Michelle Yeoh talks about her early career and why Jackie Chan is afraid of her
Вставка
- Опубліковано 7 лют 2025
- Michelle Yeoh stopped by Alamo HQ to talk to us about her new movie EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE. During the conversation she told the entire story of how she transitioned from being a dancer and a beauty queen to being an action movie star in the two year period between 1983-1985.
Where to find Alamo Drafthouse?
drafthouse.com
/ alamodrafthouse
/ alamodrafthouse
/ drafthouse
So let me get this straight. Dancer, swimmer, squash player, actor, long distance runner, beauty queen and martial artist. Talk about doing everything, everywhere all at once.
She's also married to the president of Formula 1 racing
She is shojo female MC
Edit: the allrounder one
she's not married
I see what you did there.
@@msdsplayground8360 Not married. They are a couple since 2004, though.
She is part of the reason why that period of HK cinema was so legendary and unfortunately will never be replicated again.
Yeah HK movies were for a number of years was the #1 foreign film in USA and many other countries but like you said sadly it will never be again.
It truly is unfortunate. By far the best action and choreography nothing has come close to it.
Hopefully there is some sort of resurgence or renaissance of HK cinema
Damn those action scenes are 10 times better than today's shaky cam and quick cuts. I can actually see what's happening. I remember watching one of the Resident Evil sequels and I couldn't see who's punching who. I couldn't see who was winning the fight. When the action scene ended I said to myself "What the hell just happened? Who won the fight?".
@@One.Zero.One101 The reason why it is done especially when it comes to women is that most women don't have the beautiful but powerful coordination that men do. This is why women who were formally dancers can really make the cut because choreography is very much dancing. That is why Michelle Yeoh is able to do it.
Ran into Michelle Yeoh once in a Art exhibit in HK. Immediately you can see she is a true star. As much as I wanted to ask her for a picture, I still noticed that she was with family so I didn’t want to interrupt their family day. She is such a cool artist that represent a good role model that tell the world that woman can do a lot too.
Classy move. The world is small. I once asked my sigung if he knew about Bow-sim Mark (Donnie Yen's mother) and he said, "Oh yeah, I hosted for her when she came to visit Boston...I remember little Donnie." Blew my freaking mind.
Most of them don't mind if you come up to them and say that you like them and think they are an inspiration and such, as long as you don't stick around like some do and follow them around such. It's usually fine.
here in India she would probably have been grabbed for a picture
@Katie Wong. No problemo. You can have still take a selfie with me.
I was in Resorts in Atlantic City. The restaurant had a band, and it played the theme from the Honeymooners. J Gleason was eating dinner, gave a wave to the conductor. I left him to his diner and evening.
"Only two women I'm afraid of, and one of them is Michelle." What a boss statement! Clearly a compliment too.
Who's the other woman? Maggie Q? 😆
Cynthia Rothrock? 😆
@@warrenleezy We could go for filling out the heroic trio: Maggie Cheung and Anita Mui.
@@warrenleezy I remember scouring video stores in the 90's for Cynthia Rothrock movies to watch, but for some reason I don't remember any of them,
@@warrenleezy probably his Mum. Everyman not only respect, but also fear of his mum. I bet jackie chan mum is the one lol.
I met her once a number of years back in her penthouse in Malaysia. We pitched a project to her. She is everything you expect her to be… beautiful, poised, down to earth, smart and incredibly warm. I am so happy she got a chance to make this film and show everyone that she’s more than just an action star, but is capable of playing characters with range and emotional depth.
Did you now? What was the project, if I can ask?
That's so lovely to see someone famous being so warm.
@@theoutlook55 agreed - would love to know more, not so much interested in 'dirt' just what the ptoject was, what she thought, her ideas/input etc etc..She srikes me as a lady who can have a great impact on any script/movie she was involved with.
I also met her once in an elevator and had a little talk, she was super friendly and classy.
I was there that day …but I don’t remember you 🧐
Never realised how dazzling she was in her youth. Such an honour to have such an elegant and powerful woman who made a lot of strife to try out an unknown stage and made her pretty great at what she's doing now. Definitely a great woman overall.
I am in awe too. This woman got many faces . I love her
Hi Joel, May i please have a word with you
@@sheikhmohammedbinsaudalqas697 ??
That short hair just does it for me.
She is one of the living legends in the action movie industry.
the most impressive thing about those early movies, is how she looks more badass and capable than pretty much every batman in cinema. even decades later, those movies still make you feel that tingly sense of "uh, that gotta hurt!", amazing.
because she was really doing it.
