Michelle Yeoh on why winning the Oscar for best actress matters | One-on-One with Stephanie Ruhle

Actor Michelle Yoh opens up about why an Oscar for her performance in “Everything Everywhere All At Once” is not just about her, the changes she’s seeing in Hollywood, and why older women can be action heroes just like the guys.
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#msnbc #michelleyeoh #oscars

[@sermon09]

She’s pretty authentic, not pretending she doesn’t want the oscar

[@yvonneplant9434]

If she wins it will be for lifetime achievement.

[@dacrimsoncurse]

She wants it, not for her But for every asian girl that looks like her

[@RVandergeld]

@@yvonneplant9434 Nope. Its for her best performance of the year. She deserves it as much as Cate.

[@gabelogan5877]

Because pretending she doesn't want the Oscar won't get her or any woman of color the Oscar. The Academy Awards are rarely about merit alone. You have to campaign to get that award unless you're Streep, Blanchett, or McDormand. Those ladies are just handed the awards with little or no campaigning because the Academy is 80 percent white.

[@gabelogan5877]

@@yvonneplant9434 Only a racist would say that.

[@darrenlockenheart]

Beyond identity politics, a Michelle Yeoh win at the Academy Awards would be a lot more inspired for a myriad of reasons, but perhaps most of all it would help alleviate the persistent genre bias that ONLY serious dramatic acting is worthy of an Oscar. Sure, her performance has dramatic moments, but it’s also a layered tour de force that encompasses comedy, sci-fi, and martial arts, among others; hopefully, moving forward, her win would allow actresses delivering a performance that’s beyond the staid-and-solemn (some of the most recent examples include Toni Collette in Hereditary and Lupita Nyong’o in Us) a chance to be recognized via a nomination or even better, a win. When we think of exemplary acting, we think of someone who looks, speaks, and acts like, say, Cate Blanchett - Yeoh’s fellow nominee this year - and plays roles like Lydia Tár. She’s the type of actress that gets canonized and does roles that also get canonized in the media and major award shows. But why is that? What makes someone who looks, speaks, and acts like Michelle Yeoh or an Evelyn Wang type of role less Oscar-worthy or canonized? Why should it remain that way too? These are questions that WE need to interrogate ourselves with as an audience. “Diversity” doesn’t - and shouldn’t - boil down to race and race only. In the context of a performance, it should also extend to the type of film the nominated role appears in, the type of role itself, the language used in the film, and the nominee’s age (so yes, the Academy needs to nominate and reward both younger AND older actresses - on that note, a Michelle Yeoh win would also hopefully alleviate the age bias and show that it is possible for an older actress to triumph against her younger, more media-favored counterparts), to name but a few. But above all, I think anyone in their right mind would agree that it IS ludicrous how there’s only been exactly ONE non-white actress to win Best Actress thus far, in the nearly a century that the institution has been around. Plain and simple, it’s wrong and unjust. Surely there have been countless outstanding performances over these past few decades by non-white actresses worthy of a nomination or even a win? Michelle Yeoh gave one of those and is rightfully being considered as a winner, so why not rectify the situation and just let her win? I think people need to realize that as local as the Academy Awards are, the ceremony is broadcast worldwide and has a major international impact beyond the American media. A Michelle Yeoh win, and an EEAAO sweep, would send a strong message: “We’re ready to welcome the future and reimagine it from this point forward.” As I said, at this point it’s really just a question of whether the Academy is choosing to remain safe and predictable, or to do right and just by their own tenet, which is to reward artistic excellence in acting. Clearly, there are so many ways to demonstrate excellence as there are so many kinds of people in this world, especially in the acting world.

[@RVandergeld]

Well said. Thank you.

[@pauldesert2541]

well said

[@tengjoolee]

Excellent comments! TQ

[@sueshien]

100% on point

[@RaymondHng]

The Screen Actors Guild Awards being broadcasted in Hong Kong was the reason why James Hong started his acceptance speech in Cantonese. He later recounted, “The producers [during the early years of his career] said the Asians were not good enough and they are not box office. But look at us now!”

[@sooyadaisies]

The thing i love the most about Michelle is that she's never afraid or hesitating to say the truth that must be told. A woman of color saying that yes, she wants and DESERVES that recognition for the incredible work she does and is proud to have done, knowing the importance of everything she's achieved not just for herself but for a whole community. Like finally giving that Oscar to her is something so much bigger than the award itself. She had one of the best performances of the year, in a movie and with a character that will be relevant and remembered for generations, not to mention her being one of the greatest actors of all time... I honestly don't know anyone more worthy of the major honor of this industry than her. AND IT'S ABOUT TIME.

