Michelle Yeoh’s Instagram post about a fellow Oscar nominee sparks confusion and debate inside the Academy

During the final hours of Oscar voting on Tuesday, “Everything, Everywhere, All at Once” nominee Michelle Yeoh created a stir when she published portions of a Vogue story on her Instagram account.

Yeoh shared each paragraph of the article headed “It’s Been Over Two Decades Since We’ve Had a Non-White Best Actress Winner” in numerous photos. “Will It Be Different in 2023?” One of the slides mentions Cate Blanchett of “Tár,” her fellow best actress nominee.

It says:

“Detractors would say that Blanchett’s is the stronger performance — the acting veteran is, indisputably, incredible as the prolific conductor Lydia Tár — but it should be noted that she already has two Oscars (for best supporting actress for The Aviator in 2005, and best actress for Blue Jasmine in 2014). A third would perhaps confirm her status as an industry titan but, considering her expansive and unparalleled body of work, are we still in need of yet more confirmation?”

“However, for Yeoh, an Oscar would be life-changing: her name would always be preceded by the phrase ‘Academy Award winner,’ and it should result in her obtaining meatier parts, after a decade of being unjustly underutilized in Hollywood,” the blurb reads.

Yeoh’s Instagram post has already been deleted.

Social media users said the message violated the Academy’s regulations, namely No. 11 headlined “References to Other Nominees.” It clearly prohibits “any approach that singles out ‘the competition’ by name or term.”

This is similar to the uproar surrounding Andrea Riseborough’s surprise Oscar nomination for “To Leslie.” One of the reported forceful techniques called into question during the Academy’s investigation was an Instagram post on the “To Leslie” official account, which was also deleted and, strangely, also included Blanchett.

The Academy found that the action did not reach to the threshold of rescinding the film’s candidacy. Yet, Academy CEO Bill Kramer stated in a statement that the Academy’s social media techniques “raised worry.”

If Riseborough’s camp does not face sanctions for possible transgressions that remain unclear under the Academy’s rules and regulations, Yeoh can relax ahead of the 95th ceremony on Sunday, where many experts expect a historic win.

Yeoh has a chance to become the second woman of color and the first Asian woman to win main actress. “Everything, Everywhere, Everything at Once” leads all films with 11 nominations and is widely regarded as the best picture frontrunner.

The Academy is likely to review and possibly amend its social media policies, which were developed prior to the popularity of Instagram, TikTok, and other platforms.