Proud of our winner
HOW Early yesterday at 7am, members of Tan Shri Michel Yeoh’s family gathered at the Dadi Cinema Pavilion in Kuala Lumpur along with extended family members, friends and entertainment industry guests such as Amber Chia, Sangita Krishnasami and Joyce Harn.
They were all there for the 95th Academy Awards party, which was broadcast live around the world from the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles, California.
From the moment the Oscars began, and for the next three hours or so, the audience at the viewing party was waiting with bated breath for the Best Performance by an Actress nomination, to be announced two awards before award for best film.
Even though they were there primarily because of Yeoh, those in attendance also showed strong support for the film she was starring in. All Everywhere All at once.
The crowd cheered as the film began to win awards ranging from Best Supporting Actress to Best Director, until the triumphant moment arrived when Yeoh won Best Actress.
In her acceptance speech, Yeoh emphasized that her acceptance of the award is a “beacon of hope and opportunity” for all “little boys and girls who look like me.”
“This is proof that dream big and dreams do come true. And ladies, don’t let anyone tell you [that] have you ever passed your prime. Never give up,” said the 60-year-old Malaysian icon.
Yeoh also thanked the film’s directors Daniel Kwan and Daniels Scheinert (Daniels), Studio A24, and the rest of the cast and crew, who also received their respective awards; Daniels won Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and actor Ke Hui Quan won Best Supporting Actor along with several other awards.
Toward the end of her performance, Yeoh saved the best for last and dedicated the victory to her mother, Dating Janet Yeoh, who watched her daughter at the screening in Kuala Lumpur.
“This is for you. I’ll bring it home,” Yeoh said, thanking her family and those in Malaysia who have supported her for decades.
The screening was also attended by Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Datuk Haja Nancy Shukri along with Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Hannah Yeoh.
Later, on behalf of her daughter, Janet received a token of appreciation from Shukri for her contribution to the development of the country as Malaysia’s first Oscar-winning actress.