Michelle Yeoh Makes History as First Asian Woman to Win Academy Award for Best Actress

Michelle Yeoh made history Sunday night by becoming the first Asian woman to win an Academy Award for best actress. Yeoh won the award for her starring role in the psychedelic comedy drama “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” Yeoh beat out Cate Blanchett for “Tár,” Ana de Armas for “Blonde,” Andrea Riseborough for “To Leslie” and Michelle Williams for “The Fabelmans.”

The win was especially meaningful for Yeoh, who is from a community that Hollywood has historically shut out. In her acceptance speech, Yeoh said, “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.” She also paid tribute to her own mother, echoing the theme of her film which centered heavily on immigrant motherhood.

The win was especially meaningful for many viewers, who nervously waited with bated breath to see if Yeoh would actually win. Her film, “Everything Everywhere All At Once,” remarkably ended up winning seven Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director.

The Academy Award win is a major milestone for Asian representation in Hollywood. For years, the Academy has been criticized for its lack of diversity and inclusion. Yeoh’s win is a sign of progress, and a reminder that dreams can come true.