Wasn't arranged by cut cut cut and stand in.
I am still more tense today watching HK movie where on actor will jump from a roof a break a window than watching a Disney or fast and furious movie where you CGI the falls
Because it did hurt! They were crazy!
I discovered Michelle Yeoh late when I saw her for the first time in "Memoir of a Geisha". I was so blown away by her performance that any time I see her name in a credit I give the film/show a try. I have rarely been disappointed.
A great star that the Anglo world has ignored for too long for all the wrong reasons.
Thank God for the Australian SBS that regularly plays shows from the Kong Kong studios and I can get a regular 'fix' of her work.
Me too! Mameha
One of my favorite movies.
She was spectacular in that movie
I first discovered her in Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. Another masterpiece movie.
I fell in love with her in Super Cop, and my respect for her has only deepened since. Her fight scenes in Crouching Tiger are some of the best in action movie history... :)
I couldn’t agree more, that fight scene is one of the best in films.
Her two fights with Zhang Ziyi in Crouching Tiger were just amazing. I'll never forget them.
aye aye 👍
@@nikstone2420 Agree!
@@FiltyIncognito Agree!
This woman aged like fine wine. Just wow...
Still remember falling in love with her when I was a little boy watching HK flicks.
How has Michelle Yeoh not become even bigger? She's beautiful, smart, articulate, accomplished, and a bad-ass role model for girls and women. Did you see her in Star Trek: Discovery? She was so awesome as Captain/Empress Georgiou. She needs to come back to Star Trek in some way.
Pretty sure they're still working on her own Star Trek show: Section 31
She is the queen from another land..she is the biggest in HK but born in Malaysia, she is the biggest in Hollywood but came from china, and she is the biggest in the world but she is Asian..this complex do exist..deal with it..I'm? I'm proud of Michelle, there will never any actor who as all rounded as her.
@@SolWake Man, I hope so. One of the few (and I stress FEW) enjoyable things about the Paramount + Trek universe.
She’s a megastar in Asia
@@missniney9970 i dont know if THE biggest is right, but she is certainly a queen no matter what she does, drama, action or comedy. i dont think there are many other women that could pull off what she does as well as she does. and even if she isnt the best at those things, like i said, i dont think there are any as capable as her in all of them.
Literally if I see Michelle Yeoh’s name in a movie I am watching it hands down. Her on scene presence is phenomenal. She is definitely a living legend
I am a big fan of Jackie Chan and so when I started notice of Ms Michelle khan " she's identified then as Michelle khan during her early movies with Jackie Chan. " since then her being so good in martial arts really captivates me and became one of her avid fans. Thank you for featuring her in your show. My best regards and congratulations to all your success. I'm Antonio Tungpalan your avid fan from the Philippines 🇵🇭
Michelle is such a beautiful person inside and out. For me, Michelle Yeoh, Sigourney Weaver and Linda Hamilton were iconic in the 80s-90s as defining action stars for the females in mainstream film. It showed that women can do it too, look great doing it, and carry themselves well.
i've seen a couple of interviews with this lady (and several films), and I gotta say, my respect for her just keeps rising. I'm really glad I've had the opportunity to be around while her work is current.
I thought she was from Hong Kong until my Cantonese friends told me she had an accent. It's just amazing how she did all the things she mentioned. I have watched most of her movies and I actually admire her effort. please make more movies.
Michelle Yeoh is a world class act that is timeless and can never be replicated. She has it all and is all. :) Much respect to her and her awesome career.
I've only watched Michelle Yeoh in one role (Crazy Rich Asians) and I immediately loved her. You can just tell that a legend graced your screen even when you know absolutely nothing about her.
Have loved this woman for many years, and am so glad she's getting her due. Living legend.
I been loving Michelle Yeoh since the first time I saw her in SuperCop AKA Police Story III, such an awesome actress
Her personality is both regal and down to earth.
I have loved Michelle Yeoh for years. She's such a badass. This makes me want to watch her older movies
You should, Yes Madam, Wing Chun, Police Story 3 and Magnificent Warriors were some of the best
I love how she said that it's important to her to be strong and athletic but still be feminine.
Her absolute coolness is ageless, most certainly. If I was one of her children, my only worry would be, that I am not cool enough for my mom.
Not only is she fit and skilled, she also has that sassy humor glimmering in the corner of her eye, what an inspiring person!
I’ve not seen those clips before of Michelle doing action scenes - she’s brilliant! And so were her fellow actors and stunt men in the scenes.
