Michelle Yeoh, who appeared in 3 seasons of Star Trek: Discovery and is returning in the Section 31 streaming movie, is getting another big honor. The Academy Award-winning actress was at the White House today, presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Presidential Michelle
This morning the White House announced actress Michelle Yeoh was one of nineteen individuals to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country’s highest civilian honor. The medal is presented to “individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavors.” Others awarded this year include former Vice President Al Gore, astronaut Ellen Ochoa, Olympic athlete Kathleen Genevieve Ledecky, United Farm Workers president Teresa Romero, and astronomer Jane Rigby.
The ceremony was held at the White House this afternoon. At the event, President Biden said of Yeoh:
“For decades, and on and off the screen, Michelle Yeoh has shattered stereotypes and glass ceilings to enrich and enhance American culture. Her roles transcend gender, cultures, and languages. From martial arts, to romantic comedies, to science fiction, to show us what we all have in common. As the first Asian actor to win an Oscar as Best Actress, she bridges cultures to not only to entertain, but also inspire and open hearts and that’s what she keeps doing. Congratulations.”
Yeoh was introduced during the ceremony with:
“Michelle Yeoh is one of the most acclaimed actresses of our time. For four decades, she has faced and shattered stigma and stereotypes to forge a groundbreaking career as one of the most versatile performers in the world, becoming the first Asian to win the Academy Award for Best Actress. Her efforts to advance gender equality, conservation issues, and global health have been felt around the world. Equal parts performer and pioneer, Michelle Yeoh continues to enrich American culture and inspires us to believe in possibilities on the big screen and beyond.”
The Presidential Medal of Freedom joins other recent honors and accolades for Yeoh, including her 2023 Oscar for Everything Everywhere All at Once. In just the last year, Yeoh was also honored with the Woman in Motion Award by the Cannes Film Festival and the Crystal Award from the World Economic Forum.
You can watch a replay of the live video of the full event below…
Returning to Trek soon
Michelle Yeoh first appeared in the series premiere of Star Trek: Discovery as Captain Phillipa Georgiou, returning later in the season as Mirror Universe Emperor Georgiou. She returned to the Emperor Georgiou role in seasons 2, joining Starfleet’s nefarious secret organization Section 31, before joining the Discovery crew when they jumped into the 32nd century in season 3.
Georgiou was last seen in season 3 of Discovery returning to the past, designed to set up her return in Star Trek: Section 31, a streaming movie that wrapped up production earlier in March. According to the synopsis, “In Star Trek: Section 31, Emperor Philippa Georgiou, joins a secret division of Starfleet tasked with protecting the United Federation of Planets and faces the sins of her past.”
The supporting cast has been announced, including Kacey Rohl who will be playing a young Rachel Garrett, from the classic TNG episode “Yesterday’s Enterprise.” Paramount+ has released a single image from the streaming movie.
Michelle Yeoh as Mirror Georgiou and Joe Pingue as Dada Noe in Star Trek: Section 31
Paramount has yet to set a release date for Section 31.
Keep up with news about the Star Trek Universe at TrekMovie.com
