Awkwafina Bio
Nora Lum (born June 2, 1988), known professionally as Awkwafina, is an American actress and rapper. She rose to prominence in 2012 when her rap song “My Vag” became popular on YouTube. Awkwafina has had significant roles in major films like “Crazy Rich Asians” and “The Farewell,” winning a Golden Globe for the latter. She stars in the series “Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens” and has voiced characters in various animated films.
Early Life and Background
Awkwafina was born in Stony Brook, New York, the only child of Wally Lum, a Chinese American, and Tia Lum, a Korean American. Her father worked in the information technology field and comes from a family of restaurateurs. Her great-grandfather immigrated to the United States in the 1940s and opened one of the first Chinese restaurants in Flushing, Queens. Awkwafina’s mother was a painter who immigrated from South Korea in 1972 and passed away from pulmonary hypertension in 1992 when Awkwafina was just four years old. Following her mother’s death, she was raised by her father and paternal grandparents, becoming especially close to her grandmother, Powah Lum. Awkwafina grew up in Forest Hills, Queens, and attended Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School, where she played the trumpet and was trained in classical music and jazz. At age 15, she adopted the stage name Awkwafina, which she described as an alter ego to her more passive personality during her college years. She cited various literary and musical influences, including Charles Bukowski and Chet Baker. From 2006 to 2008, she learned Mandarin at Beijing Language and Culture University to communicate with her grandmother. She graduated from the University at Albany, State University of New York, in 2011 with a degree in journalism and women’s studies.
Path to Hollywood
Awkwafina began rapping at the age of 13 and started producing music using GarageBand. In 2012, her song “My Vag” became a viral hit on YouTube, leading to her being fired from her job at a publishing house when her employer recognized her in the video. Her debut album, “Yellow Ranger,” was released in 2014 and included several tracks that had gained popularity online. She also appeared in the MTV comedy series “Girl Code” in 2014 and co-hosted its spin-off, “Girl Code Live,” on MTV in 2015. In 2016, she played a supporting role in “Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising” and voiced a character in the animated film “Storks.” Her early career was marked by her unique blend of comedy and music, which helped her transition into the broader film and television industry.
Awkwafina Career
Early Career (2005–2017)
Awkwafina’s early career included various roles in television and film, but her breakout came with her performance in the critically acclaimed film “Crazy Rich Asians” in 2018, where she played Goh Peik Lin, a college friend of the lead character. The film was a commercial success and showcased her comedic talents. In 2019, she starred in “The Farewell,” directed by Lulu Wang, where she played Billi, a writer who visits her ill grandmother in China. This role earned her significant recognition and led to her winning the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical, making her the first person of Asian descent to win a Golden Globe in a lead actress category.
Breakthrough (2018–2021)
Awkwafina’s breakthrough in Hollywood was solidified with her role in “Crazy Rich Asians” and further enhanced by her performance in “The Farewell.” In 2021, she portrayed Katy in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,” which was released to critical acclaim and grossed over $430 million worldwide. Her performance in this film also earned her a Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress. Additionally, she voiced Sisu the dragon in Disney’s animated film “Raya and the Last Dragon,” which was released in March 2021. Awkwafina continued to expand her presence in television as a co-creator, writer, and executive producer of the Comedy Central series “Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens,” where she plays a fictionalized version of herself.
Notable Works and Milestones
Awkwafina’s signature works include “The Farewell,” “Crazy Rich Asians,” and “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.” She has received numerous accolades for her performances, including a Golden Globe Award and a Primetime Emmy Award for her work in the television movie “Quiz Lady.”
Awkwafina Award Nominations
Throughout her career, Awkwafina has received several nominations for her performances in film and television, reflecting her impact on the industry and her growing prominence as an actress.
Awkwafina Awards Won
Awkwafina has won multiple awards, including the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical for “The Farewell” and the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Television Movie for “Quiz Lady.”
Awkwafina Family
Awkwafina was raised by her father, Wally Lum, and her paternal grandparents after the passing of her mother. She has not publicly disclosed details about her family life beyond this.
Personal Life
Awkwafina has maintained a relatively private personal life, focusing on her career in entertainment. She has not publicly shared information about partners or children.
