Michelle Yeoh says winning the Oscar is “a beacon of hope and possibility” for “all the little boys and girls who look like me”.

Michelle Yeoh just made history.

On Sunday, Yeoh became the first Asian actress to win the Best Actress Oscar for her performance in Everything everywhere at once.

The category is usually presented by last year’s Best Actor winner, but since Will Smith – who won last year’s for King Richard — Barred from attending the Oscars for the next decade after beating Chris Rock during the 2022 show, the show’s producers had last year’s Best Actress winner, Jessica Chastain, and Halle Berry — who became the first black woman to win 2002’s Best Actress was awarded monster ball — handed the trophy over to Yeoh together.

“To all the little boys and girls who look like me tonight, this is a beacon of hope and opportunity,” she began her acceptance speech. “This is proof that… dreams are big and dreams come true.

Yeoh also thanked the film’s cast and crew, including co-directors Daniel Kwan and Oscar-winning Daniel Scheinert Best Director and Best Original Screenplay.

Yeoh paused to catch her breath and continued to pay tribute to other important people in her life.

“I have to dedicate this to my mother [and] all the mothers in the world because they really are the superheroes and none of us would be here tonight without them,” she said.

“She’s 84,” the actress noted of her mother, “I’m taking that home. She’s watching in Malaysia right now… with my family and friends: I love you guys! I’ll bring this to your house.” She also thanked her “extended family in Hong Kong, where I started my career. Thank you for letting me stand on your shoulders and lift one leg up so I can be here today.”

Finally, “To my godchildren, to my sisters, everyone, to my brothers,” she concluded. “To my family, thank you. Thanks. Thanks to the Academy. This is history in the making. Thanks!”

Yeoh’s win was certainly historic as she became the first Asian identifiable actress to be nominated in the Leading Actress category. (As noted on the Academy websiteMerle Oberon, who was of Sri Lankan and Māori descent, was previously nominated in the 1935s category The Dark Angel; However, Oberon kept her legacy hidden, fearing it would hamper her career.)

Yeoh joins castmates Ke Huy Quan and Jamie Lee Curtis, both first-time Oscar nominees and first-time winners during the ceremony.