Refusing the damsel in distress stereotype

Michelle Yeoh has created a legendary body of work that defies easy categorisation. You’ll know her from cult classic Kung Fu Cinema, Everything Everywhere, All At Once - the film that made her the first Asian woman to be given the Academy Award for Best Actress at the time. She was cast as a Bond girl in Tomorrow Never Dies, then starred in the global box office hit Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon and the brilliantly chilling future mother-in-law in Crazy Rich Asians. This month sees her returning to the role in Wicked, as Madame Morrible.

In person she is warm and engaging, with a fascinating story to tell. We talk about why mistakes help us grow, why she felt like a ‘failure’ for not having children (something we have in common), stage fright - and how she almost quit after a life-threatening stunt injury. Plus: racism, typecasting and why her mother is the REAL diva.

✨ IN THIS EPISODE:

01:16 The Journey to Hollywood

02:36 The Role of Family

03:52 On Playing Iconic Roles

08:10 Facing Personal Challenges

24:20 Think Wider: Breaking Family Expectations

25:38 Pursuing Dreams: From Ballet to Acting

27:16 The Hong Kong Film Industry: Early Challenges

27:33 Breaking Stereotypes: Women in Action Films

34:25 Hollywood's Limitations: Typecasting and Minority Roles

37:30 Facing Racism: The Ongoing Struggle

39:22 Stunt Accident: A Turning Point

47:57 Resilience and Reflection: Lessons Learned

💬 QUOTES TO REMEMBER:

When you're down, you learn. You become resilient, you become stronger and you learn from mistakes. Don't wallow in them.

I truly believe ups and downs are like a heartbeat. You can't just [go] one way. Right? That would be a flatline.

I believe in always moving forwards, because if you stay still you're just stagnant and you're just waiting for the inevitable.

An act of kindness or compassion goes a long, long way in our world and we are in so desperate need of that.

🔗 LINKS + MENTIONS:

Wicked: For Good is in cinemas from 21st November

Join the How To Fail community: https://howtofail.supportingcast.fm/#content

Elizabeth’s Substack: https://theelizabethday.substack.com/

📚 WANT MORE?

Sharon Horgan - on quitting art college and drama school, the impact of divorce and being in her 50s https://link.chtbl.com/hR7kycoN

Andrew Scott - on childhood failure, not finishing university and heteronormativity https://link.chtbl.com/18dVhMb_

💌 LOVE THIS EPISODE?

Subscribe on Spotify, Apple or wherever you get your podcasts

Leave a 5⭐ review – it helps more people discover these stories

👋 Follow How To Fail & Elizabeth:

Instagram: @elizabday

TikTok: @howtofailpod

Podcast Instagram: @howtofailpod

Website: www.elizabethday.org

Elizabeth and Michelle answer YOUR questions in our subscriber series, Failing with Friends. Join our community of subscribers here: howtofailpod.com

Have a failure you’re trying to work through for Elizabeth to discuss? Click here to get in touch: howtofailpod.com

Production & Post Production Coordinator: Eric Ryan

Engineer: Matias Torres

Assistant Producer: Suhaar Ali

Senior Producer: Hannah Talbot

Executive Producer: Carly Maile

How to Fail is an Elizabeth Day and Sony Music Entertainment Production.

Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts

To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices