Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh plays the headmistress and Dean of Sorcery Studies at Shiz University in 'Wicked'. Photo: AFP
Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh who stars in the musical Wicked, which opens in Malaysia on Thursday (Nov 21), will also be singing in the film.
In several recent interviews, the 62-year-old Oscar winner recalled the first time she was given the script by Crazy Rich Asians director, Jon M. Chu, and being doubtful of taking on the role as she does not sing.
In an interview on an Australian TV, Yeoh shared that it took a bit of convincing before she said yes to playing Madame Morrible.
"I read (the script) and I said, 'but Jon, it's a musical – she sings, right? Well, you know, I don't sing,'" Yeoh said.
"Then I get a video from stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande where they say 'Hi, it's imperative that you join us now'. How do you say no to two angels, right?"
Michelle Yeoh reacting when she was asked about an old song she recorded for a Hong Kong film. Photo via Sin ChewHowever, as pointed out in another interview on an Asian talk show, Yeoh has sung before, refuting the claim that she couldn’t sing.
She had recorded the theme song Love Is Like A Shooting Star for the 1993 film Butterfly Sword, where she starred opposite Tony Leung Chiu Wai.
When she was reminded of this track, Yeoh playfully covered her ears and said, "I can’t hear."
She can deny it, but as shared by Sin Chew, there is even a music video on YouTube of the song Yeoh sang for the film.
Wicked is the first chapter of a two-part musical feature.
Wicked Part Two is scheduled for release in November 2025.
Yeoh plays the headmistress and Dean of Sorcery Studies at Shiz University in the films.
