Michelle Yeoh and Jean Todt after her historic win. Photo: Michelle Yeoh/Instagram
The Internet was filled with words of praise and congratulatory messages for Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh after she won Best Actress at the 95th Academy Awards held Sunday (March 12) in Los Angeles.
Yeoh, 60, won the coveted acting prize for her role in Everything Everywhere All At Once, making her the first actress of Asian descent and first Malaysian to win the award in the Academy's 95-year history.
She beat her closest contender, two-time Oscar winner Cate Blanchett (Tar) for Hollywood's top acting honour. Other nominees in the category include Ana De Armas (Blonde), Andrea Riseborough (To Leslie) and Michelle Williams (The Fabelmans).
Hundreds of Malaysians flocked to social media to congratulate Yeoh for putting Malaysia on the map.
In a comment on The Star's Instagram page, @rfionahc commented: "I am extra proud to be a Malaysian today! Congratulations Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh. l am mighty proud of this lady. In fact, all Malaysians should be proud of her."
"It will be a very, very long time from now before the next Malaysian (gets a nomination or wins) another Oscar. Well done Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh," Peter Cheah wrote on Facebook.
On Yeoh's Instagram, @deborahwong_11 wrote: You inspire so many young Malaysian ladies out here, thank you for letting us believe that we can do it too."
On Twitter, many netizens hailed Yeoh as the "Pride Of Malaysia" and described her win as proof that hard work pays off.
"Oscar, SAG (Screen Actors Guild Awards), Golden Globe and more than 30 other awards she won this year with Everything Everywhere All At Once! Iconic! The Pride of Malaysia and Asia, Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh," @el_azmeer tweeted.
"With hard work, talent and tenacity, everything is possible," @Heng_09 wrote.
"This is the first time ever for a Malaysian to win Best Actress at such a prestigious Hollywood award. Super proud and well-deserved. Thank you for making Malaysia proud," tweeted @AreKayRK.
"As a Malaysian who's in the US for grad school and is a dancer in the tough, competitive performing arts field, Michelle Yeoh's win and speech means everything," @EmilyJaneDancer said on Twitter.
Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong also wished Yeoh heartiest congratulations for being the first Asian and Malaysian woman to win Best Actress at the Academy Awards.
Dr Wee said on Facebook that Yeoh has been an inspiring icon with her resilience and perseverance throughout her four-decade-long acting career.
"Thank you Tan Sri for breaking the glass ceiling for women around the world and making us Malaysians proud," he said in a Facebook post.
