Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan make history at SAG awards
The pair became the first Asian actors to win top film prizes at the annual ceremony on Sunday.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Everything Everywhere All At Once stars Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan have made history by becoming the first Asian actors to win top film prizes at the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) awards.
Yeoh became the first Asian actor to win best performance by a female actor in a leading role, while Quan took home best supporting actor at the ceremony on Sunday.
Yeoh acknowledged that she had been “up against titans” in the category, as she accepted the prize.
“Every one of you know, the journey, the rollercoaster ride, the ups and downs. But most important, we never give up,” she said.
“This is not just for me, this is for every little girl that looks like me. Thank you for giving me a seat at the table because so many of us need this. We want to be seen, we want to be heard.”
Quan hailed the increasing diversity within the entertainment industry, in his own emotional acceptance speech.
The actor has stormed the 2023 awards season so far with his performance, beating Irish stars Brendan Gleeson and Barry Keoghan in the SAG category.
He appears alongside Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu and Jamie Lee Curtis in the sci-fi thriller, which sees a family torn apart by an interdimensional rift.
Acknowledging his achievement in his acceptance speech he said: “I quickly realised that this moment no longer belongs to me.
“It also belongs to everyone who has asked for change.
“The landscape looked so different now than before. So, thank you so much to all of you in this room and everyone who contributed to these changes.”
Finishing his remarks, he added: “To all those at home who are watching and struggling and waiting to be seen. Please keep on going, because the spotlight will one day find you.
“Thank you everyone for rooting for me. I will be rooting for you.”
Quan is only the second Asian male actor to win any individual SAG prize in either film or television, one year after Squid Game’s Lee Jung-Jae won the prize for male actor in a drama series.
This year he also won a Golden Globe and Critics Choice Award (CCA) for his performance – and is nominated for best supporting actor at the Oscars next month.
During an emotional speech last month at the CCA, he said he had been shown “so much kindness” since his return to mainstream acting.
Addressing critics and journalists, he said: “I was bracing for a very different reaction.
“But because of your generosity, I was welcomed back with so much positivity.
“You’ve not only helped audiences find our little movie, but you’ve also helped audiences to remember who I am. And for that I am so, so grateful to you.”
As a child Quan starred in several blockbuster films including the Indiana Jones franchise alongside Harrison Ford, and The Goonies.