Woman with a drive: Yeoh’s desire for change also drives her work as a UN goodwill ambassador to end inequalities that plague women and girls worldwide. — Reuters
PETALING JAYA: Staying loose, knowing your limits, and finding your people.
Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh said these three principles had allowed her to overcome hurdles and break down stereotypes that would have stood in the way of her success.
The award-winning actress shared these tips in a keynote address with the 2023 graduates of the prestigious Harvard University law school in the United States on Wednesday.
“As you dive headfirst into a presumably bright but unpredictable future, I happen to have some experience leaping from high perches into scary voids.
“Here are some pointers I have picked up along the way in my career full of leaps and dives. How to survive the fall in three easy steps by Michelle Yeoh,” she said to applause and laughter from the crowd.
Yeoh recounted how a spinal injury had dashed her dreams of dancing professionally while studying dance.
“Life as I knew it then was over, but I credit my school principal for encouraging me, ultimately leading me to a career beyond my imagination.
“She encouraged me to stay loose about my future,” said the United Nations goodwill ambassador.
“When falling, the instinct is to tighten up and brace for impact, but in truth, the safest thing to do is remain calm and curious about the shifting world around you.”
This attitude opened her mind up to other career opportunities besides dance, and after graduating, Yeoh explored offers to act in commercials and movies in Hong Kong.
But although the acting jobs poured in, she was dissatisfied with the roles being offered to women, which pigeon-holed them into “demure damsels in distress”.
Yeoh then decided to break through these stereotypes and external limitations being placed on her by the film industry.
“Limitations set by yourself give you boundaries to respect, but limitations set by others give you boundaries to bust through.
“As a young woman trying to break into a film in Hong Kong, I was confronted with limitations at every turn.”
As she studied choreography during her time as a dancer, Yeoh convinced her producers to give her an action role – a job reserved exclusively for male actors.
“I was prepared to do what the men were doing, the choreography, stunts, taking the blows, the wire work, all of it.
“I had one shot to prove my ability as an action star, and if I failed, I knew I wouldn’t have the opportunity again.
“As it turned out, audiences were more than ready for female stars in action comedies, and the film ‘Yes, Madam’ was well received.”
Yeoh also credited her success to the spirit of collaboration, which allowed her to seek like-minded people who supported her drive to put more deep, realistic female characters on screen.
“Most success stories are less about competition and more about collaboration, and the truth is I could not have done any of this alone,” she said, adding that she counts supporters in the film industry as part of her “community” along with her family and friends.
“My community transcends time, and I stand on the shoulders of those who have come before me, and I am energised and inspired by those who come after me.”
Yeoh’s desire for change also drives her work as a UN goodwill ambassador to end inequalities that plague women and girls worldwide.
“The prerequisite to change is empathy. Seeing through other people’s perspectives activates our compassion, which drives real-world, demonstrable action. Compassion is the ultimate superpower within all of us,” she said.
