new meanings.

Never Give Up

Taking the stage for the coveted Oscar statuette, Michelle gave a poignant speech, emphasizing that one should never believe those who say, "Your dawn has already passed."
For all the little boys and girls who look like me, watching tonight, this is the 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.
And Michelle Yeoh at 60 is the brightest confirmation of that. The actress believes that the main secret of her success is that she does not waste time searching for an answer to the eternal question "what if." She is confident that the most important thing in life is to be present in the moment because to reject it means to reject your life.

You can read more about Michelle Yeoh's life path in her biography on zoomboola.com