“Everything Everywhere All at Once” (“EEAO”) celebrated a historic sweep at the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards on Sunday.
The hit A24 movie became the most awarded film in SAG history with four wins: Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture; Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role (Michelle Yeoh); Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role (Ke Huy Quan); and Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role (Jamie Lee Curtis). Stephanie Hsu was also nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role.
Yeoh, 60, notably became the first Asian woman to win the SAG Award for best actress in a leading role for her performance as protagonist Evelyn Wang. Meanwhile, Quan, 51, became the first Asian man to win a SAG Award for best actor in a supporting role for portraying Evelyn’s husband, Waymond Wang.
“I think if I speak my heart will explode,” Yeoh said during her acceptance speech. “SAG-AFTRA, to get this from you, who understands what it is to get here, every one of you know the journey, the roller coaster ride, the ups and downs. But most important, we never give up. … This is not just for me. This is for every little girl that looks like me.”
During her speech, Yeoh also said “sh*t” and “f*ck” in excitement and disbelief.
“Thank you for giving me a seat at the table because so many of us need this. We want to be seen. We want to be heard. And tonight, you have shown us that it is possible. And I am grateful. And my mom will be eternally grateful to you,” she concluded.
When I heard this, I quickly realized that this moment no longer belongs to just me. It also belongs to everyone who has asked for change. When I stepped away from acting, it was because there were so few opportunities. And now tonight, here we are, celebrating James Hong, Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Shu, Hong Chau, Harry Shum Jr. The landscape looks so different now than before. So, thank you so much to all of you in this room and everyone who contributed to these changes. And, thank you so much to SAG-AFTRA for this truly, truly prestigious honor.”
He continued by praising Yeoh, Curtis and the rest of the “EEAAO” cast before wrapping up with words of encouragement: “Lastly, to all those at home who are watching, who are struggling and waiting to be seen, please keep on going because the spotlight will one day find you.”