[@KootFloris]

As a white European non immigrant national I loved that movie, for it's Wow, Asian immigrant stories, with amazing actors (James Wong too) deserving such roles, for it's fantasy, for its finally NOT a Good Kills Bad at the end, and for it's universality, of family and generational issues. And when Michelle says more Asian representation I think also more Reservoir Dogs, Hasan Minhaj, Kenyan Actors, etc, as long as the drama is universal.

[@tonikarl575]

Michelle deserves much more! I love her💗

[@kimh7594]

Michelle’s ending moments of this interview is so touching and she very much deserves to win. Rooting for her so much. What a true inspiration ❤

[@dangerfly]

I was really caught off guard for the ending of this interview and Michelle's articulation and honesty gave it a certain weight. I may have appreciated her acting, but now I'm a fan of her as a person...

[@brianjohnston6132]

I've loved her since Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, and her performance in Everything, Everywhere, All at Once was masterful. If she doesn't win Best Actress, it's a travesty.

[@yvonneplant9434]

She had a big career before that as you probably know.

[@IsaDesOsiers]

I am really really rooting for Michelle Yeoh to win this Oscar 2023! She is such an amazing actor, and has been under appreciated for so long.

[@UkeCan1]

Stephanie Ruhles. Love their connection at the end. So moving.

[@rogerfarias4506]

Arguments?

[@tab5470]

Very thoughtful and authentic interview! Love Machelle Yeoh and Stepanie Ruhle.

[@Lommy9999]

She is regal, stunning, a class act, beautiful, elegant, powerful. And those glasses are gorgeous on her.

[@pipeporo7316]

love how honest she is, many were aspired by her personalities, work ethics etc. yes her winning do matters to a lot of people. all the best Michelle!

[@bingyum]

She has always been done of my most favorite actress's...

[@aurora_occidentalis2248]

It's "actresses." No apostrophe is needed to form the plural in English. Better still, in contemporary usage: "actors."

[@roryn-dv6dc]

Or called an artist. But it was close enough. Who cares really.

[@aurora_occidentalis2248]

​@@roryn-dv6dc "Artist" isn't incorrect. It _is_ imprecise. "Actor" works best.

[@assumenoform4833]

@@aurora_occidentalis2248 what did you achieve with this comment....? do you even know if they're native speakers? get a life

[@aurora_occidentalis2248]

@@assumenoform4833 No sé, pero el idioma inglés es muy importante para mí. Y tú?

[@AndreinaGarban]

Michelle Yeoh... the amazing Michelle Yeoh... and those tears are tears of a long wonderful career, the tears of a ballerina that was hurt, the tears of thousands of stunts, daring to break barriers, broken bones and danger but bravery and grace; the tears of dreams evaporated and the determination to keep going. Those tears are the tears of someone who has been doing her very best over and over and over; and this movie was a perfect display of an immense talent. Those tears are tears of wondering what else do I need to do to prove I am good enough? Those are the tears of someone who is a great as the bests beyond race, color, religion or circumstances. Those are the tears of the woman who knows she keeps giving and giving of her talent and still she needs to struggle to get the chance to star in a great movie. Those are the tears of someone who is strong but also, pours out her vulnerability with brutal honesty and says: Yes I want to win. Those are the tears of someone who is giving her very best and still needs to justify the fact that she is as talented as the great ones because the odds are still against her. The tears of a long prolific and brilliant career that doesn't deserve to be relegated or ignored anymore. She's more than deserving. Her Evelyn Wang is a beautiful display of mothers trying and trying in a chaotic world. Dear Michelle, you are already a winner. A great winner. Thank you for the gift of your precious talent. It's a blessing.

[@markzzzzberg1312]

wow, that's a wonderful words right there

[@jorgepacheco9845]

She was so good in EEAAO. The whole cast deserves to win!!!!

[@rnd322]

Michelle deserves to have it because she was excellent in it-showcasing the range that she has in a multi-genre film. She deserves to have it because her talent is like no other in this movie industry. She deserves to have it because her talent defies age, gender, and the limited opportunities that she has had with her ethnicity. She deserves to have it because it is TIME.

[@3l3llala13]

TIME for what ? If she deserves it for her acting in her current film then great, give her the Oscar. But don't give her one because golly gee, we have to give the award to an Asian actress this year.

