Hollywood, Calif. – The aftermath of the Oscars has brought attention to an awkward moment between Emma Stone and Michelle Yeoh. Yeoh took to social media to address the incident, explaining that she unintentionally confused Stone on stage while presenting her with the best actress award for her role in “Poor Things.”
The video footage of the moment captured Stone receiving the award from Yeoh and then quickly turning to Jennifer Lawrence, seemingly ignoring Yeoh in the process. However, Yeoh clarified on Instagram that she had simply wanted to share the moment of handing over the Oscar with Stone and Lawrence, likening their bond to that of Jamie Lee Curtis and her significant other.
The incident involving Stone and Yeoh was not the only one during the ceremony that garnered attention. Viewers also pointed out a similar situation where Robert Downey Jr. appeared to overlook last year’s best supporting actor winner, Ke Huy Quan, when accepting his award for “Oppenheimer.”
The online backlash sparked accusations of unconscious discrimination against Asians and disrespectful behavior towards the martial arts icon. Despite the criticisms, neither Stone, Downey, nor Quan responded to requests for comment from NBC News.
For Yeoh, the night held special significance as she celebrated the one-year anniversary of her historic best actress win, making her the first Asian to receive the award in the Academy’s 95-year history. In her acceptance speech last year, Yeoh emphasized the importance of representation, stating that her win was a beacon of hope and possibilities for young boys and girls who look like her.
Overall, the Oscars controversy shed light on issues of representation and recognition in the entertainment industry, prompting discussions about diversity and inclusivity. Yeoh’s graceful response to the situation served as a reminder of the importance of acknowledging and uplifting marginalized voices in Hollywood.