KUALA LUMPUR, March 13 — Childhood friend Datin Rosalina Ooi did not watch the live telecast of the 95th Academy Awards today that saw Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh bagging the Best Actress award.

This, according to Ooi, was to avoid any disappointments in the event Yeoh did not take home the coveted statuette.

But when informed by Malay Mail that Yeoh won, Ooi said she would message Michelle’s mother Janet immediately to congratulate the family about the win.

Ooi, who is married to former Ipoh Timur member of parliament Datuk Thong Fah Chong, said: “Auntie Janet was always very encouraging that we should be all we can be!”

According to Ooi, she and Michelle, who were schoolmates at the Main Convent, attended the same ballet class.

“She has always amazed me with her energy and flair be it in ballet, swimming and sports.”

“More importantly, she was always a lovely person with time to chat and share an opinion with her quiet elegance,” she said, adding that everyone is proud of Michelle’s achievement.

She noted that Michelle had worked hard to get to where she is today and an inspiration for the youth.

Concurring with Ooi, family friend May Goh said Michelle got to where she is today due to her hard work.

“She is an inspiration to all of us.”

According to Goh, she knew Michelle would win the award when the Oscars’ nominations were announced in January.

“After she won the Golden Globe and also the Screen Actors Guild Awards, I knew she would get the Oscars,” she said, adding that the Oscars was an icing on the cake.

Michelle, added Goh, is not known to be a person who gives up easily.

“I have known her for some 20 years and she only has all positive traits.”

Ipoh Chinese Chin Woo Athletic Association president Datuk Ooi Foh Sing said Michelle’s win was a proud moment for all Malaysians

“Malaysia has gotten another famous daughter,” he said.

Foh Sing said Michelle used to take martial arts lessons at the association in her teens.

“Her father, Datuk Yeoh Kian Teik was our association’s legal adviser. He brought her to learn so she could defend herself,” he added, remembering Michelle to be a petite girl.

Her knowledge in wushu was later put to good use when she became an actress and acted in movies that required her to be in fight scenes, added Foh Sing.