On March 13, Beijing time, on the podium of the 95th Academy Awards ceremony, the first Chinese "actress" in the history of the Oscars - Michelle Yeoh was "born"!
Michelle Yeoh rode in the fierce competition for this year's Oscars, and she deserved it.
On January 24 this year, the nomination list of the 95th Academy Awards was released, and the fantasy movie "Instantaneous Universe" starring Michelle Yeoh swept the "audience" with 11 nominations, and the limelight was unmatched.
As the heroine of the film, she also became the first Chinese actress nominated for the "queen" since the establishment of the Academy Awards in 1929.
Last year, because she won a number of heavyweight awards in succession, she was also selected as the "Idol of the Year" in 2022 by Time Magazine, and was the first Asian actress to win this honor.
At the Oscars, Michelle Yeoh held the trophy and said:
"I hope all women, don't listen to anyone saying that you have long passed your golden period, and never give up!"
Her life has never given up because of age and tribulations, and every inch of her life is personally "beaten" down.
"The First Heroine of the East"
Michelle Yeoh was born in Malaysia in 1962 to a Chinese family, her father was Dato' and her grandfather had his own property and was known as the "Father of Transport in Malaysia".
She began studying ballet at the age of 4 and was admitted to the Royal Academy of Dance at the age of 15, when she aspired to become a ballet artist like Margot Fontine.
Later, due to a spinal injury, Michelle Yeoh was forced to stop her love of dance and switch to dance-related art courses.
When she was young, she had a wide range of interests: painting, piano, horse riding, swimming, badminton, downhill skiing... She seems to have wings in every hobby.
In 1983, her mother registered her for the "Miss Malaysia" beauty pageant, and Michelle Yeoh overwhelmed the crowd and became the champion of that year.
Michelle Yeoh in her youth
The following year, she devoted herself to acting.
In Hong Kong in the 80s of the 20th century, action movies and comedies were popular, but action movies at that time were swept up by male actors, and actresses were often vulnerable characters such as princesses in distress and orphan girls who were bullied.
In the first film "Owl and Dumbo", Michelle Yeoh played a girl who was always bullied.
A still from "The Owl and the Dumbo"
When Sammo Hung and Lin Zixiang were fighting, Michelle Yeoh was watching carefully on the side, and slowly had a lot of realization: "I studied dance, and I think martial arts movements and ballet have something in common. ”
She hoped that Sammo Hung would take her as an apprentice, but Sammo Hung refused, thinking that a wealthy man could not suffer from filming.
At that time, the development path that the film company tailored for her was also just to make a beautiful "vase", but Michelle Yeoh could not accept it, and under her soft and hard bubble, Sammo Hung finally agreed to let her try it in Hong's class.
At that time, she studied and practiced hard, lifting weights, sandbags, running, and training five or six hours a day.
A still from "Royal Senior Sister"
In 1985, she starred in her first action film "Royal Senior Sister", playing a dashing and capable girl with a gun, who independently completed a series of dangerous actions.
She has always been unyielding, and in the next kung fu films, she showed her skills and began her career as the "first kung fu actress".
In 1995, Michelle Yeoh had an accident while filming the movie "The Story of Akin", she jumped off an 18-meter-high bridge, broke her cervical vertebrae, broke 3 ribs, and was almost paralyzed.
A still from "Akin's Story"
Michelle Yeoh later recalled the scene at that time, and still had palpitations:
"At that moment, my head was in the gap between the two mats, and then the legs almost folded, and I could clearly feel my feet hitting the back of my head."
In a trance, she saw the frightened and stupid director Xu Anhua in front of the camera burst into tears.
In those years, she suffered countless injuries, falling from heights, fighting with people, breaking bones and tendons, but she never flinched.
Screenshot of "Police Story 3"
At that time, her salary far exceeded that of Anita Mui and Lin Qingxia, but because she never used a stand-in during filming, she had to complete many dangerous actions by herself, so she was pulled into the blacklist of the insurance industry:
"Jackie Chan, Jet Li and I, there is no insurance company in Hong Kong willing to sell insurance to us."