[@sixtynine2856]

​@@3l3llala13 You must be fun at parties

[@rnd322]

@@3l3llala13 Funny that the ENTIRE comment was about her talent and yet you used the “being Asian” as a counterpoint. For sure this argument works for 95 years of Oscars. And for sure, there’s no other outstanding “Asian” performances in this category for 95 years.

[@bringiton5282]

Wow ❤️That was so heartwarming ! It's like she wants to win an Oscar to tell her mom that she too, as an Asian woman, could have had a shot at earning a living making movies and winning the highest award there is in moviemaking. It's like a love letter from daughter to mother.

[@cigarlady]

A rich, deep, honest interview indeed. Excellent substance. Go Michelle Yeoh! 🌷🌷🌷

[@samihadances2792]

I was initially rooting for Cate but after I watched EEAAO I really started rooting for Michelle. I would be overjoyed if she finally gets recognised. Inshallah she will get her Oscar.

[@pucciann]

Gorgeous Stephanie ♥thank you. Thank you Michelle for all you have shared with us🙏

[@alohadave13]

WOW! Great interview. The last minute was INCREDIBLE!

[@joannew-schmidhammer9325]

As a Caribbean-Asian woman, Michelle Yeoh's Oscar and other wins means so much! For four decades this incredible and gifted actor toiled in the vineyard. So thrilled for her, her co-actors, Malaysia. The US film industry is waking up !!

[@Pssybart]

Like many people, I'm really cynical about the Oscars. Especially if you look at how they treat animation. But still I can't help but care for them when a movie like EEAaO is nominated. Hollywood needs more movies like this, so now's our chance to give it all the recognition it deserves.

[@pneumanaut1]

I’m curious to your answer: specifically what is it about this film that makes it the “kind of movie Hollywood needs to make more” of? Why?

[@Pssybart]

@@pneumanaut1 In short: a movie that takes risks. It's an action movie by an indie studio that doesn't rely on an existing IP. It stars a middle-aged asian woman. Despite its lower budget it has way more interesting effects and fight scenes than a Marvel movie like Shang-Chi. And the movie doesn't mind being weird. Original films like The Northman and The Last Duel often bomb nowadays. It shows that in today's film industry there is very little room for risk taking and originality. But when a movie like EEAaO performs THIS well, it just gives me hope that there are still studio executives out there who will fund projects like these.

[@jenniferchiang8759]

Yes it's inspiring when a film full of love and chaos the same time can win Oscar awards. it's all about how a story was told I believe the history is still in the making !

[@mikebasil4832]

@@jenniferchiang8759 Also this film has made the multiverse more popular than ever in cinema history. Any actress who can help make such a film succeed, as Michelle and Jamie Lee have, deserves praise.

[@joeyho5134]

Michelle Yeoh, congratulations. In my opinion, you've deserved this award over the years many times over.

[@JowanaBueser]

I love that she said awards matter. It's easy for people to dismiss awards as self-congratulatory activities, but it's part of their livelihood. And to see your White peers keep getting recognized for years, you start wondering what is the point of all this. That's why it matters. (Seriously. You cannot tell me only one woman of color gave a "best lead performance" in 94 years of the Academy.)

[@redstarchrille]

While i dont get why people is so obsessed by other people. Instead of living one's own life. Spending more time looking at others then time spent with ones own family...

[@oenrob98000]

Amen 💖

[@JowanaBueser]

@@redstarchrille We can do both. It's not that hard.

[@CWESTBROOK97]

You took all the words out my mouth. There’s a duality to award ceremonies. is it the ONLY thing that matters NO. BUT it does matter and it does have weight.

[@kindface]

@@JowanaBueser “We can do BOTH” Luv it!

[@BinaRamos1990]

Give her the Oscars please.. Manifesting!

[@Vanfinity88]

She is like this aged wine in the film industry as an actress

[@keys4321]

Congratulations, Michelle!!! Malaysia 🇲🇾🇲🇾🇲🇾 is rooting for YOU (I’m sure the whole movie industry in HK too)!!! Thanks for staying so authentic & always speak your truth

[@adagiobreeze8493]

She nearly broke me with her last response to last question

[@tonikarl575]

Thank you for this interview!

[@jeanneinportland]

I think this is the best interview with Yeoh on her perspective on this movie. So glad she won. Totally deserved it.

[@mosaicpaint3223]

I can feel her pain because it's 60 years of working so hard and the ceiling isn't broken

[@BestoftheBest-oz4ei]

Now that is an honest interview! She made the interviewer teary eyed also!

