My Asian Persuasion: Michelle Yeoh

Michelle Yeoh was born Yang Zi Chong in Ipoh West Malaysia 6 August 1962. The woman has got an abounding supply of talent and I think she's one of the coolest persons in the world. One impressive point I need mention about her is that she performs her own stunts in her movies.

She enrolled in ballet classes at the tender age of 4 and like Ziyi Zhang drew upon this skill in order to perform her stunts. She too has not been trained in martial arts. She relies heavily on her dance moves as well as on-set trainers. How amazing are these women?

She won the Miss Malaysia beauty pageant title and the Miss Moomba beauty pageant title in Melbourne, Australia in the early 1980s and was Malaysia's representative at the 1983 Miss World pageant in London.

She began her career in 1985. She married and retired from acting in 1988 but divorced in 1992 and has since returned to acting. She is best known to western audiences for her co-starring role alongside Pierce Brosnan in the 1997 James Bond film "Tomorrow Never Dies".

This is by far one of the best James Bond movies ever made! The chemistry between them both resonates throughout the movie and the action scenes were truly enjoyable and entertaining. Another role that was off the charts was the one she played in "Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon" in 2000.

Whoever decided to put Ziyi Zhang and Michelle in the same movie ripe with incredible action ought to be rewarded heavily. It was a stroke of pure genius! Can you tell that I am tickled pink by this? Just a little?


Yeoh owns her own production company, Mythical Films and is on a quest to find and mold new talent as well as find roles that have deeper meaning but will still allow her to perform incredible stunts.

Accomplishments:
One of the only female stars whom Jackie Chan lets do her own stunts.
A former Miss Malaysia, she got her start in acting in a commercial with Jackie Chan.

Fought her way to the top in the male-dominated genre of Hong Kong action films, where she has been known for years as the "queen of martial arts".

Has a Bachelor's Degree in Dance from the Royal Academy of Dance (London, England).

One of the highest paid Chinese-language actresses in the world.
Highest paid actress in Asia.


Released a single CD in 1993, "Love Quite Like a Comet", from her movie "Xin liu xing hu die jian" (Heroic Trio 2: Executioners) 1993.


She speaks 3 languages, English, Malay and Cantonese. However, she can't read Chinese and relies on pinyin (a system of phonetic notation) to pronounce words. In "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", she uses pinyin to recite her lines (with help from Mandarin speaking crew members) in Mandarin as she doesn't speak the language.


Personal Quotes:
"The reason why I decided to wait two years after the Bond movie, and to work with Ang Lee in a martial arts movie, is because I really believe that this genre deserves more respect and dignity than it's ever been given. Before, people saw it as a fairy tale; they felt they could take it easy. But it shouldn't be about that. It's so steeped in our culture, it should have more depth to it. It's never easy to find that balance, when it's such a magical type of film, to make you accept our soaring to the skies... it was a risk, but when we did this movie, it was for a Western audience."


"Learning how to walk in a kimono was an art form in itself - if you didn't learn to do it properly it was like dragging a dead cat across the floor! We had to walk with a piece of paper between your knees and a tea tray balanced on your head."



"In Asia, we constantly play Koreans, Malay, Chinese. We do not question that, as you do not question an Englishman playing an American or a German."

Upcoming movies:
Mulan (2008) (announced) (rumored)
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (2008) (post-production) .... Zijuan... aka The Mummy 3 (USA: informal title) set for release 1 August (USA)
Babylon A.D. (2008) to be released 29 August (USA)
The Children of Huang Shi (2008) aka Escape from Huang Shi (Singapore: English title) was released in China 3 April. Check www.IMDB.com for release dates in other countries for all movies listed.


Awards:
On April 19, 2001, Yeoh was awarded the Darjah Datuk Paduka Mahkota Perak (DPMP), which carries the title 'Dato' by Sultan Azlan Shah, the Sultan of Perak, her home state, in recognition of the fame she brought to the state. The award was given in conjunction with the Sultan's 73rd birthday celebrations. Dato is an honorary Malaysian title somewhat like a British knighthood, and it lies below the ranks of Dato' Seri, Tan Sri and Tun.


