Michelle Yeoh’s mom tearful, proud of ‘little princess’

© Provided by The Associated Press Janet Yeoh, mother of Michelle Yeoh, celebrates after her daughter won in the best actress category during the 95th Academy Awards in Los Angeles, as seen in a live view event at a cinema in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Monday, March 13, 2023. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Michelle Yeoh’s mother cried for joy for her “little princess” when the Malaysian performer became the first Asian to win the best actress Oscar.

© Provided by The Associated Press Janet Yeoh, second right, mother of Michelle Yeoh, celebrates after her daughter won in the best actress category during the 95th Academy Awards in Los Angeles, as seen in a live view event at a cinema in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Monday, March 13, 2023. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Yeoh’s family and two Cabinet ministers were among the supporters roaring with joy at Yeoh’s win during a special Academy Awards viewing party in Malaysia on Monday morning. Her trophy for her performance as a laundromat owner was one of seven Oscars for “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” including best picture.

© Provided by The Associated Press Janet Yeoh, mother of Michelle Yeoh, speaks to media members during a live view event at a cinema in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Monday, March 13, 2023, as the 95th Academy Awards was held in Los Angeles. Michelle Yeoh was nominated for the best actress category. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Janet Yeoh, 84, praised the actor as intelligent and hardworking and a filial daughter.

“I so love my daughter and she has made Malaysia proud,” Yeoh told a news conference after the viewing at a cinema in Kuala Lumpur. ”Malaysia Boleh (Malaysia Can)! ”

Janet Yeoh said she was immensely proud of “my little princess,” who wanted to be a ballerina before entering the movie world. Yeoh said she pushed her daughter out of her cocoon despite protests from her late husband, a lawyer whom she described as “old-fashioned.”

In her acceptance speech, Yeoh dedicated her award to her mother and said “all the moms in the world” were the real superheroes.

“It was such a jaw-dropping moment. I was speechless, I cried,” said Vicki Yeoh, Michelle Yeoh’s niece, who was at the special viewing. “The nominees are really strong, but we had no doubt. We keep telling her that you will win…you will stand on the stage with the golden man.”

Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, who was at the viewing, immediately posted on social media: “Most inspiring quote for all of us aunties – “Ladies, don’t let anybody ever tell you that you are past your prime” – Michelle Yeoh.”

Lawmakers Sim Tze Sin and Wee Ka Siong thanked Michelle Yeoh for “breaking glass ceilings” for Asian and Malaysian women. They praised her for being an icon for resilience and perseverance.

© Provided by The Associated Press Janet Yeoh, right, mother of Michelle Yeoh, celebrates after her daughter won in the best actress category during the 95th Academy Awards in Los Angeles, as seen in a live view event at a cinema in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Monday, March 13, 2023. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Michelle Yeoh, 60, learned ballet before turning to acting. Her first major Hollywood role was playing a Chinese spy in the Bond film “Tomorrow Never Dies” in 1997 alongside Pierce Brosnan.

She gained renown for her role in the 2000 martial arts masterpiece “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” a best-picture nominee that won the Oscar for best foreign language film.

© Provided by The Associated Press Michelle Yeoh accepts the award for best performance by an actress in a leading role for “Everything Everywhere All at Once” at the Oscars on Sunday, March 12, 2023, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Yeoh had more recent success in the 2018 movie “Crazy Rich Asians” and Marvel’s “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” in 2021.

© Provided by The Associated Press Michelle Yeoh, winner of the award for best performance by an actress in a leading role for “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” poses in the press room at the Oscars on Sunday, March 12, 2023, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

“We are incredibly proud. We hope she goes to break more records and win more awards,” her nephew Kelvin Yeoh said.

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See more AP Academy Awards coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/academy-awards

Halle Berry, left, presents Michelle Yeoh with the award for best performance by an actress in a leading role for “Everything Everywhere All at Once” at the Oscars on Sunday, March 12, 2023, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

© Provided by The Associated Press