How do the two stories we read about Michelle Yeoh “represent” her —tell her story in different ways? How have the writers’ differing audiences and purposes shaped the telling?
In the first article from GQ Magazine, Michelle Yeoh is represented as someone who is inspiring and graceful, perhaps in an attempt to promote the films she is in. As one of the most ‘physically gifted actresses alive’, they present her as a successful woman who has helped promote change in the stereotypes of Asians represented in movies. The article is quite literary to perhaps emphasize her successes, with her ‘tiger-like grace’ and her eyes ‘twinkling’ suggesting that she is almost superhuman. The article was written by a female (Michelle Lhooq) for the GQ magazine, which could show that the author may want the male readers to respect Yeoh as a successful woman or be impressed by her ‘physical prowess’. This article was clearly written before the scandal of the BN party that she supported, hence, she is shown more as a symbol of inspiration for aspiring Asian actors rather than an opportunist taking advantage of someone else’s downfall.
In the second article, however, she is rather harshly criticized by the New Straits Times due to the fact that she was previously a supporter of the Barisan Nasional party, and since the prime minister has been placed on a corruption scandal, has announced that she would be a co-producer to a film based on ‘Billion Dollar Whale’ in which the scandal is the main focus. The date, which is one month after Text A was written, suggests that Michelle Yeoh was previously somewhat of an icon for Malaysia, but after the announcement was released, cultural pride has led her to be heavily criticized. The article makes her seem like an opportunist, as she is shown to be involved in a film that profits her, using the prime minister’s downfall as a way to make money. As it is written to a predominantly Malaysian audience, the sense of national pride is reflected in the fact that she had endorsed an ‘enemy’, showcased by quotes of quite famous people such as ‘[this is] the very definition of irony’.