[@jamesandsusanshortill8713]

Utterly ridiculous that this was her FIRST nomination...she is an EPIC actor

[@johnnolan5579]

This could be a very emotional Oscars, if Yeoh, Quan and Brendan Fraser win well deserved Oscars.

[@TheJoanml]

Ditto❤ imagine that!

[@allaboutsunshines]

AND IF ANGELA BASSETT DOES THE THING! OMG

[@HollisLopez26]

EEAO is going to sweep the Oscars. Michelle will win.

[@dwightmahabir5034]

Michelle Yeoh was the Epitome of Grace in Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon!!!

[@youngtun5980]

Icon of the year 2022 by TIME.... Michelle Yeoh you deserve to Win this coming Oscar...we love 💕 you...she from Malaysia...you know where is Malaysia? Not Wuhan hello......

[@RaymondHng]

Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia

[@wolger]

MY = Michelle Yeoh = Malaysia

[@winli3901]

Malaysian GIRL Boleh!!!!!!

[@wanksiasat3273]

Wow…very inspiring…MY will always be the winner and MY 🇲🇾 hero no matter what…but I pray she gets it this Sunday…adore u too SR…

[@swimmer5971]

Michelle's killing it! ❤❤❤

[@itsayden_dany]

Love Michelle so much 😍

[@lawrenceclemens8494]

I hope... I hope she wins!

[@arjaydelarge]

I LOVE CATE BLANCHET BUT THIS WOMAN DESERVES THE OSCAR FOR BEST ACTRESS! 💫✨

[@hatelovebowel4571]

It still shocks me till this day that Halle Berry is the only non-white actress who've won an Best Actress in 95 years! Michelle we're rooting for you!

[@Thmpr]

I absolutely love Michelle. Such an authentic woman.

[@sonjastokely6723]

Loved the interview, now I need to see the movie.

[@RaymondHng]

The first time I saw it, I had difficulty following the plot, so I just sat back and enjoyed the roller coaster ride. Then I watched it a second time.

[@ayush9791]

You're in for so many surprises . This movie genuinely made me believe that movies are magic

[@szesze-bw8fz]

Michelle Yeoh poured her passion into her work and lifted this movie to another level of it's own! She's got a heart of gold as well!

[@ericforbes4406]

What a great interview!

[@Malefica_Sibylla]

She is not the most recognizable Asian actor, she is the MOST recognizable actor!

[@Poetic_Justice1962]

Michelle Yeoh is really a teacher. A teacher of humanity. She bridges gaps before unbridgable, and does it so eloquently

[@Beautyabove]

My new hero! Michelle Yeoh!

[@RezaGantina]

I love this talk ❤❤

[@sandysuma]

Thanks for this awesome interview. Michelle Yeoh help break barriers for the struggles of being accepted and understood for all people, not just for Asians and women.

[@tnays17]

I’m rooting hard for Michelle Yeoh no offense to cate blanchett she is an amazing period film actress can successfully do any genre however she already has 2 statues give the Oscar to Michelle Yeoh who earned this.

[@farisshah6060]

This isn’t life achievement award. Stop treating like it’s one.

[@tab5470]

My 15 yo daughter watched Everything Everywhere All at Once and bawling her eyes out... I love Michelle Yoeh in the Crazy Rich Asian, especially the opening scene of the movie when checked in a hotel...I could totally relate to it.

[@winli3901]

"check in a hotel" part, not anymore, they bow to rich asians now......

[@TheJoscelyne]

I stan the Michelle Yeoh/ Jamie Lee Curtis friendship.

[@kindface]

Stephanie Ruhle…. Loved her intelligence in Bloomberg and love her intelligence here! Go Michelle Yeoh!

[@kitano0]

Stephanie has her own vibe, intelligence with warmth...probably my favorite on MSNBC

[@liyitong360]

Hope her gets the Oscar😭😭😭😭😭

[@haochunlee1976]

One of my favourite TV host with one of my favourite actor

[@pairotelee]

CONGRATULATIONS TO A 60-YEAR-OLD ASIAN ACTRESS WHO MANAGED TO WIN THE BEST ACTRESS IN OSCAR! from my home in ' The City of Angels, Bangkok '

[@kinshasav]

Michelle Yeoh is not an extraordinary Asian actress. She is an extraordinary actress ❤

[@matiasgabriel321]

What an amazing Hollywood journey for this amazing asian actress Ms. Michelle Yeoh...2023 Oscar's best actress in a leading role!❤👍

[@Blisteryn]

Beautiful interview.

[@realitymyquest]

Legendary.

[@samjackson5859]

Two amazing women!

[@thomasleung5878]

Michelle Yeoh is Asian’s Meryl Streep ❤️

[@thomasleung5878]

@@michelleyeoh6 Hello Michelle 🙏 if you’re the real Michelle Yeoh, i can give you my email to contact me, if you’re not the real Michelle, please don’t brother. Either way, I’m your big fan and I really thought Crouching Tiger should have gotten Oscars back then, your current success is well deserved and congrats from bottom of my heart ❤️

[@kc8x]

Wow. Just wow. Thank you Michelle

[@tomt5054]

Congrats to Legendary actress!

[@wlcoston]

Love her

[@ParisVan-Del]

I've loved all her works❤

[@Oystermato]

I want to know where those blue glasses are from !!!!!

[@cryptoman9781]

My favorite Michelle’s movies Ms, Madam, Super Cop, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, 007 Tomorrow Never Die, Memoir of Geisha, Crazy rich Asian, Everything everywhere at once.

[@luipakhin2845]

Winning an oscar is something congratulatory but not getting it doesn't mean she lost everything. She deserves almost everything she has accomplished for over the past 40 years.

[@legaspikyrs5818]

Congrats Michelle Yeoh for the Oscar Award

[@EBZ-bx7zc]

She's lovely

[@jenniferchiang8759]

She did it !!! 🏆🏆🏆🏆❤❤❤🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@leovalverde1508]

The only thing that would make this conversation better is Stephanie and Michelle talking about Star Trek! Michelle played incredible roles as Captain Georgieu and Emperess Georgieu.

[@jcgoh5005]

The pride of Malaysia!

[@z-man7883]

She won!

[@got2bjosh]

Loved this interview!

[@janechoy2073]

If Michelle wins on Sunday, it'll be because she has earned it on her on own merit and the majority of the voters believed that she deserved it the most.

[@savingJobutupaki]

Can’t wait to see you accept your Oscar award! ❤❤🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@soonsmyth9981]

Beautiful ❤

[@davidjennydongsong5632]

I want it for you too! Go Michelle!

[@BRAIRCO]

She wants the OSCAR YES or YES, she is crying all around that she deserves the Oscar, Ohhhh my Gosh, please academy give her the award and an standing ovation, that is what she wants so we don’t see her for a while crying around !!!

[@pauleleftheriosroussot9052]

She is absolutely AMAZING! I have loved her and her movies for many years and I truly PRAY she wins the Oscar!! 🎉🎉🎉

[@stephaniekao8831]

So Beautiful And Talented

[@PhotogrrlFilms]

Wow, what a beautiful beautiful interview. I'm speechless.

[@Masa-vg2li]

Listen Blanchett Cate is my favorite actress of all time…. But I want this Oscar to go to Michelle and NO one else. It’s her time, it’s her moment. She might not get this kind of role again, Cate can continue getting those meaty roles

[@ericrypt]

She's one of my fav actresses

[@pinkpandamiranda]

I'm just so happy that she won!

[@KootFloris]

As a white European non immigrant national I loved that movie, for it's Wow, Asian immigrant stories, with amazing actors (James Wong too) deserving such roles, for it's fantasy, for its finally NOT a Good Kills Bad at the end, and for it's universality, of family and generational issues. And when Michelle says more Asian representation I think also more Reservoir Dogs, Hasan Minhaj, Kenyan Actors, etc, as long as the drama is universal.

[@orgkampong]

Ghee this interview.....got something in my eyes & u know what comes after it ?

[@RezaGantina]

Michelle grown witnessing alot of asian talent and stories to tell, but never had a chance, so it is matters

[@kitano0]

Two of my favorite people. Stephanie looks extra-pretty here.

[@suethai7359]

Congratulations Michelle Yeoh 🙏🙏🙏⭐️⭐️⭐️❤️❤️❤️

[@jingfuan3784]

Yes it matters!

[@vaL-kv6uy]

Yay, Michelle! Congratulations! Yes, It does matter and thanks for leading the pack ! For many many y-e-a-r-s, I remember how hard it's been for Asian actors to get roles other than the stereotypical minor roles.

[@loisbarnett2546]

Beautiful. Please, SiStars, no more apologizing for our e/Motions, our tears of Joy and Sadness. Be!

[@fredchong8443]

Michelle Yeoh achieved as the first ever Asia action-movie Hollywood star while Bruce Lee missed it at the peak of his career as an actor!

[@chrismdh]

Incredible interview 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