Michelle Yeoh SaysWickedCast Were 'Crying' Over Director Jon M. Chu's Oscar Snub Despite Film's 10 Nominations

Mar. 15, 2025

Michelle Yeoh and Jon M. Chu.Photo:Neil Mockford/WireImage; Taylor Hill/Getty

Neil Mockford/WireImage; Taylor Hill/Getty

Michelle Yeohis reacting toWicked’s 10Academy Awardsnominations— and one category where it missed the cut.

Yeoh, 62, appeared onThe Viewon Thursday, Jan. 23 to promote her newStar TrekmovieStar Trek: Section 31, just after this year’s Oscar nominations were announced. Yeoh’s costarsAriana GrandeandCynthia Erivoboth received nominations for their acting and the film is also among this year’s 10 Best Picture nominees, giving theWickedteama reason to celebrate. Still, they wish their directorJon M. Chuwas recognized.

“We are all crying with joy, but we must say we are also crying because Jon M. Chu and Alice Brooks, our [director of photography], were not nominated,” Yeoh said, when asked whether she had spoken with Grande, 31, and Erivo, 38, since their nominations were announced. “But the rest of us are celebrating — Best Picture, costume, hair. It is major.”

AfterThe Viewcohost Ana Navarro remarked, “This is the second time they’ve passed over Jon Chu. He should have been nominated forIn the Heights,” Yeoh said, “Yes, I agree with you!”

Michelle Yeoh and Jon M. Chu on April 10, 2024.Jerod Harris/Getty

Jerod Harris/Getty

Chu, 45, was left out of the five-person Best Director field at this year’s Oscars; Sean Baker (Anora), Brady Corbet (The Brutalist), James Mangold (A Complete Unknown),Jacques Audiard (Emilia Pérez) and Coralie Fargeat (The Substance) make up the nominee field for that category. In total,Wickedis tied withThe Brutalistfor the second-most nominations among any movie this year;Emilia Pérezreceived 13 total nominations and leads the field.

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“He is incredibly brilliant, and all of the other nominations stems from Jon,” Grande toldVarietyin a Jan. 23 interview, when asked for her take on why Chu did not receive a Best Director nomination. “I know he feels like seeingWickedbe celebrated is a celebration of him as well. We just got off Facetime, and I told him how much I love him, and the truth, which is that absolutely none of this could have happened without his leadership, brilliance, empathy and thoughtfulness.”

Cynthia Erivo, Michelle Yeoh, Jon M. Chu, Marc Platt and Jeff Goldblum on Jan. 5, 2025.Rich Polk/GG2025/Penske Media via Getty

Rich Polk/GG2025/Penske Media via Getty

Erivo also shouted out Chu in anInstagram postshe shared in reaction to her own nomination; she wouldbecomeanEGOThonoree if she wins the Best Actress award. “Thank you @jonmchu, our fearless leader whose kindness provided us with the room to play, you are deserving of all good things and I’m lucky to call you my brother,” she wrote in a caption.

source: people.com