Michelle Yeoh: An Empress gets her star

So much of my curiosity about Chinese culture and symbolism started when I was a kid growing up in Canada watching Chinese dramas with my elders. Chinese people love costume dramas, throwing it back to the mysticism of the ancient martial arts masters or to the dynastic times, with royal court intrigue and the politics of the harem. That was my first introduction to Chinese imperial yellow, a colour that was reserved only for the emperor starting around the Tang dynasty. (Fun fact – Tang is 唐 in Chinese, and is also how Chinese people have colloquially referred to themselves: 唐人 means “Tang people” or Chinese people. And the term “Chinatown” in Chinese is 唐人街 or “street of Chinese people”.)

The Tang dynasty is considered one of the golden ages in China’s history and Emperor Taizong from that time is regarded as the dynasty’s greatest rulers. The first historical image of Chinese royalty I ever saw growing up is of him in imperial yellow dress…

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… and this is coming to mind today because Michelle Yeoh wore yellow at her Walk of Fame ceremony in Hollywood, an empress receiving her star.

@gala.fr #michelleyeoh #hollywoodboulevard #walkoffame #onregardequoi ♬ Paparazzi - Lady Gaga

Michelle is always intentional with visual presentation. We are currently in the Lunar New Year holiday season, yellow is lucky, and yellow is also prestige and power. Michelle would know this, Michelle is of the generation that would understand the significance and the moment. I love that she chose to commemorate this honour in a colour that is associated in Chinese culture with royalty – she crowned herself, as she should. She is acting royalty, a legend, an icon, she will be remembered.

Several members of the East Asian creative class came out to honour Michelle including Sandra Oh, Ke Huy Quan, Awkwafina, Jon M Chu, and Ang Lee. It was particularly wonderful to see her flanked by two directors of Chinese descent from different generations, both of whom have worked with her. 

@gma Michelle Yeoh is honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame 🤩 #michelleyeoh #hollywoodwalkoffame #star #walkoffame #malaysian ♬ original sound - Good Morning America

As Michelle said in her speech, her career path has not been straightforward. But even now in her 60s, she continues to defy convention. The latest? A short film directed by Sean Baker which was screened in Berlin last week where he also presented Michelle with the Golden Bear. Sandiwara stars… Michelle Yeoh x Michelle Yeoh x Michelle Yeoh x Michelle Yeoh. She is booked and busy and booked and booked and busier and busiest!