Achieving stardom is difficult enough, but being recognised with an international award is on another level. Not many Malaysian celebrities manage to reach this milestone, but we do have some talents who have been nominated for or won such prestigious awards.
Whether for acting or music, this article will highlight which of our stars have made the country proud by receiving global recognition. Let’s get into it:
1. Michelle Yeoh
Let’s start with Tan Sri Dato’ Michelle Yeoh. Although her acting career began in Hong Kong, the Ipoh-born actress made history by not only becoming the first Malaysian-born star to win an Academy Award for Best Actress but also the first Asian woman to be nominated in 88 years, since Merle Oberon in 1935. Other notable recognitions include:
- Golden Globe Awards – “Everything Everywhere All at Once”
- Screen Actors Guild Awards – “Everything Everywhere All at Once”, “Crazy Rich Asians” (Nominated)
- Golden Horse Awards – Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (Nominated)
2. Siti Saleha
Starting her career as a model, Siti Saleha has made a name for herself in the acting industry. In 2024, she was named Outstanding Asian Star at the Seoul International Drama Awards. Although she wasn’t nominated for a certain category, she was recognised for the award based on votes by fans for her performance in the 2024 series “SeOfis”. Other notable recognitions include:
- Asia Model Festival 2020 – Malaysia Model Star Award
3. Lyia Meta
Local artist Lyia Meta made history by becoming the first Malaysian vocalist to be nominated for a Grammy Award for her track “Delta Shine”, a collaboration with Latin-American musician Antonio Vergara on his album “The Fury”. Although she was not nominated as a solo artist, her contribution to “The Fury”, which earned a nomination in the Best Contemporary Blues Album category, is a huge milestone in itself. Other notable recognitions include:
- Texas Sounds International Country Music Awards 2022 – Female Vocalist of the Year, Virtual Entertainer of the Year
- Global Music Awards 2025 – Silver Medal for Outstanding Achievement in Jazz Pop
4. Dato’ Sri Siti Nurhaliza
One of Siti Nurhaliza’s earliest international music awards was the Singapore Music Awards in 1996. Malaysia’s No.1 singer won a total of two awards for Most Popular Song (“Mawarku”) and Most Popular Newcomer (Female). Other notable recognitions include:
- MTV Asia Awards – Favourite Artiste Malaysia (2002 – 2005)
- Indonesian Music Awards – Most Lucrative Foreign Artiste, Malaysia’s Best Album, The Best Islamic Spiritual Song Production Work
- Intuned Music Awards – Best Album (“All Your Love”), Best Music Video (“Fallin’ in Love”)
- McMillan Woods Global Awards 2016 – Outstanding Singer of The Year
5. Jack Tan
The 2023 neo-noir crime drama “Abang Adik” has received critical acclaim and numerous prestigious awards. Sadly, it didn’t make the cut for an Academy Award nomination, but our very own Jack Tan, who played ‘Adik’ in the film, was nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the 60th Golden Horse Awards. Although he didn’t win this time, the local star has won other international acting awards throughout his career. Other notable recognitions include:
- 20th Shanghai International Film Festival – “Shuttle Life”
- 12th Chinese Young Generation Film Forum Awards – “Shuttle Life”
- 17th Asian Film Awards – “Abang Adik” (Nominated)
6. Yeo Yann Yann
In 2020, actress Yeo Yann Yann brought home the award for Best Actress in A Leading Role at the Asian Academy Creative Awards for her role in the HBO Asia series, “Invisible Stories”. Just like everyone else on this list, this was not the first time she had been nominated for or won an international award. Other notable recognitions include:
- Golden Horse Awards – “Ilo Ilo” (Best Supporting Actress), “Wet Season” (Best Leading Actress)
- 8th Asian Film Awards – “Ilo Ilo” (Best Supporting Actress)
- 48th International Emmy Awards – “Invisible Stories” (Nominated)
7. Chong Keat-aun
Just like any filmmaker in Malaysia, director-writer Chong Keat-aun named the late and great Yasmin Ahmad as one of his inspirations. He hopes to create more films that reflect the lives of the people of Malaysia. The Kedah-born filmmaker made his home country proud when he won Best New Director at the 57th Golden Horse Awards back in 2020. Other notable recognitions include:
- 22nd Busan International Film Festival – “Cemetery of Courtesy” (Nominated)
- 45th Hong Kong International Film Festival – “The Story of Southern Islet”
- 60th Golden Horse Awards – “Snow in Midsummer”
