Oscar-winning actress Michelle Yeoh encourages women not to get ‘boxed in’

Michelle Yeoh, winner of the Oscar for best actress last March, has again pleaded for more diversity in the entertainment world. “I’ve been very fortunate to be able to work with very interesting, diverse and forward-thinking directors all the time, which has allowed me to fight for what I truly believe in: representation, diversity and above all the emancipation of women“, said the actress in Kuala Lumpur, during her first press conference in her home country after her Oscar triumph.

“I don’t believe that because we are women we are the weaker sex (…) We should never allow anyone to put us in a box“, she pleaded. The Oscar she received “means so much to many of us“, she continued, adding that she had”heard the cries of joy and happiness around the world all the way to Los Angeles” following his victory.

The Oscars as a spokesperson

Michelle Yeoh, 60, received her Oscar for her role in the crazy comedy Everything Everywhere All At Once, with a mostly Asian cast and which has won seven major awards in total. This crazy feature film has become a symbol for Hollywood, often criticized in recent years for its lack of diversity.

During her press conference, Michelle Yeoh held up the statuette and kissed it in front of the photographers. Asked what advice she would give to young people around the world, she replied: “Don’t become me, be yourself (…) I believe you will be better.“