In 1997, she entered Hollywood with the 007 series of movies "Tomorrow's Empire", as the 18th Bond girl, Michelle Yeoh partnered with Pierce Brosnan, creating a new image of bold, independent and confident Chinese women.
This image of agile, tough, and courageous Chinese women was extremely rare in Hollywood before.
Screenshot of "Empire of Tomorrow"
The previous 17 Bond girls, almost without exception, were sexy and enchanting, making people feel bloody, and most of their vivid colors and "flower fist embroidery legs" were used as a foil for James Bond's huge personal charm.
American newspapers and magazines once said of her:
Michelle Yeoh is not the first Bond girl to be equal to Bond, but she is the only woman who attracts people's attention and has made a name for herself in Hollywood with her beautiful skills.
In Hollywood, a Vanity Fair that is still full of prejudice, Michelle Yeoh continues to be recognized as an Asian actress. And this recognition will gradually break down some unjust underlying rules.
With her unremitting fighting spirit, she has become an internationally renowned "Asian action diva" and won the reputation of "the first heroine in the East".
Breaking through the solidification "symbol"
After establishing the image of a generation of "beating women", Michelle Yeoh is naturally defined as "hitting stars", but she is also working hard to break this solidified "symbol".
In 1999, in Ang Lee's Oscar-winning film "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", she starred as the heroine Yu Xiulian.
A still from "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"
Although she has experienced a lot of battles, she was injured shortly after the movie was filmed.
That scene was a stand-in fight between Michelle Yeoh and Zhang Ziyi, Zhang Ziyi was masked, and Michelle Yeoh chased after her. Filmed 7 night martial arts in a row, the shots of each martial arts action are very lengthy, there are dozens of moves in each round, turning, kicking, sparring...
One move and one style, swift and fierce.
As a result, after the play, Michelle Yeoh's leg ligaments were completely ruptured, requiring immediate surgery, which took an estimated 3 months.
A still from "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"
At that time, "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" had just started filming for a month, and Ang Lee did not want to change people, and he said to Michelle Yeoh: "You get your body right, we will wait for you to come back." ”
The reason why Ang Lee is so persistent is because he feels that Michelle Yeoh is irreplaceable:
"Looking at the world, Yu Xiulian's role is only Michelle Yeoh, and no one else. No matter in terms of film industry, business, age, quality, it's her! ”
After Michelle Yeoh returned from going to the United States for medical treatment, she filmed a farewell scene with Li Mubai in a cave, when her injured foot was mounted on a chair and only took a close-up view of her face.
At that scene, she cried so hard that she was broken.
Ang Lee and Michelle Yeoh
Years later, Ang Lee still has a heart when he recalls the shooting scene:
I know that she is crying not only about Yu Xiulian's grievances, but about how much bitterness she has.
The bitterness of my own filming was also stirred during the shooting, and tears were shed behind the camera. Because of the dream scene, many tosses, finally saw and photographed, I was very moved.
In the film, she vividly shows Yu Xiulian's stoic and calm personality and suppressed and affectionate inner world, and plays the bitterness and sadness of parting with Li Mubai from life and death and cannot be loved, which is even more tear-jerking.
"When it comes to acting, Michelle Yeoh is a special case I've seen. After many years in the film, he is already a big star, and there is that innocence. She is as innocent and curious as a child, as if she has been waiting for this role all her life. ”
The success of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" has surprised people to find that this extraordinary kung fu film actress is no longer fighting the world with her fists and feet, and her accurate presentation of the characters' hearts and delicate handling of emotions have allowed her to transform smoothly.
Before "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", Michelle Yeoh had already intended to transition to literary films.
In 1997, in "The Song Family Dynasty" directed by Zhang Wanting, she incarnated the worldly and stable Song Ailing and was nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the Hong Kong Film Awards that year.
