Born in Malaysia to an affluent family, Yeoh almost had a career as a ballet dancer. When an injury sealed off that option, she ventured into the Hong Kong film industry, initially playing the – no surprise – damsel in distress. She wasn’t happy to just watch her male counterparts perform dangerous but choreographed stunts. Yeoh started her action career in hit films like Yes, Madam (1985) and Police Story 3: Super Cop (1992) in which she starred opposite Jackie Chan. Since then, Yeoh has performed in an enviable range of roles, often portraying women who are strong, elegant and subversive. Through her work in projects such as Gunpower Milkshake (2022), Crazy Rich Asians (2018) and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021), the actor has proved to be a one-woman battering ram against the stereotypes that surround Asian women.
