Not Oscars, Olympics Was on Target for Michelle Yeoh: “Never Dreamt of Being an Actress”

Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh rose to fame for entertaining global fans with great panache. In most of her films, she performed the stunts herself without any external assistance. Some of those movies include Magnificent Warriors (1987), Yes Madam (1985), and Police 3: Supercop (1992) among others. This proved that her dominance in the Hong Kong film industry was patently based on her athletic attributes. But peak success glided in her life when she moved to the US.

International recognition ensued from her appearance in Ang Lee’s martial arts films and the James Bond film, Tomorrow Never Dies. Thus began her journey to the top which culminated when she bagged the Oscar for her 2022 masterpiece. But was Yeoh always on the run to join this industry? Or did she have a knack for something else?

Michelle Yeoh’s love for Olympics dates back to childhood

As a member of the International Olympic Committee, Yeoh received a welcome to the eight-member Olympic body at a ceremony in Mumbai. After her oath-taking ceremony, the 61-year-old told the reporters, “I remember when someone asked me, how did you become an actress? I always said, ‘I never dreamt of being an actress, but as a child I always dreamt of being an Olympian”. 

She further continued, “Sports was very much part of my life growing up, I was very much involved with squash, athletics, swimming and diving”. But was the former junior squash champion not overwhelmed by her IOC invite? She was. “They are very tight-knit. So it took me a little while to ensure this is what I do believe in and I need to be part of this family”, was her following statement. Let’s shift a little from her athletic qualities and take a look at what awarded her the Oscar.

The world marvels at Yeoh

In 2022, Michelle Yeoh played the role of a laundromat owner Evelyn Quan Wang in the science fiction movie Everything Everywhere All at Once. Besides it was a science fiction, it was also a comedy made by the Daniels duo, which made it to people’s hearts. In that spectacle, her magnanimous presence as a fine actor caught the eyes of  David Ehrlich. The critic had unabashedly said,  “greatest performance that Michelle Yeoh has ever given”. Several awards followed.

The Oscar as the first Malaysian actress, her first Golden Globe, her first Independent Spirit, her first Critics’ Choice, and her second BAFTA. The Academy Award for Best Actress also came to her purse as the second “woman of color” to ever win it. Now an activist, the 61-year-old balances personal life and career easily.

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