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M’sians Criticise HK Minister For Claiming Michelle Yeoh As A “Hong Kong Actor”

The Ipoh-born star, who shot to stardom in the Hong Kong film industry, made history when she became the first Malaysian to win a Golden Globe.

Everyone wants a piece of Michelle Yeoh, 60, after she won Best Actress In A Musical Or Comedy Motion Picture for Everything Everywhere All At Once at the Golden Globes.

The Ipoh-born star made history when she became the first Malaysian to win a Golden Globe, so its understandable that her countrymen were none too pleased when a Hong Kong minister claimed her as their own.

Describing Michelle as a “Hong Kong actor”, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung said in a statement: “Michelle Yeoh first made a name in the Hong Kong film sector, then moved on to the international stage with her exceptionally outstanding acting skills and hard work… We are really empowered by the fact that Hong Kong actors have continued to shine in the global film industry.

Malaysians criticised the minister for getting Michelle’s nationality wrong, saying comments like “He doesn’t even have common sense, she is Malaysian! You didn’t do your homework, you have the cheek to be the secretary” and “Anyone who speaks Cantonese is a Hongkonger?”.

Everyone is family

Yesterday (Jan 12), Michelle uploaded snaps of herself surrounded with bouquets of roses, thanking Malaysian leaders, the King and Queen, as well as her “extended family” in Hong Kong and China, where her “journey began as an actor”, for the outpouring of love and congratulations.

“Thkq thkq to the outpouring of love and congratulations from family friends around the world… my King and Queen and PM and leaders of Malaysia, my extended family in HK in China … my deepest gratitude… that’s where my journey began as an actor which brought me to here today. Thkq for all ur love and support, valuable lessons,(sic),” she wrote on Instagram.

She also thanked her “loves” in Geneva and Paris, as well as peers in the United States.

Michelle leapt into the spotlight after winning the Miss Malaysia World in 1983.

In the mid '80s, she moved to Hong Kong where she started her movie career and rose to fame performing her own stunts in Hong Kong movies such as YesMadam (1985) and Policy Story 3: Super Cop (1992).

She later turned her focus to Hollywood, starring alongside Pierce Brosnan in James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies (1997). Other notable works include 2000 martial arts film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, 2018’s Crazy Rich Asians, and Marvel's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings in 2022.

Photos: Michelle Yeoh/Instagram

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Michelle Yeo golden globes

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