Awkwafina

Celebrity   , , , ,
Awkwafina

Name: Nora Lum (known professionally as Awkwafina)

Introduction: Awkwafina is an American actress, comedian, rapper, writer, and producer. She initially gained prominence through her comedic rap music videos on YouTube, before transitioning to a highly successful career in film and television, becoming celebrated for her distinctive voice, sharp wit, and versatile performances.

Date of Birth: June 2, 1988

Height: 1.55 m (5 ft 1 in)

Place of Birth: Stony Brook, New York, U.S. (She was raised in Forest Hills, Queens, New York).

Family:

  • Parents:
    • Wally Lum (father): Chinese American, his family owned one of the first Chinese restaurants in Flushing, Queens.
    • Tia Lum (mother): Korean American, a painter who immigrated from South Korea. Her mother passed away when Awkwafina was four years old.
  • Spouse/Children: She is not publicly known to be married and has no children.
  • Relatives: She was primarily raised by her father and paternal grandparents, developing a particularly close bond with her paternal grandmother. She also has a cousin, Edmund, who is featured in her semi-autobiographical series Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens.

Profession: Actress, comedian, rapper, writer, producer.

Nationality: American

Religion: No specific religious affiliation is publicly stated. She was raised in a household with a Chinese American father and Korean American mother.

College or University Attended:

  • Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts (studied trumpet, classical music, and jazz).
  • Beijing Language and Culture University (studied Mandarin Chinese from 2006 to 2008).
  • University at Albany, State University of New York (graduated in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts in journalism and women’s studies).

Biography and What Famous For:
Born Nora Lum, Awkwafina grew up in Forest Hills, Queens, New York. Her early life was marked by the loss of her mother at a young age, leading her to be largely raised by her father and paternal grandmother, to whom she attributes much of her unique humor and worldview. She adopted the stage name “Awkwafina” at 16, describing it as a more confident and outgoing alter ego.

Awkwafina first gained significant traction as a rapper and internet personality. In 2012, her comedic rap song “My Vag” went viral on YouTube, demonstrating her distinct voice and fearless, explicit humor. She followed this with her debut album, Yellow Ranger, in 2014. Her early career also included appearances on MTV’s Girl Code and hosting her own web talk show, Tawk.

Her career soared with key roles in major Hollywood films:

  • Ocean’s 8 (2018): She played Constance, a street-smart pickpocket, alongside an ensemble cast of leading actresses.
  • Crazy Rich Asians (2018): Her hilarious portrayal of Goh Peik Lin, Rachel Chu’s eccentric best friend, solidified her as a comedic breakout star and introduced her to a massive global audience.
  • The Farewell (2019): This dramatic role as Billi, a young woman navigating a family secret, earned her widespread critical acclaim and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, making her the first woman of Asian descent to win a Golden Globe in a lead acting film category.

She has continued to demonstrate her range in various projects:

  • Jumanji: The Next Level (2019): Joining the popular action-comedy franchise.
  • Raya and the Last Dragon (2021): Lending her voice to the dragon Sisu in the animated Disney film.
  • Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021): Becoming part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Katy.
  • The Little Mermaid (2023): Voicing the character Scuttle in the live-action remake.
  • Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens (2020–present): She co-created, writes, and stars in this semi-autobiographical comedy series on Comedy Central, which further explores her life and family dynamics in Queens.

Awkwafina is famous for her unique comedic style, characterized by her low, raspy voice and deadpan delivery, her trailblazing success as an Asian American actress and rapper in Hollywood, and her ability to seamlessly transition between comedy and drama.

Have participated:

  • Films:
    • Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising (2016)
    • Storks (2016, voice)
    • Dude (2018)
    • Ocean’s 8 (2018)
    • Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
    • The Farewell (2019)
    • Jumanji: The Next Level (2019)
    • The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run (2020, voice)
    • Breaking News in Yuba County (2021)
    • Raya and the Last Dragon (2021, voice)
    • Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)
    • The Bad Guys (2022, voice)
    • The Little Mermaid (2023, voice)
    • Migration (2023, voice)
    • Renfield (2023)
    • Kung Fu Panda 4 (2024, voice)
  • Television:
    • Girl Code (2014–2015)
    • Girl Code Live (2015, co-host)
    • Tawk (2015–2017, web series, host)
    • Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens (2020–present, star, co-creator, writer, executive producer)
    • The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance (2019, voice)
    • The Simpsons (2020, voice guest)
    • Fairfax (2021, voice)
  • Music Albums:
    • Yellow Ranger (2014)
    • In Fina We Trust (2018)
  • Books:
    • Awkwafina’s NYC (2015, guidebook)
  • Awards:
    • Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy (for The Farewell, 2020)
    • Various nominations including Critics’ Choice Movie Awards, MTV Movie & TV Awards, Satellite Awards, and Screen Actors Guild Awards.