On November 25, 2002, Michelle Yeoh was honored as The Outstanding Young Persons of the World (TOYP) (Cultural Achievement) by JCI (Junior Chamber International).
On 23 April 2007 President Jacques Chirac awarded her Knight of the Legion of Honour of France. The decoration was presented to her in a ceremony in Kuala Lumpur on 3 October 2007.

My Asian Persuasion: Lucy Liu

The second of my Asian Pursuasion series brings to you Lucy Alexi Liu. Yes, she's smart, she's sexy, she's Asian, she's savvy and she can totally kick your ass before you can ask 'who's your momma?'

Liu was born in Queens, New Your to Chinese immigrants. Most might know her from her role in Ally McBeal which ran from 1998 - 2002 however, she very likely is best known for her roles in "Kill Bill" and both "Charlie's Angels" movies.

If I were to choose the role I preferred her in it would be the 'Angels' movies; love those. I especially liked the kick-ass built in with the precise humor.

In as much as "The Cleaner" was not a raving box office hit, I rather enjoyed that as well. She and Cedric were the perfect odd couple.

Did I mention somewhere before that the woman is damn sexy?

And did I mention that she is hot!

And desirable?

Huh? Did I? And isn't she just the cutest thing too?

Lucy has this quiet sophistication about her that's kinda hard to explain but not easy to miss.

Yet, there's that look in her eyes that seem to warn you not to get too comfortable with this because there's some fire burning beneath the surface of it all.

In her early career she made appearances on "NYPD Blue" (1993), "ER" (1994), and "The X Files" (1993).

Her first big screen appearance was in "Jerry Maguire" (1996) where she played an ex-girlfriend.

Since then she has had major roles in Jackie Chan's western "Shanghai Noon" (2000), "Charlie's Angels" (2000), Chicago (2002), "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle" (2003) and "Domino" (2005)to name a few.

Upcoming Movies:

Charlie Chan (2009)
Kung Fu Panda (2008) which is in post-production she will provide the voice of Master Viper. The Year of Getting to Know Us (2008) Jimmy Fallon and Sharon Stone also star.

Her hobbies include practicing the martial art of Kali-Eskrima-Silat (knife-and-stick fighting), skiing, rock climbing, riding horses and playing the accordion.

Accomplishments:
Graduated from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor with a degree in Asian languages and cultures.

Graduated from New York's prestigious Stuyvesant High School (1986).

Her mother is a biochemist, her father works as a civil engineer.

Was the first Asian-American female to host "Saturday Night Live" (1975).
Is an initiated sister of Chi Omega Sorority.

Is fluent in Mandarin Chinese, English, Italian, Spanish and a little Japanese.
Has had gallery exhibitions, showing her collage, paintings and photography.
Was named a U.S. Fund for UNICEF Ambassador (2005).

Personal Quotes:
I'm so proud of my heritage, but yes, I think there's always a danger when people put you on a pedestal. Especially when you're just trying to live your life and pursue your dreams. The intention is not to represent Asian Americans, but to be an Asian American who is working as an actress. People often confuse the two. When you are "representing," you have the burden of some people projecting their hopes onto you. This can eventually lead to a certain amount of disappointment. I strive to not deny myself experiences that open up to me. I hope to live without looking back in regret. If people want to join me on the ride, then I'm happy to have them along.

Martial arts are art forms and require a great deal of discipline and dedication. I so admire people who focus their lives on it, because it's not an easy thing to do.

*So did I mention that this woman is fucking smart? If I didn't, the above is proof positive wouldn't you say?*

AWARDS:

1999 SAG - Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series for "Ally McBeal" (1997) (shared with cast)

2001 Blockbuster Entertainment Award - Favorite Action Team for "Charlie's Angels" (2000) along with Drew Barrymore Cameron Diaz

2001 Blockbuster Entertainment Award - Favorite Supporting Actress for: "Shanghai Noon" (2000)

2003 Critics Choice Award Best Acting Ensemble for "Chicago" (2002) (shared with other cast members)

2003 Screen Actors Guild Awards (SAG) - Outstanding Performance by the Cast of a Theatrical Motion Picture for "Chicago" (2002)

2003 Young Hollywood Award - "Adrenaline Rush"

2004 MTV Movie Award - Best Villain for "Kill Bill: Vol. 1" (2003)