Michelle Yeoh says ‘nobody was getting me off that stage’ at Golden Globes

Organisers attempted to cut short her acceptance speech by playing exit music
80th Annual Golden Globe Awards - Show
Michelle Yeoh accepts a Golden Globe
Getty Images
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Michelle Yeoh has spoken out about when Golden Globes organisers apparently attempted to cut her winner’s speech short - saying “nobody was getting me off that stage.”

Yeoh, 60, won Best Actress In A Musical Or Comedy for her role in Everything Everywhere All At Once at the Golden Globes in January.

During her acceptance speech, the Malaysian actress began speaking about her experiences of her four-decade career.

But it seemed organisers felt she’d taken up enough time – and they started playing exit music indicating her time was up.

The actor, who has been nominated for an Oscar for the same role, refused to leave and laughed: “Shut up, please. I can beat you up, OK?”

Speaking on the Graham Norton Show, the star said about the debacle:  “They tried [to get her off stage] didn’t they. Come on, this is the first time I got a nomination and won. I worked for 40 years for it, so nobody was getting me off that stage! I was like, ‘Back off, I’m taking all this in.’”

Speaking about the film specifically, Yeoh said: “It is almost impossible to describe. Beyond the wackiness, the core of the story is about family. I love that an ordinary ageing immigrant mother and wife is allowed to be a superhero. It has resonated with so many people of different generations. It’s a little movie with a big heart.”

Asked if the success of the new film has changed the rest of her career, she says, “I hope it will give me more challenges and a lot more things to look forward to.”

The star appeared on the Graham Norton show
PA

Yeoh is up for the Best Acress Award against Cate Blanchett for Tar; Ana de Armas for Blonde; Andrea Riseborough for To Leslie; and Michelle Williams for The Fabelmans at the Oscars, which take place next month.

Elvis star Austin Butler, Scottish actor Jack Lowden, dancer Ashley Banjo and Brit-nominated singer songwriter Mimi Webb also appear on the show, which will air tonight on BBC One.

The Graham Norton Show, BBC One on Friday, February 3, at 10.40pm.

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