Everything you missed from the day Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh greeted her fans in Malaysia for the first time since her Oscar win
“I have to dedicate this (award) to my mum. She's watching right now in Malaysia, KL, with my family and friends. I love you guys. I'm bringing this home to you,” Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh said in an emotional speech at the Oscars 2023.
The Malaysian actress had just won and accepted the statuette for Best Actress—a historical win—for her critically acclaimed role in Everything Everywhere All at Once. She's not only the first Malaysian but also the first Asian to have done so.
Read more: How Michelle Yeoh became an Oscar winner
Malaysians erupted into resounding roars and cheers as her name was announced by former Best Actress winners Jessica Chastain and Halle Berry during the live broadcast that March morning. Many more showered Yeoh with beautiful tributes. Three weeks later, it was announced that she would be coming home for the Michelle Yeoh Homecoming Pride of Malaysia private press conference and fan meet at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur—with her Oscar in tow. She kept her promise.
Here are some of the most memorable moments from her homecoming.
"I'm bringing this home to you"
She brought all that and more. During the press conference, we were treated to our first in-person glimpse of the Oscar statuette, which she loving referred to as her "little man" and "Mr O". Yeoh happily obliged to a media scrum taking photographs of her ahead of the scheduled photocall, ensuring everyone got their shots.
"During the journey, everyone was always asking, 'So... do you want the Oscar?' I'm like, 'Yes!' Of course, I want the Oscar. Who doesn't, right? I'm not going to beat around the bush, no, no, because it represents so much to so many of us," Yeoh shared.
See also: 13 of Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh’s most iconic roles
"I must say, I heard the roar of joy and happiness, all across the world to Los Angeles so I thank all of you for having been on that journey with me because I felt your support and strength," she added.