KUALA LUMPUR, April 18 — Academy Award-winning Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh was welcomed home by roaring cheers of her fans at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur.
She appeared at the shopping centre’s centre court for her first public meet-and-greet session since her historic win at the Oscars last month.
Thousands of fans waited at the centre court and main entrance of the mall for several hours to get a glimpse of the 60-year-old actress who returned home from Hong Kong yesterday.
Jasmine Chan from Hong Kong said she and her parents happenned to be in KL and heard about Yeoh’s meet-and-greet session.
“We are a fan of hers and she has done a good job.
Chan said Everything Everywhere All at Once and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon are two of her favourite films in which Yeoh acted.
Leong Cing and Justin Hoo from KL were waiting along the red carpet as early as 3pm to meet Yeoh who arrived at 5.40pm.
Hoo said he was proud of Yeoh for representing the Asian identity on the global stage and bringing recognition to Malaysia’s entertainment scene.
“I’m very proud as a Malaysian.”
Leong on the other hand said she hopes Yeoh produces a Malaysian film for Hollywood in the future.
“We support her.”
A fan from Singapore, Dave Stanley, said he was happy to hear Yeoh will be meeting fans at Pavilion KL during his three-day stay at the capital.
“It so happens to coincide with her arrival in KL.”
Stanley said he is proud of Yeoh as an Asian who has brought recognition to the community.
“I liked her acting in Everything Everywhere All at Once and Crazy Rich Asians."
Roaring cheers dominated the mall once Yeoh arrived for the red carpet homecoming public meet.
She proceeded to walk a relatively long red carpet that stretched from outside and through the mall to the main centre court.
It took Yeoh over 30 minutes to walk through the red carpet and meet her fans for signing autographs and taking photos.
On stage, Yeoh held up the Oscar trophy and proceeded to thank her fans for their support and love.
“Thank you, everyone.
“No matter where I am, you all are in my heart and I’m truly a Malaysian.”
When asked what she plans to do with the Oscar, Yeoh said she would let her mother, Datin Janet Yeoh, keep it for a while.
“My parents have always thought me that nothing comes simply in life.
“It’s always through hard work and perseverance.”
Yeoh arrived in Kuala Lumpur from Hong Kong yesterday for her first public meet-and-greet with her fans following her Oscar win.
She is scheduled to have a private dinner with her family later at Berjaya Times Square to celebrate her mother’s birthday.
