TIME magazine has named Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh as its 2022 Icon of the Year, highlighting her long 40-year acting career that includes this year’s audience favourite ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’.
The publication posted their official announcement on social media. On Twitter, Yeoh is a favourite for the Best Actress category in the upcoming Academy Awards for her turn in the science-fiction family drama.
Earlier this year, she was also included in Time’s 100 Most Influential People of 2022 list.
During her career, Yeoh told the magazine that she had to “battle” a Hollywood that offered her parts that were stereotypes of Asians or harmful tropes of Asian women.
“It shouldn’t be about my race, but it has been a battle,” Yeoh said. “At least let me try.”
In a GQ interview that went viral on social media, a tearful Yeoh said her role as Evelyn “was something I had been waiting for for a long time,” to prove to audiences “what I am capable of.”
Yeoh admits that taking on the role was a risk because it was a huge departure from the usual roles that she is known for, but it paid off and she is now soaking in the recognition.
“Give it to me,” she told Time, referring to an Oscar for lead actress. “It’s not about needing it – it’s that feeling that you don’t have to explain: It’s love from other people. My arms are out open.”
“I’ve thought about it. And not just me – I feel like my full Asian community has thought about it. They come up to me and they say, ‘You’re doing it for us’,” Yeoh told Time.
Her future projects include ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’, ‘The Witcher: Blood Origin’ and an undisclosed role in James Cameron’s ‘Avatar’ sequels. – The Vibes, December 7, 2022
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