Awkwafina, who is actually Nora Lum by birth, was brought up surrounded by more traditional musical influences. As a first-generation Chinese-American, she delved into classical and jazz music during her teenage years. However, it was around this time that she also started exploring her passion for rap under the name Awkwafina. Despite this early interest, her musical pursuits took a back seat as she spent two years studying Mandarin in China, later completing her college education at SUNY Albany, where she majored in journalism. Even after graduating in 2011, her rap career remained on the sidelines while she pursued various roles in editorial and public relations.
Things started to change in 2013 when Awkwafina began gaining traction on YouTube, slowly building a name for herself. In early 2014, she dropped her debut album, Yellow Ranger, which marked a significant step in her music journey. That same year, she made her move into acting, joining the cast of MTV’s comedy series Girl Code for its third season. This opportunity opened new doors, leading to appearances in high-profile projects like the Seth Rogen-led comedy Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising (2016) and the independent film Dude (2016).
In 2016, Awkwafina also lent her voice to popular animated projects, including Storks and Regular Show on Cartoon Network. Her growing presence in the entertainment industry eventually landed her a role in the star-studded Ocean’s Eight (2018), where she shared the screen with big names like Sandra Bullock, Rihanna, and Anne Hathaway.
Awkwafina’s most acclaimed movie to date is The Farewell (2019), which received widespread praise and recognition. On the other hand, one of her least rated films is Breaking News in Yuba County (2021), which didn’t quite resonate as strongly with audiences or critics. While she’s known for a variety of roles in both film and music, these two projects stand out as clear examples of the highs and lows in her career. Awkwafina has continued to take on diverse roles, but The Farewell remains a fan favorite and a critical success. Meanwhile, Breaking News in Yuba County is often seen as a more forgettable entry in her filmography.