Michelle Yeoh is all smiles meeting fans: 'You are all in my heart because I am truly Malaysian'

Michelle Yeoh during the meet-the-fans session at Pavilion Shopping Mall in Bukit Bintang on April 18, 2023. – AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star

It was a sight to behold when Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh made her appearance at the “Pride of Malaysia Michelle Yeoh Homecoming Public Fan Meet” on Tuesday (April 18) at Pavilion KL Centre Court, Kuala Lumpur.

Hundreds of fans of all ages gathered at the mall to catch a glimpse of the star who made each and every Malaysian proud when she won the Best Actress Oscar at this year’s Academy Awards on March 12.

“These last six weeks is continuing to be like a beautiful dream. And I was dreaming to be back here with my mum, with my family here and especially with all of you. So thank you for coming out day to see me and I hear your love,” the beloved Yeoh said on the red carpet.

Fans started to arrive as early as 3pm to the venue which was set up with a red carpet that stretched from the entrance to the centre court of the mall.

The event started at 5.40pm. Some lucky fans who stood along the red carpet managed to take selfie with the star. Yeoh also signed some autographs for fans.

During the long walk on the red carpet, Yeoh was also showered with gifts.

Dressed in a long black dress, Yeoh was accompanied by her partner Jean Todt, and her niece and nephews.

A young woman held a sign that said she has been “a fan of Michelle Yeoh for 13 years” while another drew a picture of Yeoh – anime style – as one of her characters in the movie Everything Everywhere All At Once.

“I want to give her my drawing,” said the female fan.

“I love you Michelle Yeoh!” can be heard from time to time on the red carpet which took the actress some 30 minutes to complete the walk.

With her win, Yeoh made Oscar history as the first actress of Asian descent to win in this category.

Of the unanimous support from Malaysians, she said: "Thank you. I feel your love and I'm deeply appreciative of that. All your support, all your encouragement. I hear it even when I'm not in Malaysia because wherever I am, you are all in my heart because I am truly Malaysian."

Yeoh was awarded the Oscar for her role in Everything Everywhere All At Once, which sees her playing a frustrated mother, wife and daughter as she goes about handling tax audit of the laundromat she owns.

“Why I love this character is, she's a very ordinary woman who’s doing everyday things.

“The most important thing was, an ordinary woman can be a superhero. And that was what she did. Because she believed in herself. She believed in her family, she believed in love," she said.

Since her win, Yeoh has been busy filming the movie adaptation of the musical Wicked in London, as well as celebrating her win with friends.

She was the toast of the town in London with her Wicked cast and director last month. Last week, she was the guest of honour at a party in Hong Kong with the likes of Chow Yun Fat, Anthony Wong, Donnie Yen and Sandra Ng in attendance.

She's scheduled to celebrate her mother's birthday at a dinner tonight.

As to where she would be keeping her Oscars, Yeoh said: "I am going to let my mother keep it for a while."

She also talked about what it takes to achieve success during the fan meet.

"As we all know, there’s nothing that's simple in life. We have to persevere, we have to dream. We have to educate ourselves. We have to always be ready for hard work, and dreams can come true.“

Earlier today, the 60-year-old held a press conference with the Malaysian and international press.

The Ipoh-born star said that she wanted to win the Oscar as it “represents so much to so many of us”.

When asked what she would want to impart to the younger generation who wants to be the next Michelle Yeoh, the actress said: “I think ... don't become me, be you. I believe that you're going to be better.

"Having won the Oscar, like I said in my speech, it's a beacon of hope. That shows us it can be done. And all of you can do it. Don't be me, be you.”