Who is Michelle Yeoh, the actress?

Michelle Yeoh is a talented actress and martial artist who has had a long and successful career in film and television. Born in Malaysia in 1962, Yeoh began her career as a beauty queen before transitioning to acting and martial arts.

One of Yeoh’s most iconic roles is in the film “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” which was released in 2000. In the film, Yeoh plays Yu Shu Lien, a skilled warrior who embarks on a dangerous journey to recover a stolen sword. Yeoh’s performance was praised by critics and audiences alike, and she was nominated for a BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role.

Yeoh has also appeared in a number of other films, including “Tomorrow Never Dies” and “Memoirs of a Geisha.” In addition to her acting work, Yeoh is also an accomplished martial artist and has performed her own stunts in many of her films.

In recent years, Yeoh has continued to work in the entertainment industry, taking on a variety of roles in both film and television. She played the role of Philippa Georgiou in the TV series “Star Trek: Discovery,” and she has also appeared in films such as “Crazy Rich Asians” and “Last Christmas.”

In addition to her acting work, Yeoh has also been involved in various charitable causes. She is a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme and has worked to promote education and women’s rights in developing countries.

Overall, Michelle Yeoh’s career has been marked by her talent, versatility, and dedication to her craft. She has won numerous awards and accolades for her work, and she continues to be a respected and influential figure in the entertainment industry.

What about her accent?

You’re probably aware of the accent bias that snuck into the face recognition software. It wasn’t that the AI was racist, it merely exposed that humans are. I think of the Hollywood language bias and accent discrimination much the same. Hollywood has biases, and we the audience have been affected by it.

The Oscars are almost here for 2023, and I really think Michele Yeoh deserves to win. And I love that her natural, authentic accent has been accepted and used since at least 2017 when she played a starship captain on Star Trek: Discovery.

Unless you’re already a Sci-Fi fan, or a ‘Trekkie’, you’ll learn a few facts about a show I grew up on as well.

In this special episode, I talk about the Hollywood language bias, analyze 2 features of Michele Yeoh’s idiolect (individual accent), and express our hopes for the future.

You can listen to the episode on Captivate or watch it on YouTube.