Halle Berry; Michelle Yeoh.Photo: Arturo Holmes/Getty, Arturo Holmes/Getty
Halle Berrywas filled with emotion while presentingMichelle Yeohwith her history-making award at theOscars 2023.
During the 95th annual Academy Awards on Sunday evening, Yeoh, 60,won in the Best Actress categoryfor her performance as Evelyn Wang inEverything Everywhere All at Once. She was up against fellow nomineesCate Blanchett(Tár), Ana de Armas (Blonde),Andrea Riseborough(To Leslie) andMichelle Williams(The Fabelmans).
The moment was history-making given that Yeoh became the second woman of color to ever receive the Best Actress honor. The first was Berry, whowon back in 2002 for herMonster’s Ballperformance. Yeoh also became thefirst woman of full Asian descentto earn the coveted award, according toThe Hollywood Reporter.
Berrytweetedon Monday, “It was an honor to present, alongside Jessica Chastain, Michelle Yeoh her HISTORIC Oscar for Best Actress! This was a long time coming and a moment I will forever hold dear!”
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Jessica Chastain, Halle Berry and Michelle Yeoh.Kevin Winter/Getty
Smith, 54,resigned from the Academyof Motion Picture Arts and Sciences — which alsobanned him from attending its events for 10 years— after he infamously struckChris Rockin the face onstage after Rock made a joke about his wife,Jada Pinkett Smith.
Berry made no mention of Smith, nor the controversy surrounding last year’s Oscars ceremony, as she presented the award to Yeoh.
The ceremony came just over a week after Rock, 58,addressed the assaultin his liveNetflixcomedy specialChris Rock: Selective Outrage, peppering it with scathing jokes about the Smiths and their marriage.
RELATED VIDEO: Michelle Yeoh Gives Inspiring Best Actress Speech About Never Being “Past Your Prime” at Oscars 2023
Duringher acceptance speech, Yeoh told audience members and viewers watching at home, “For all the little boys and girls who look like me watching tonight, this is a beacon of hope and possibilities. This is proof that, dream big, and dreams do come true. And ladies, don’t let anybody tell you you are ever past your prime. Never give up.”
“I wouldn’t be standing heretonight without the Daniels, without A24, without my amazing cast and crew, without everyone who was involved withEverything Everywhere All at Once,” she said. “I have to dedicate this to my mom, all the moms in the world, because they are really the superheroes. And without them none of us would be here tonight.”
Noting how her mother is 84, Yeoh continued of her Oscar, “I’m taking this home to her,” then added, “She’s watching right now, in Malaysia, with my family and friends. I love you guys, and I’m bringing this home to you. And also, to my extended family in Hong Kong, where I started my career: Thank you for letting me stand on your shoulders, giving me a leg up, so I can be here today.”
“And to my godchildren, to my sisters, all of them, to my brothers, to my family — thank you! Thank you! Thank you to the Academy, this is history in the making,” she concluded.
Michelle Yeoh.PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty
Some stars who took home awards includedBrendan Fraserfor Best Actor andDaniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert for Best Director.Everything Everywhere All at Once, meanwhile, earned the night’smost-coveted award for Best Picture.
Lenny Kravitzperformed duringthe In Memoriam segment, and all five Best Original Song nominees were showcased live during the broadcast.
A group of A-list stars also presented awards, includingNicole Kidman,Antonio Banderas,Ariana DeBose,Samuel L. Jackson,Janelle Monáeand John Cho, to name a few.
The Oscarsaired live on ABC Sunday, March 12, at 8 p.m. ET.
source: people.com
