Halle Berry and Michelle Yeoh: From Miss World beauties to the Oscars-winning actresses
History has been made as Michelle Yeoh becomes the first Asian woman to receive an Oscar for Best Actress. A milestone in the Academy’s 95-year-run, the Everything Everywhere All at Once star becomes the second woman of color to win the prestigious award.
Michelle continues the legacy of Halle Berry, who with her performance in the film Monster’s Ball became the first Black woman to win the Oscar for Best Actress in 2021. Coincidentally enough, it was Halle that was presenting the award that Michelle would eventually win!
Their cute interaction began to garner interest online and people started to notice their connections. For instance, both of them had the chance to become a Bond Girl. Michelle and Halle both starred as Pierce Brosnan’s leading ladies in the movies Tomorrow Never Dies and Die Another Day, respectively.
Interesting right? However, that’s not the only thing they have in common.
Prior to their success in the entertainment industry, a few people might know that their career started when they were first beauty pageant contestants. Both competing at Miss World, little did they know that their destiny is leading them to more than winning the crown.
As we celebrate the achievements of these two women, here’s a backstory into their beauty queen days. Showing that they might have not captured the world, but they sure did take Hollywood by storm.
Halle and Michelle: From Miss World Queens to the Oscars-winning actresses
Halle Berry, Miss World United States 1986
In 1986, Halle Berry represented the state of Ohio at the Miss USA pageant. There, she finishes second, placing as 1st runner-up to Christie Fichtner of Texas. At that time, the first runners-up were being sent to Miss World.
As the official delegate of the United States, Halle would fly to London for Miss World 1986. Finishing in the Top 7, Halle ranked sixth behind Trinidad and Tobago’s Giselle Laronde.
Michelle Yeoh, Miss Malaysia 1983
At the age of 20-years-old, Michelle Yeoh won Miss Malaysia in 1983. Making her the country’s entrant at that year’s Miss World, she went to London for the competition. So close yet so far, Michelle finished 18th and was unable to enter the Top 15 semifinals.
A year later, Michelle would then compete at another pageant. This time at the Miss Moomba International 1984. Taking place in Australia, Michelle ended up winning the pageant.
In an interview at the Graham Norton Show, Michelle said that it was her mother that made her join pageants.
In the words of Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, “On your path, you are never denied, and only redirected.” May both Michelle and Halle be reminders that greater things will come in our way as long as we work hard and have faith.
From being inspirational pageant candidates to groundbreaking actresses, these two women are definitely queens in their own right!