I grew up watching Michelle Yeoh's movies&still watch what she stars in to this day! Exceptional&amazing woman! She deserves a lot of credit frfr
YESS QUEEN! greetings from the Philippines!! When are you next visiting us Ate Michelle? Thanks for empowering so many people here with your good works and talks! Salamat po! Youre one of the shinhng stars of our region, we are all so proud and celebrate your journey!
I have watched the first 2 seasons of Star Trek Discovery and have to say that Michelle Yeoh has done a phenomenal job with her character.
She carried that show
loved her characters she played, especially the Terran Emperor
Right she wuz Bad Azz n that Star Trek series .
Saw her name on it knew it was going to be good
I was sad to see her leave. She made me laugh so hard.
This brought back memories of my childhood. My father made me watch all these movies...good times 😊😊
I've really become a HUGE fan more and more learning about Michelle's history and now I would love to watch her earlier movies. She is a most BEAUTIFUL, talented, intelligent, graceful, and athletic entertainer. She is one of the few that have even become more physically beautiful as she ages. IMUA Michelle! An Amazon Woman indeed!
Michelle Yeoh made me fall in love with Asian women. As actresses not personally. Her performance in Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon was awesome.
I've always liked Michelle Yeow.
I have a copy of "Yes Madam", and her fight choreography is fantastic, but aside from that, there's a deep and abiding strength, vivacity, and confidence about her that makes her very engaging on screen.
She's the ONLY character in Star Trek Discovery other than Pike and Number One, that i like, all the others are a waste of screen time.
No matter what she is doing, Michelle Yeoh grabs your attention, and holds it.
She can portray any character type. She's so intelligent and versatile.
this is a phenomenal woman right here. Crouching Tiger was the first time I saw her, and she's been mesmerizing me ever since.
You should definitely check out her older films from her Hong Kong days in the 80s and 90s, Royal Warriors, Yes Madam, Heroic Trio, Wing Chun and Magnificent Warriors were my favourites with her
This editing is so on point, all the right references, timing. So much effotrts to a short interview, and it makes the video very enjoyable to watch, good job editor!
I won't be the first, or last person to say this- I love Michelle Yeoh
Michelle is an amazing talent and beauty; hr essence shows through the camera. Somehow she has been able to maintain exceptional beauty throughout the phases of her life. I've been a huge fan of her for almost 40 years.
She is one of my life time icons. I have loved and adored her along with a deep profound respect for years. Thank you so much for sharing this!!!!!
She still saying local languange casually (malay) such "aduh" 04:35 stand for ouch but in the way of shy 😅 proud of you Dato' Michelle. Very humble superstar.
So much respect for Michelle in the film industry. She has achieved so much. What a journey.
Have loved her in movies for at least 20 years. I didn't realize just how worldly she started out, that's cool!
Michelle Yeoh, as a pretty sweet school girl of 16 from Ipoh Malaysia, was already setting her eyes on the lamplight. She won her first Beauty Queen 1970 Lions Club Motor Show & then on to winning the Miss Malaysia title. The rest is history.
You probably meant 1980. Michelle was only around 8 years old in 1970.
The end fight in Yes, Madam with Michelle and Cynthia is one of the best fight scenes ever filmed.
"Whatever path you decide to take in this life... be true to yourself."
-Yu Shu Lien in Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon played by Michelle Yeoh
I love Michelle Yeoh. She was the first female Asian martial arts superstar I knew of. When I was a kid I saw there were a lot of male Asian martial arts superstar but wondered why aren't there any female versions? Then I saw Supercop 3 and she blew my mind away. She was so cool in that movie and every action movie after that. That movie though looked supper dangerous. I couldn't believe actors were doing stunts like that. It was so scary to watch. I knew her name from there. Any how, I'm so glad I saw this interview. I'm so awe of all the information I'm getting from this interview. She wanted to be an action star from the beginning and she ended up as one that is known across the world. It's inspiring to see you go where your mind takes you. I wondered why isn't there one, and she was wondering the similar thing and became one. And then made movies for us to believe anything is possible and say yes there can be a female super action hero.
Michelle Yeoh was the best thing about Star Trek Discovery. Stopped watching when she left. Her screen presence is amazing. I hadn't seen her in anything until then. I've since watched several of her movies and wow she's incredible! Please please stay in Star Trek. Modern ST needs you SO much.
I know. Not the same without her😞
She's a literal beast & legend. I want to see a film of the legends but bring new talent into this generation. Lucy Liu, Michelle, Jackie Chan, Donnie Yen & Jet li etc. I would love it.
