Did Michelle Yu become the first Asian to win an Oscar?
The article does not mention Michelle Yu. It talks about Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh attending an awards gala in New York City on January 8, 2023.
As for the Oscars, the countdown to the ceremony on March 13 has begun. The Best Actress category has five nominees this year, each playing a unique role that showcases Hollywood's recent transformations. From Marilyn Monroe's perspective to an Asian woman saving the world, these roles have caught the attention of awards committees and deserve recognition.
While audiences may recognize her from her role in the Oscar-nominated film "Best Everywhere All at Once," the truth is that this 60-year-old veteran actress has accomplished much more. In 2008, Rotten Tomatoes ranked her as the best action actress of all time.
Her beauty and talent have also been recognized by People magazine, which named her one of the 50 most beautiful people in the world in 1997 and one of the "35 most beautiful screen beauties of all time" in 2009. In 2022, she was listed as one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world.
Born in Malaysia, Michelle Yu is best known by her stage name "Michelle Khan" from her early films. She gained fame in the 1990s for her roles in Hong Kong action films, where she performed her own stunts without a body double.
More recently, in 2022, Michelle gained a wider audience in the Western world with her role in "Everything Everywhere at the Time." Despite having a limited budget, the sci-fi film has become a dark horse at the 2023 Awards.
Michelle Williams – The Fabblemans:
Michelle Williams is an American actress who is 42 years old. She is well-known for her roles in small-budget independent films with tragic and realistic themes. Despite receiving five Academy Award nominations, she has not yet won the award. However, she has won two Golden Globes, a Primetime Emmy, and a Tony Award for her outstanding performances.
Michelle first gained critical acclaim for her portrayals of emotionally troubled women dealing with loss or loneliness in independent films such as "Blue Valentine" and "Manchester by the Sea." She won her Golden Globes for her roles as Marilyn Monroe in "My Week with Marilyn" and actress Gwen Verdon in "Fosse/Verdon," for which she also won a Primetime Emmy.
This year, Michelle received a nomination for her role in Steven Spielberg's latest film, "The Fabelmans." In the movie, she plays the mother of the director himself, and the story is based on Spielberg's family biography and his passion for cinema that influenced his life and the lives of his parents.
Andrea Risboro – to Leslie:
Andrea Louise Risborough, a 42-year-old British woman, had her debut in a minor role in "Venus." Since then, she has appeared in major roles in several films, and her portrayal as a recovering addict in the drama film "To Leslie" earned her a well-deserved first Oscar nomination for Best Actress.
Apart from her film career, Risborough received a BAFTA nomination for her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher in the TV movie "Margaret Thatcher: The Long Walk to Finchley." She has also performed several stage roles, including "Measure for Measure" at the Royal Theatre and Chekhov's "Ivanov."
"To Leslie" is an independent drama film directed by Michael Morris, his first feature film. Andrea portrays an alcoholic single mother who spends her lottery prize money and tries to improve her life after finding a job at a hotel.
Ana de Armas – Blonde:
The youngest actress on this list is Ana de Armas, a Cuban-Spanish actress who started her career in Cuba. At the age of 18, she appeared in the romantic drama "Una rosa de Francia" before moving to Madrid, Spain to star in the popular drama "El internado" for 6 seasons.
Despite the language barrier, De Armas relocated to Los Angeles, where she landed roles in English-language productions, including the crime-comedy "War Dogs". In 2019, she received a Golden Globe nomination for her portrayal of the mysterious nurse Marta Cabrera in the mystery thriller "Knives Out".
De Armas also received her first Oscar nomination for playing actress Marilyn Monroe in "Blonde". This made her the first Cuban woman to receive a similar nomination. The film, which is based on the novel of the same name by Joyce Carol Oates, was written and directed by Andrew Dominic and tells a fictional story about the life and career of American actress Marilyn Monroe.
Cate Blanchett – Tar:
One of the most celebrated actresses of her generation is the 53-year-old Australian, Cate Blanchett. She is widely regarded as one of the best in the industry, thanks to her impressive body of work that spans across independent films, big-budget productions, and theatre. Predictions by critics indicate that she is the favorite to win an award. Blanchett has received numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards, four BAFTA Awards, and four Golden Globes.
Apart from her acting career, Blanchett has produced over 20 theatre productions. She and her husband, Andrew Upton, served as art directors for the Sydney Theatre Company between 2008 and 2013.
This year, Blanchett played the role of Lydia Tarr, the conductor of one of Europe's top orchestras. She leads an ideal life where everything she desires is within her reach. However, she discovers the frailty of her achievements and the world's ability to judge her fairly in the end.
The Academy Awards ceremony is less than two weeks away, and it would be a huge surprise if any other actress wins the Best Actress award over Blanchett. However, Michelle Yu is a fierce competitor, especially considering the Academy's desire to promote diversity by awarding an Asian actress instead of the usual "white agendas."
