Michelle Yeoh, Her Story And Lesson For Malaysians

No home for the weirdos

“You have to be weird to win.” – Dakota Johnson.

Michelle Yeoh did not grow up as your typical Malaysian.

During her teens, she spoke Malay and English. She did not learn Cantonese or Mandarin. In Malaysia, that is seen as odd. However, today there are more Malaysians who can only speak Malay and English.

She walked the path of creativity early on. Having enrolled in ballet school at the age of four. Then a convent school in Ipoh. At 15, she moved to the UK.

Imagine having a friend like her. I’m sure you’d agree that the average Malaysian would have nothing in common with her.

Then came Sing Lung

After winning a few beauty pageants, Michelle Yeoh would receive a casting call for a commercial. Her co-star? Sing Lung. That’s Jackie Chan’s name in Cantonese.

You can consider the commercial success as it caught the eye of D&B Films. A Hong Kong film production company. Which gave her the shoulders to stand on.

She learned to speak Cantonese then. The rest, as they say, is history.

Committed to her craft

Studying Cantonese was one of the many challenges she had to face. With no prior acting experience or lessons, she had to learn by observing her colleagues.

”It was like baptism by fire. There was no school for studying acting. You just have to take it upon yourself to learn from your peers. It’s about opening your eyes, listening, and watching.”

And it paid off.

In her first American debut, she acted alongside Pierce Brosnan in the hit James Bond movie, Tomorrow Never Dies. Brosnan recounts working with her “(she’s)..a wonderful actress… serious and committed about her work.” Adding that Michelle Yeoh is the female James Bond, referencing her combat abilities.

At a time where Asian stereotypes were the norm, execs were worried if the American audience would accept a non-typical Bond Girl. Her character, Wai Lin was not a damsel in distress. She saved James Bond from certain death and rejected Bond’s sexual advances.

After the premiere, the American audience loved it. Hype and intrigue grew around Michelle Yeoh. Which led to many job offers.

However, Michelle Yeoh had to decline almost all of them. As they were stereotypical. It was important for her to find a role worth playing. Something challenging. Something that could show the depth of a genre often overlooked.

She waited two years.

Then, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon came along.

Are there any more Yeohs?

An underrated truth: Though not as publicised as Michelle Yeoh, many Malaysians find immense success abroad.

The weirdos, dreamers, and hustlers would’ve not made it if they chose to stay. And the debate on this subject is hot.

Malaysians are jaded when it comes to opportunities. And it’s not because we aren’t able to produce our own geniuses. We do.

But 1.86 million of them leave the country for better pastures. Be it for growth, wealth, or personal success.

Human Resources Minister V Sivakumar recently said the brain drain issue has doubled. 5.5% of Malaysians are leaving to work abroad. That’s more than the global average, which is 3.3%.

I know some Malaysians that would make it big internationally. They have the drive, work ethic, skill and maturity. They are not as successful here, as they deserve to be.

Is Nationality everything?

Everyone shares the fear of leaving home.

But there is something to be said about going outside your comfort zone. Success-hungry people often jump headfirst into the unknown. Challenging themselves outside of what they’re used to.

Before the fall of PH in 2018, I never once thought of leaving the country. But that event inspired me, and many around me, to think about their personal success and going abroad.

I know someone who was adamant “I’m staying to improve my country.”

Langkah Sheraton made him think of his own “langkah” out of the country.

Malaysia is in a weird place. Producing geniuses that are better off abroad, and when success happens, it only enjoys the label of “He/she is Malaysian” but not the fruits of their success.

Some would argue that’s good enough. And if it is…

Then is Malaysian nationality something to consider, when thinking of our personal success?

Someone out there appreciates what you do

The issue of Malaysians being appreciated more abroad than locally is not new.

The late P. Ramlee was shunned by locals and journalists. They applauded his fall. Despite all that he has done for the film industry. He only received his deserved recognition after death. But global audiences gave him his flowers in life and in death.

To this day, people still enjoy P.Ramlee films. And to this day, the film industry struggles to create an artistic experience of his quality.

I wonder what would happen if Michelle Yeoh was appreciated by the local industry early in her career. In one interview, she alluded that “If I only get to play Malaysian roles, there wouldn’t be very many roles for me to play.”

Some Malaysians are ahead of Malaysia’s time. They vibe with people abroad. It’s only natural that these Malaysians make the move towards lands that can appreciate their value.

Michelle Yeoh’s historic Academy Award win is a beacon for Malaysians to dream beyond the land they’ve bled for. If overseas success can save this country.

So be it.

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