That commercial with Jackie is priceless!
Been a fan of miss Yeoh for the better part of 30 yrs. Very talented, classy & inspirational woman.
Datuk Michelle Yeoh is definitely a Malaysian. She is the first and may be the only actress from Malaysia to be in the 007 series. Many Malaysian have become famous outside Malaysia .
Amber Chia. ...
Jimmy Choo, OBE. ...
Nicholas Teo. ...
Ling Tan. ...
Nicol David. ...
Lee Chong Wei.
Tony Fernandez
She's not a Datuk but "Tan Sri"
@@markzzzzberg1312 ok
Ronny Chieng
Just finished watching Everything everywhere all at once, and the movie was more than expected, just 10/10 easily. Made Laugh, cry, terrified all at once. And the Sci-fi element was just top notch. 🔥
Michelle Yeoh is an absolute legend love her 💯
Been a fan since Super Cop! Not once did she feel out of place in the action scenes & her acting was phenomenal! Truly an icon
We used to dances at Serf Disco Ipoh when she was still schooling. I will jokingly called her Ling Ching Sia and had look of a film star but never thought she will be an actress and more famous than Ling. The day she won Miss Malaysia and later when go on a her father antique car on a street parade in Ipoh with antique vehicle organize the City Mayor and she look so beautiful at her teen.
WOW!! I thought all this time Michelle Yeoh was a martial artist from young....usually you can tell when someone has "learnt the moves" but she pulled that off exceptionally well, because she trained!!!! AMAZING to achieve what she did in a short space of time.
Hollywood made female action heroes: Ellen Ripley, Sarah Connor, Beatrix Kiddo, Imperator Furiosa, Trinity, etc...
Hong Kong made female action stars: Michelle Yeoh, Cynthia Rothrock, Yukari Oshima, Moon Lee, Cynthia Khan, etc...
I've always loved her voice, but now am so much more amazed by her. Those were awesome moves.
I love her and all that she does. She never disappoints. Such a wonderful human being.
I must have seen Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, 13x in the theater! I would lose it almost every time at the end Li Mu Bai died; her raw emotion in that scene felt so real; and her character's self control and stoic dignity afterward. Wow! What a woman!
Michelle Yeoh and Cynthia Rothrock..two of the "baddest" women on the planet!!!
fun fact: Karen Mok's final hallway fight scene in Yuen's 2002 film "So Close" was a self-homage to his earlier work in Yes, Madam (particularly the glass plate breaking maneuver @ 7:10). he even got the leads (Karen, Shu Qi, Zhao Wei) to dress up like Michelle in Yes, Madam!
Someone knows their Hong Kong action film trivia I see...are u perhaps a fellow connoisseur of the Hong Kong film industry?
Oh, didn't know that. So that's why that glass plate breaking maneuver looked familiar. And yes, I can now see that the female leads did dress up like Michelle.
I love "So Close". It's one of those films that you would never get tired of watching over and over again.
Back then, way back then before all the k-pop phenomenon, Hong Kong's production was the thing in South East Asia. During my teenage life in the 80's and 90's, I was exposed with a lot of Hong Kong's drama and movies. Michelle Yeoh was and still is one of my favourites. The movie Wing Chun was my personal favourite...she acted with Donnie Yen in that movie..
Her new movie Everything Everywhere All at once is a masterpiece! Loved it!
Being a kid who grew up in the 80s, Michelle Yeoh was the first Asian woman crush. Not to mention, for some reason, I found Asian women in Kung Fu movies fascinating to watch in fight scenes as a kid. Still do.
It's funny but i've seen almost all her movies in that clip....but then i love watching hong kong movies esp the comedy one....michelle yeoh definitely a legend
Sh, along with Yukari Oshima (Cynthia Luster), and Moon Lee were the first women to start the female action flicks in HongKong. She approached it from the dance perspective, while Oshima and Lee actually had martial arts pedigree. Cynthia Rothrock also help popularize this genre. She was "forms" black belt , which meant her skill was more dance and non-combat. Cynthia used double stuntmen in her tougher stunts but all 3 Asian women did their own stunts and actually suffered injuries at times from these stunts.
She’s one of my favorite actresses. So impressive ❤️
LOVED Supercop when it came out! Adored her again across from Pierce Brosnan in the Bond film. Forget Halle Berry's Jinx, it was Michelle's character that I would prefer to see return.
Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh,conquered 2 film scene,Hollywood and Hong Kong. The pride of malaysia👍
No doubt about it! Michelle Yeoh is a superstar. And will always be a "superstar". We love you Michelle and we are , and myself a great fan of yours. I grew up in Asia and came to America . And was firstly, mesmerized of the great talents such as yours, Jackie Chan, Donnie Yen, Jet Li, and many more actors and actresses from East Asia. So full of talents and courage to break the curtain of action movies into Hollywood. With your great passion, emotions, talent, skill, and humbleness. That's what makes you a great icon and an actress. Long live and God bless always to you. What a great contribution to the arts of movies and martial arts.. I love Malaysia 🇲🇾
Ms. Yeoh is a true class act. And some kind of real-life Wonder Woman. 🥰
"Star Fleet doesn't fire first'' - one of my favorite moments of her on TV.
Well I'm 6' tall, 245 pounds, Army veteran, martial artist since I was 6, and I'm not scared of her.
Love this interview. Loved Michelle for 30 years
I didnt recognise her in those early films when I watched them years ago. She's been in everything. Cheers
I've had a 25 year crush on her... magnificent actress and cool AF in every role.
Michelle Yeoh is awesome!
I'm extremely impressed how she didn't touch her face with any procedures what so ever as most Asian female celebs would
Omg the movie where Michelle was a short haired cop! She was soooo cool! I remember renting VHS tapes of her early movies, she is just so captivating! 😍
So I grew up with Michelle on screen and I am still with Michelle.
Such an accomplished person! Congrats to her, and thanks for the great movies especially Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. 👏👏👏👏
I've loved Michelle ever since Twin Dragons with Jet Li. She's an incredible performer. Looking forward to seeing her most recent film.
one of my favourite actresses, her diversity and commitment are amazing
YES. She hit the nail on the head talking about the balance between tough and strong and still being feminine/recognizably female. Michelle is no joke and I have nothing but respect and admiration for her. Modern heroines in American cinema are lacking in that second realm (looking at you, Brie Larson) because all of a sudden it's "sexist" to be anything resembling feminine these days, and Michelle strikes that balance perfectly, IMO. How can you not love her? She's witty, charming, graceful, intelligent, articulate, and that all makes her even more beautiful than she already is. All hail Michelle!
u don’t have to put down another woman to push up another just compliment and go
If you don't think that Brie Larson is recognizably female then you probably shouldn't be trusted for anything which requires judgement. What an odd comment.
Exactly right!@
@@doctordo0kie716 For some reason that I don't get, Brie has upset the Anti Woke crowd, of which I have 0% respect for. I find her funny, feminine, and a perfectly fine actress. Michelle is a Queen in my humble opinion. A charming, charismatic, beautiful, and incredibly talented and articulate kind soul. I could listen to her speak for days. I can't wait to see her next film. I hear amazing things about it. ☯🕊
I have always loved her movies, and have the utmost respect for her. She has always held a very good image that most movie stars should take notes on
Michelle is amazing on all aspects. Smarts, talent, beauty. Love her
Michelle Yeoh is an international treasure!
Never missed an opportunity to see a film starring Michelle Kahn/Yeoh.
Well now I love her even more. She’s a genuine bad ass.
"Everything Everywhere All At Once" is my fav movie. She is absolutely perfect in it.
Amazing! Amazing! Easily one of my favorite actresses of all time! Action, drama, comedy, ect you name she does/has done it. So I apologize for being (sophomorically) distracted by her first "boss's" name. Dickson Poon?!! Really?! That's his real name?! ROFL. Seriously though this was great. I could watch a whole hour of her jus talking about films alone and not get tired. Thanks for posting.
I'm so proud of having a malaysian woman-boss representing us asians🥹💕
I just love this talented woman, she has been such a delight to watch over the years. She is amazing.
I really respect her a lot by staying true !
Nothing can replace the fire in our soul and it helps us move forward with goals
Michelle Yeon is a total modern woman 💃❤
Dancers make amazing fighters. Bruce Lee was also a dancer.
I just watched Police Story and Yes, Madam! Excellent films, I'm glad Michelle Yeoh is in so many new films today.
This is an actual strong, powerful woman. Not the typical women these days who never acomplished anything and think that just because they are beautiful it means they are powerful, strong, etc
If only more women looked at this lady instead of instagram models...
Are you ok?
Great interview...Greetings to Michelle from Puerto Rico... 🇵🇷
I LOVE Michelle. She's such grace and strong feminine figure that believe still in feminine but tough female roles. She's brilliant.