If there is one thing Michelle Yeoh respects, it’s the power of friendship.
Yeoh was among one of five previous Best Actress winners who took the stage to present this year’s award at the 2024 Oscars ceremony. Not only did she have the honor of introducing one of the nominees, but she also announced Emma Stone as the winner for her role in Poor Things. But when Stone went to accept the award, Yeoh quickly handed the trophy off to Jennifer Lawrence to hand to the actress.
The moment caused a bit of visible confusion for Stone — and for viewers at home. On Monday, Yeoh explained why she handed off the award.
“Congratulations Emma!! I confused you , but I wanted to share that glorious moment of handing over Oscar to you together with your best friend Jennifer!! She reminded me of my Bae Jamie Lee Curtis always there for each other!!”
Stone’s win was a surprise upset over expected winner Lily Gladstone for Killers of the Flower Moon. She accepted the award in tears, pointing out her broken dress as she grabbed her trophy. “I’m pretty sure it happened during ‘I’m Just Ken’ [performance],” she quipped.
She went on to thank her fellow nominees, including Gladstone. “Sandra, Annette, Carey, Lily: I share this with you. I’m in awe of you, and it’s been such an honor to do all of this together, and I hope we get to do more together.”
She also gave a nod to another one of her best friends, Taylor Swift, while thanking her family, including her daughter, “who’s going to be three in three days and has turned our lives technicolor,” the actress said. “I love you bigger than the whole sky, my girl.”