Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh made history by becoming the first Malaysian and Asian to win the Best Actress award at the Oscars. — AFP pic Summary Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh, despite her Oscar-winning success, continues to receive her mother's characteristic nagging over her appearance and busy schedule. During an interview with Sin Chew Daily, she humorously shared that this is her mother's way of expressing love, a sentiment echoed in her latest film "It's My Time," where she portrays a nagging mother. This dynamic, familiar to many Asian families, underlines how parental expressions of love often manifest as concern over their children's well-being. By Malay Mail First Published: Saturday, 25 Jul 2026 9:21 AM MYT Last Modified: Saturday, 25 Jul 2026 9:26 AM MYT KUALA LUMPUR, July 25 — Not even an Academy Award can spare Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh from the one thing millions of Asian children know all too well: a mother's relentless nagging.The Malaysian Oscar winner revealed that despite conquering Hollywood, she still gets an earful from her mum over her appearance and hectic schedule.“Just a few days ago, my mum kept saying: ‘Why are you so thin? Why are you working so hard?’” Yeoh joked during an interview with Sin Chew Daily.But the Everything Everywhere All at Once star said those familiar refrains are simply her mother's way of expressing love.The conversation came as the Ipoh-born actress promoted her latest Chinese-language film, It’s My Time, which opened in Malaysian cinemas on Thursday.Yeoh stars as Rubik’s Cube master Zhao Yanhong, whose relationship with her son, played by Chinese actor Bai Ke, is marked by her constant nagging and disagreements with his wife over parenting.For Yeoh, the family dynamic on screen is one many Asian families will instantly recognise.“Asian parents especially like to express their love by nagging.“Zhao Yanhong is always telling her son he’s not capable enough or that he lacks confidence,” she said, noting that in many Eastern families, love is deeply hidden.While Yeoh may be one of Hollywood's biggest stars, it seems she's still not immune to hearing she's too thin or working too hard whenever mum is around — proving that some parental habits never change.
Even an Oscar can’t save Michelle Yeoh from mum’s nagging: ‘Why are you working so hard?’
KUALA LUMPUR, July 25 — Not even an Academy Award can spare Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh from the one thing millions of Asian children know all too well: a mother's relentless...