"Song Family Dynasty", Michelle Yeoh partners Maggie Cheung and Wu Junmei
After being widely praised in "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", Michelle Yeoh began to make pure literary films one after another.
In 2005, in "Memoirs of a Geisha", she played the role of Japan's palace-level geisha Mamiha, as a generation of famous women, Mamiwa not only has both color and art, but also has a survival philosophy that is both right and right: "We don't become geisha to pursue our dreams, we become geisha because we have no choice." ”
A still from "Memoirs of a Geisha"
In the movie, Michelle Yeoh not only reproduces the elegance and moving of Zhenmeiyu, but also interprets her resourcefulness into a real and natural way.
6 years later, in "Aung San Suu Kyi" directed by the famous French director Luc Besson, Michelle Yeoh played Aung San Suu Kyi.
She vividly demonstrated the strength and compassion of Aung San Suu Kyi as a politician.
A still from "Aung San Suu Kyi"
When the film was released in 2011, Ang Lee commented: "I always thought that "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" was Michelle Yeoh's pinnacle, but in fact, "Aung San Suu Kyi" is her pinnacle, and I was really moved. ”
At the end of 2018, in the movie "Crazy Rich Asians", Michelle Yeoh played a Singaporean noblewoman, in the film, her performance overshadowed the limelight of the mixed-race actor, and even some media regarded her as a strong contender for the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.
Screenshot of "Crazy Rich Asians"
Zhu Haowei, the director of "Crazy Rich Asians", spoke highly of Michelle Yeoh: "She should have more recognition, she and Meryl Streep should be on the same level." ”
Over the years since her debut, Michelle Yeoh has won many honors such as Best Actress at the 5th Asian Film Awards, Special Award at the 62nd Cannes International Film Festival and Best Actress at the 80th Golden Globe Awards.
Previously, Michelle Yeoh won the 80th American Film and Television Golden Globe Awards for Best Actress in a Musical/Comedy Category for "Instantaneous Universe".
Michelle Yeoh is the first Chinese woman to receive the "World Outstanding Youth Award", and she has also received the "Chevalier Medal of Honor" from the French Ministry of Culture.
A woman who loves sex
A person who stirs up the world of martial arts, but in life, he is a person who is very emotional.
Michelle Yeoh is easy-going and frank, and in the eyes of many people, she is a friend worthy of deep friendship.
When she filmed "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", she was already a well-known actor, and at that time, Zhang Ziyi was still a newcomer, but she had no shelves and often patiently guided Zhang Ziyi.
When she performed "Memoirs of a Geisha" with Gong Li and Zhang Ziyi, she enthusiastically taught the two of them English, and she was as cordial as the sister next door.
In the early years, Michelle Yeoh had close personal friendships with Chow Yun-fat, Leslie Cheung, Anita Mui and others.
Like Anita Mui, she has a masculine spirit in her bones.
They are sympathetic and sympathetic to each other.
When they sang together, Anita Mui would translate subtitles for her sentence by sentence; When she was injured, Anita Mui would intimately accompany her to the doctor.
Later, Anita Mui suffered from cancer, and even if she was busy filming, she would find time to visit her.
Anita Mui and Michelle Yeoh
When Anita Mui died, Michelle Yeoh put down her work, rushed to the hospital, said her final goodbye to her best confidant, and broke the tradition of women not helping the soul at her funeral, and saw off her friend Fuling with Zhang Minyi.
In 2004, Michelle Yeoh took home the "Inspiring Spirit Award" of the MTV Asian Music Awards, her last music award.
In 2012, in an interview with "Jiaren", Michelle Yeoh said that Anita Mui's death was the saddest thing for her.
Even years later, when Anita Mui was mentioned in front of the media, she still couldn't help herself.
Michelle Yeoh understands Anita Mui's spiritual pursuit, even in the last days of her life, marrying her life to the stage singer still has to hold a concert, "We all support her, although it is hard, but she feels that it is worth it".
