At her first press conference in Malaysia since her historic Oscar win last month, Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh says she’s really happy to be back. - Photo: AZHAR MAHFOF / The Star

At her first press conference in Malaysia since her historic Oscar win last month, Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh says she’s extremely grateful for the support from the Malaysian public during the Oscars. “I heard the roar of joy and happiness ... so I thank all of you. You have been on that journey with me ... I felt your support I felt your strength,” she said emotionally.

“I was overjoyed. It was a sense of relief,” Yeoh said of how she felt after winning the Oscar as her mother was watching the telecast from Kuala Lumpur.

Yeoh met with local and international media at a packed press conference at Pavilion Hotel Kuala Lumpur today, hours before she's set to meet fans at the "Pride of Malaysia Michelle Yeoh Homecoming Public Fan Meet" at 5.30pm at Centre Court Pavilion Kuala Lumpur.

“I’ve never seen so many (media) at one place,” she marvelled. “Hopefully, you will meet my little man,” she teased.

The “little man” she’s referring to is, of course, her Oscar statuette from her Best Actress win.

Yeoh then opened up a small briefcase in front of her and produced her trophy, much to the delight of the media who started applauding and cheering.

Yeoh also said that she’s really happy to be back in the country. Especially since she gets a taste of her favourite Malaysian food that she missed.

“I have had curry laksa, nasi lemak, horfun and Ipoh chicken rice with nga choi. That’s why I look so fat,” she said, laughing.

Yeoh attributed that growing up in a multiracial society in Malaysia has helped shape her to be who she is today.

“The beauty about Malaysia is we are multiracial. We have learned to live and embrace each other's culture. And I think that has fundamentally made me such a international, global person,” Yeoh, who was dressed in a white oversized shirt and a pair of denim jeans from Dior, said.

“So anywhere I go, I don't see differences. I see how I can learn from other people. Because when we are here in Malaysia, we learn from our Malay friends, our Indian friends, our Chinese friends, I believe that is beautiful,” she added.

The actress said she is in the midst of shooting Wicked, the film adaptation of the Broadway musical, in London but made a trip back to Malaysia as she promised her mother she would do so.

Yeoh’s mother, Datin Janet Yeoh’s birthday is tomorrow (April 19) and Michelle Yeoh has planned to celebrate with her tonight.

“I'm back here this time very specifically because I promised my mum I will be here for her birthday. And you know, because of the pandemic she has not been able to celebrate for a few years.

“So we're gonna throw her a big party this time,” the actress said, adding that she hopes to come back to Malaysia again July or August.

On March 12, Michelle Yeoh made history as the first actress of Asian descent to win the Best Actress trophy at the 95th Academy Awards. Photo: AFP

Yeoh is back in Kuala Lumpur after a whirlwind visit to Hong Kong last week for work commitments. It is her first visit back to the city which helped kickstart her career in showbiz after four years.

Yeoh was seen at several functions in Hong Kong, including the opening of the Cartier & Women exhibition at the Hong Kong Palace Museum and a celebratory dinner in her honour attended by celebs such as Chow Yun Fat, Sandra Ng, Donnie Yen and Anthony Wong.

Michelle Yeoh at Hong Kong Film Awards on March 16. Photo: Michelle Yeoh/InstagramShe was also a presenter at Sunday night's Hong Kong Film Awards where she gave out the Best New Performer Awards to 10-year-old child actor, Sahal Zaman.

It has been a triumphant year for Yeoh who swept many accolades in the awards circuit for her role as Evelyn Wang, a harassed laundromat owner who has the ability to hop through multiverses in the indie flick, Everything Everywhere All At Once.

On March 12, Yeoh made history as the first actress of Asian descent to win the Best Actress trophy at the 95th Academy Awards.

Other notable awards Yeoh has won in the past couple of months include the Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild and the Independent Spirit Awards.

"Playing Evelyn Wang has been one of the great privileges of my 40 year career. It is truly the role of a lifetime. I will forever cherish this moment," the Malaysian actress said on social media in January.

Yeoh made a quick trip back to Ipoh two weeks ago for the Qing Ming festival where she brought along her Oscar statuette as she visited her father Datuk Yeoh Kian Teik's gravesite to pay her respects.

“Brought Mr.O home. Without my parents’ love and trust and support... I wouldn’t be here today... love so much,” she wrote on her social media.

Michelle Yeoh arrived at Subang Airport yesterday (April 17) from Hong Kong with her partner Jean Todt (left) and niece Vicki Yeoh. Photo: Handout

The actress also posted a photo of her mother posing with the Oscar.

This was Yeoh keeping the promise she made during her acceptance speech at the Oscars.

“I have to dedicate this to my mum, all the mums in the world, because they are really the superheroes. And without them, none of us will be here tonight,” Yeoh said on March 12 at Oscars after accepting the award from Jessica Chastain and Halle Berry.

“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!”

Welcome home, Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh.