WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO TO CELEBRATE TODAY?
I want to call my family. I want to give my wife a hug. They have supported me all these years unconditionally. They saw me when I was struggling. They were happy for me starting out making those movies. And when I was dispirited, they were worried for me. They would always ask if there was anything they could do for me, even offering me to go up to Houston – where the majority of my family lives – to see if I wanted to do something else. So they understand my struggles more than anybody. Ever since our movie came out, especially during awards season, they have been so, so happy for me. Seeing their smiles, their joy, that’s what warms my heart. That’s what I’m grateful for. Especially my wife who I’ve been married to for 22 years now. Every month, every year, she tells that: “Ke, one day it will happen.” She never wavered in her belief in me. (Quan’s voice quivers) When I didn’t believe in myself, she believed in me.
MICHELLE YEOH DESCRIBED HER OSCAR NOMINATION AS A VALIDATION. ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING YOU WENT THROUGH THOSE LONG PERIODS OF SELF-DOUBT, IS IT THE SAME FOR YOU?
She’s right. It’s the biggest validation. When I stepped in front of the camera, I didn’t know whether I could do this again, and I didn’t know if the audience wanted to see me do this again. All I knew was that I felt happy when I was in front of the camera. I felt very comfortable, like that’s where I belong. So this nomination means that I made the right decision. For the longest time, when I was much, much younger, I was so lost because I didn’t see a road for me. But now I see it. I think this means that I get to do this for as long as I like. And honestly, to be able to do something that you love, it’s such a huge luxury. That’s what this nomination is. It means the world to me.
