She is the first Asian actress to receive the honor in Academy history.

History was made this evening when <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/michelle-yeoh-young-everything-everywhere-all-at-once-actress-facts" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Michelle Yeoh</a> took home Best Actress at the <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/academy-awards-2023-oscars-red-carpet-celebrity-looks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2023 Academy Awards</a>. Part sci-fi, comedy, action film, and family drama, Yeoh&rsquo;s starring role as immigrant laundromat owner Evelyn Wang in <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/best-michelle-yeoh-movies-everything-everywhere-all-at-once-crazy-rich-asians" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Everything All At Once</a> is a testament to her tremendous range as an actress. The cherry on top of an illustrious four-decade-long career, her victory is both long overdue and highly deserved.&nbsp;
After decades of captivating performances in Tomorrow Never Dies, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/celebrate-crazy-rich-asians-success-though-it-s-favorite-activity-shopping">Crazy Rich Asians</a>, and many more, the Malaysian-born actress had yet to receive the film industry&rsquo;s highest honors until this year. Just a few weeks ago, Yeoh became the first Asian woman to win a leading film acting award at the <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/2023-sag-awards-red-carpet-fashion-style" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SAG Awards</a>. Tonight, she broke a new record.&nbsp;

Prior to Yeoh, Merle Oberon was the first woman of Asian descent to receive an Oscar nomination for <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/halle-berry-biggest-disappointment-after-winning-oscar" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Best Actress</a>, however, at the time, she did not openly identify with her Asian heritage for fear of racial biases. That was in 1935. It&rsquo;s taken the Academy over 85 years to recognize another Asian actress in the category. <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/michelle-yeoh-best-red-carpet-looks-fashion-actress-style-90s-2000s" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Yeoh</a>&rsquo;s Oscar win is monumental for several reasons: it honors an actress whose talent, grace, and versatility have influenced film for decades; represents a triumph for Asian actors who have so long been excluded from the silver screen; more broadly, the win sets a precedent for diversity in film, pointing towards a promising new future for the industry. Cheers to Yeoh finally receiving her flowers. &nbsp;
In her speech, she spoke to the young Asian children watching at home, saying, "For all the little boys and girls who look like me watching tonight, this is a beacon of hope and possibilities." She also made a point to speak to women watching: "Ladies, don't let anyone tell you that you are past your prime."

Michelle Yeoh Wins Best Actress at the 2023 Academy Awards

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