If you do not forget, there will be an echo
Michelle Yeoh's career is brilliant and she is very emotional, but her emotional road has been full of twists and turns.
In 1983, when Michelle Yeoh participated in the Miss Malaysia beauty pageant, she met Pan Disheng, the owner of Hong Kong's Debao Film Company, and the two fell in love at first sight.
Later, Michelle Yeoh came to Hong Kong to develop under the recommendation of Dikson Pan.
Michelle Yeoh and Dison Pan
Disheng Pan tailor-made the "Royal Senior Sister" series for Michelle Yeoh.
In 1988, Michelle Yeoh married Pan Disheng, and after marriage, she took a comprehensive break at Pan Disheng's request and concentrated on being Pan Disheng's benefactor.
She faded her lead, washed her hands and made soup, but she was no match for the changes of time and people's hearts.
Three years later, she sadly ended her first marriage.
In June 1999, Michelle Yeoh was engaged to Alan, an American cardiologist, but the other party also asked her to stop shadowing and settle in the United States with her.
This requirement may not be harsh for the average person, but for Michelle Yeoh, it seems to be a repeat of the failed marriage of the past.
She will not repeat the mistakes of the past, and she is not willing to hand over the initiative of life again.
In 2000, Michelle Yeoh and Zhong Zaisi, president of Haohan Film Company, met, and the two fell in love for 4 years, but unfortunately did not go to the end.
The gentleman is cut off and does not speak ill of it. She never complained about those who left her.
She once said: "I have known many such people before, elegant and dignified, but yet dignified. I don't yell that is a loss of identity, and people with real authority won't speak loudly, let alone spend energy on anyone, which will only damage themselves. ”
The talented son Huang Xiao once admired Michelle Yeoh's cultivation: "In terms of generosity and decency, Ziqiong is really the first Chinese actress I know, and her connotation is definitely not dressed up by one or two famous fashion or expensive jewelry." ”
In 2004, Michelle Yeoh met Jean Todd, former Ferrari Managing Director.
Years later, Todd still can't forget the love at first sight with Michelle Yeoh at that time, he has always been accustomed to big scenes, and he is like a teenager who has just opened his love...
Michelle Yeoh and Jean Todd
So far, Todd has proposed to her more than ten times, but Michelle Yeoh is not mentally ready to get married.
Although the two did not enter the palace of marriage, every time Todd attended an important occasion, he took Michelle Yeoh with him, and introduced him every time: "This is my woman." ”
38 years ago, she could have been clothed and fed, but she embarked on an extremely difficult and long road of "chivalrous woman";
28 years ago, she insisted on not using a stand-in and jumped off an 18-meter-high bridge;
18 years ago, she fell in love with Todd, who was not the most advantageous among many suitors, and all three were actually the same, but they followed the choices made by their hearts.
"Last night the wind and snow fell on the head, and in this life I will be with Qing Baishou."
In feelings, in career, if you do not forget, there will be an echo.
Not long ago, Michelle Yeoh bluntly said in an interview with the US media:
"Would I love to win an award? Yes, I would love to.
"It's very important because it's like a light shining on a lot of people like me in this world, people who have never been accepted."
Now, she has finally got her wish - just like the shocking guest in the world, the ink dyes the stars and the clouds.
Resources
1. Polar News | Congratulations Michelle Yeoh! Oscar's first Chinese "actress"!
2. Lu Yu has an appointment | Michelle Yeoh will continue to do so sixteen years later
3. "The Biography of Ang Lee: A Movie Dream in Ten Years"
4. Movie Lady | How to evaluate Michelle Yeoh
5. Visual Variety | Hollywood's 100-year entertainment bible
6. Exclusive Movies | 58-year-old Michelle Yeoh has been happy for 16 years, her boyfriend knelt down when they first met, and the car king Schumacher personally supported him
Source: Meet Yujianjmqq, read with you about all the phases of the world, taste the variety of life, and finally, find a path of self-cultivation.