While Hollywood is busy playing catch up with it's Asian cinematic moment, Everything Everywhere All At Once Best Actress Oscar nominee Michelle Yeoh may have found herself in the middle of some controversy regarding Academy rules.
via Complex:
To be clear, the debate in question is not focused on the acclaimed actress’ own words; instead, the Best Actress nominee had shared screenshots of a Vogue article about this year’s class of nominees. The article, by Radhika Seth, noted that it’s now been more than 20 years since a non-white actress won in the category. A key part of the article, and one shared by Yeoh, addressed Cate Blanchett’s appearance in the same category for her performance in Tár.
Here’s an excerpt:
“Meanwhile, for Yeoh, an Oscar would be life-changing: her name would forever be preceded by the phrase ‘Academy Award winner,’ and it should result in her getting meatier parts, after a decade of being criminally underused in Hollywood.”
As Variety reports, some have pointed to an Academy rule about “references to other nominees,” specifically the barring of mentioning fellow competitors “by name or title.” Noted in that report is that similar questions were previously raised surrounding a social media campaign behind Andrea Riseborough’s To Leslie performance.
Worth noting here is that Yeoh’s sharing of the article can’t reasonably be interpreted as some sort of criticism against Blanchett herself. In fact, the two recently linked up for an extended one-on-one as part of Variety’s Actors on Actors series. They were also seen posing together on the Film Independent Spirit Awards red carpet mere days ago.
I don't feel that Michelle meant any ill will regarding her post. However I do find it ridiculous that a person of color hasn't won a Best Actress Oscar in about two decades.
I also find it quite irritating with 95 years of the Oscars existing that it really hasn't progressed all that much in regards to equality.
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