Michelle Yeoh made history after winning best actress at the Oscars for her role in Everything Everywhere All at Once as she became the first Asian lead actress to receive the award.

She then used her acceptance speech to launch what seemed to be an attack on CNN anchor Don Lemon, who said that Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley, 51, ‘isn’t in her prime.’

“Ladies, don’t let anybody tell you you’re ever past your prime,” Yeoh said.

“For all the little boys and girls who look like me watching tonight, this is the beacon of hope and possibilities,” the Malaysian-born actress said.

“This is proof. Dream big. And dreams do come true. And ladies, don’t let anybody tell you you are ever past your prime. Never give up,” she added.

Yeoh also thanked the cast and crew of Everything Everywhere All At Once as she dedicated the award to her mom, who was watching in Malaysia.

Lemon’s remarks sparked outrage, with co-anchors Kaitlan Collins and Poppy Harlow looking completely surprised and Lemon not appearing for the next few shows.

“A woman is considered to be in her prime in her 20s and 30s and maybe 40s,” Lemon said, leaving his co-hosts dismayed.

But he refused to step back after Harlow questioned his comments, even telling her to ‘look it up.’

Yeoh’s speech set the internet alight, with Netflix writer P.T. Philben writing on Twitter: “Michelle Yeoh calling out CNN’s Don Lemon was not on my Oscar bingo card.”

Another tweeted: “May Michelle Yeoh’s encouragement for us women to be aware, that there’s no timeframe for being in our prime, echo very loudly in the ears of Don Lemon. Huge congrats to her!”

A third said: “MICHELLE YEOH CALLING OUT DON LEMON IS GIVING ME LIFE.”

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