Michelle Yeoh opened up about living authentically as she continues to find success in Hollywood at age 62.
Michelle Yeoh, 62, Says She Has No Regrets as She Continues to Thrive in Hollywood: 'I Wouldn't Be Where I Am Today'
Michelle Yeoh knows it gets greater later in life.
The Wicked star, 62, picked up an Oscar in 2023 for her work in Everything Everywhere All at Once and has continued to be one of the most in-demand actresses in Hollywood. Despite gaining notoriety after the age of 50, Yeoh made it clear she wouldn't have it any other way.
Michelle Yeoh doesn't have any regrets in her life.
"I’m not the kind of person who thinks, 'Oh, I should have done that.' I wouldn’t be where I am today," she explained in a recent interview. "My dad always said to me: ‘I wish you enough,’ when I was young, I would say, 'No, I don’t want to have enough! I want more!'"
Part of why the Crazy Rich Asians alum has continued to find work is because she never allowed anyone to advise her on what she was capable of. "Don't let anyone tell you you are past your prime," Yeoh stated. "Because when you allow that to happen, they put you in a box. They are telling you what you should be."
Michelle Yeoh won an Oscar in 2023 for her role in 'Everything Everywhere All at Once.'
"Be confident of who you are. Do what you love," she instructed. "Life is short. Live it the way you want to."
Although Yeoh is a veteran of the industry, her role as Madame Morrible in the big screen adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical was a challenge for her since she isn't a vocalist. "I’ve been around her long enough to know that she has great rhythm, great tone, and that she can sing, She was scared, but she dove headfirst into vocal training. She did a great job," director Jon M. Chu explained of her casting.
Michelle Yeoh did vocal training to prepare for her role in 'Wicked.'
Despite the filmmaker's confidence in her, the Last Christmas actress hesitated to sign on at first. "With Wicked, I remember when Jon Chu called and I said, 'Jon, you realize this is a musical, right? You know I don't sing, right?'" Yeoh recalled of being pitched about the project. "He said, 'Yeah, don't worry.' And I must say, it challenged me on a completely different level."
With her resume expanding, Yeoh wants to continue to make great art. “The truth is, I love what I do,” Yeoh explained of her job. “Even though I say I work too much, I thrive on working. I love being with creative people. I thrive on being challenged, because then I am learning, I am evolving.”
Michelle Yeoh made it clear she 'loves' what she does for a living.
AARP conducted the interview with Yeoh and Chu.
