Michelle Yeoh is officially an Oscar winner (Picture: Getty Images)
Halle Berry has plenty in common with Michelle Yeoh with the pair being the only two women of colour to have won the best actress Oscar in the awards’ 95-year history.
So it’s no surprise Catwoman actress Halle is still savouring the special moment after doing the honours of presenting Michelle with the award for her role in sci-fi adventure Everything Everywhere All At Once.
It was a particularly momentous win for Michelle, 60, who has become the first Asian actress to scoop the prestigious award – and only the second woman of colour to win best actress since Halle, 56, became the first in 2002 for Monster’s Ball.
Continuing to soak in the moment from Sunday’s ceremony, Halle responded to a tweet which featured a clip of the moment she shared an emotional hug with Michelle while presenting her with the golden trophy.
Reporter Spencer Althouse wrote in the tweet: ‘Here’s Halle Berry tearfully presenting Michelle Yeoh her Best Actress Oscar. they’re the only two women of color to win the award in 95 years.’
Halle replied: ‘It was an honor to present, alongside Jessica Chastain, Michelle Yeoh her HISTORIC Oscar for Best Actress!
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‘This was a long time coming and a moment I will forever hold dear!’
Michelle was able to fend off strong competition from the likes of Angela Bassett, Cate Blanchett and Ana de Armas; in Everything Everywhere, she played a Chinese immigrant who becomes swept into an adventure where she meets different versions of herself in the parallel universe to stop someone intending to harm her.
Delivering her acceptance speech, Michelle acknowledged the historic nature of her win and the what it means for diversity and inclusion, stating: ‘For all the little boys and girls who look like me, this is a beacon of hope and possibilities. This is proof [to] dream big, dreams do come true.
‘Ladies, never let anyone tell you you are past your prime. Never give up.
Halle Berry became the first Black woman to win the best actress Oscar in 2002 (Picture: Rex Features)
Michelle and Halle shared an emotional embrace on-stage (Picture: Getty Image)
Michelle hopes her Oscar win will inspire ‘little boys and girls who look like [her]’ (Picture: Rex Features)
‘I wouldn’t be standing here tonight without the Daniels [directors], without A24, without my amazing cast and crew, without everyone who was involved with Everything Everywhere All At Once.’
Michelle then turned her attention to her mother, saying: ‘I have to dedicate this to my mom, all the moms in the world because they are really the superheroes, and without them none of us would be here tonight.
‘She’s 84, and I’m taking this home to her. She’s watching right now in Malaysia with my family and friends. I love you guys, I’m bringing this home to you.
‘And also to my extended family in Hong Kong, where I started my career. Thank you for letting me stand on your shoulders, giving me a leg up so I can be here today.’
She added: ‘Thank you to the Academy. This is history in the making.’
Everything Everywhere All At Once completely swept the Oscars board, winning a total of seven awards including best supporting actress for Jamie Lee Curtis and best supporting actor for Ke Huy Quan.
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MORE : Glowing Michelle Yeoh celebrates ‘beacon of hope’ Oscars glory after making history with award win
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They are the two only women of colour to win best actress in 95 years.
