Nora Lum, known as Awkwafina, is an American actress, comedian, and rapper. She initially gained fame through her rap song "My Vag" on YouTube in 2012, followed by her debut album, Yellow Ranger, in 2014. She appeared in the MTV series Girl Code and transitioned to film with supporting roles in comedies like Neighbors 2, Ocean's 8, Crazy Rich Asians, and Jumanji: The Next Level. Her leading role in The Farewell (2019) earned her a Golden Globe Award.
1972: Mother's emigration
Awkwafina's mother emigrated from South Korea to the US in 1972
June 2, 1988: Birth of Nora Lum (Awkwafina)
Nora Lum, known professionally as Awkwafina, was born on June 2, 1988.
1992: Mother's Death
Awkwafina's mother died from pulmonary hypertension in 1992.
2006: Begins learning Mandarin
Awkwafina started learning Mandarin at Beijing Language and Culture University in 2006.
2008: Completes Mandarin studies
Awkwafina finished her Mandarin studies at Beijing Language and Culture University in 2008.
2011: College graduation
Awkwafina graduated from the University at Albany, SUNY, in 2011.
2012: "My Vag" Release and Job Loss
Awkwafina released "My Vag" in 2012 and was fired from her publishing job after being recognized in the video.
2012: "My Vag" goes viral
In 2012, Awkwafina's rap song "My Vag" gained popularity on YouTube.
February 11, 2014: Release of Yellow Ranger
Awkwafina's solo hip-hop album, Yellow Ranger, was released on February 11, 2014.
October 25, 2014: Performance at Festival Supreme
Awkwafina performed at Tenacious D's Festival Supreme on October 25, 2014.
2014: Debut Album and Girl Code
Awkwafina released her debut album, Yellow Ranger, and appeared on the MTV comedy series Girl Code in 2014.
2015: Awkwafina's NYC Guidebook Release
In 2015, Awkwafina released a guidebook titled "Awkwafina's NYC."
2015: Tawk Begins
Awkwafina began hosting the web series Tawk in 2015.
2015: Girl Code Live Co-host
Awkwafina co-hosted MTV's Girl Code Live in 2015.
2015: Girl Code Live
Awkwafina co-hosted Girl Code Live on MTV in 2015.
2016: Neighbors 2 and Storks
Awkwafina appeared in Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising and voiced Quail in Storks in 2016.
2016: Neighbors 2
Awkwafina had a supporting role in the comedy film Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising in 2016.
2016: Featured in Bad Rap Documentary
Awkwafina was profiled in the 2016 documentary Bad Rap.
2017: Tawk Ends and Future Man Role
Awkwafina finished hosting Tawk and had a recurring role in Future Man in 2017.
2017: Kore Asian Media's Female Breakout of the Year
Awkwafina was recognized as Kore Asian Media's Female Breakout of the Year in 2017.
2017: Kore Asian Media's Female Breakout of the Year
In 2017, Awkwafina was honored as Kore Asian Media's Female Breakout of the Year.
June 8, 2018: Release of In Fina We Trust
Awkwafina released her EP, In Fina We Trust, on June 8, 2018.
October 6, 2018: Hosts Saturday Night Live
Awkwafina hosted Saturday Night Live on October 6, 2018.
2018: Ocean's 8 and Crazy Rich Asians
In 2018, Awkwafina appeared in the films Ocean's 8 and Crazy Rich Asians.
2018: Gap's "Logo Remix" Campaign
In 2018, Awkwafina was featured in Gap's "Logo Remix" campaign, alongside artists like SZA, Sabrina Claudio, and Naomi Watanabe, highlighting up-and-coming artists reshaping creative culture.
2018: Dude, Ocean's 8, Crazy Rich Asians, and iHeartRadio MMVAs
In 2018, Awkwafina starred in Dude, appeared in Ocean's 8 and Crazy Rich Asians, and hosted the iHeartRadio MMVAs.
2018: Cultural Appropriation Controversy
In 2018, Awkwafina faced criticism for cultural appropriation, stating she welcomed the conversation as Asian-American identity was still being defined.
May 16, 2019: Headliner at EEEEEATSCON
On May 16, 2019, Awkwafina headlined The Infatuation's annual food festival, EEEEEATSCON, where she discussed her upbringing and family's restaurant.
July 2019: Cast as Katy
Awkwafina was cast as Katy in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings in July 2019.
August 2019: Cast as Sisu
Disney announced Awkwafina as the voice of Sisu in Raya and the Last Dragon in August 2019.
2019: The Farewell and Jumanji
Awkwafina starred in The Farewell, winning a Golden Globe, and appeared in Jumanji: The Next Level in 2019.
2019: A2IM Libera Award
Awkwafina's EP, In Fina We Trust, won the 2019 A2IM Libera Award for Best Hip-Hop/Rap Album.
2020: Stars in and produces Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens
Starting in 2020, Awkwafina starred in, wrote for, and executive produced the comedy series Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens.
2020: Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens
In 2020, Awkwafina co-created, wrote, and starred in the Comedy Central series Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens.
March 5, 2021: Raya Release
Raya and the Last Dragon, featuring Awkwafina as Sisu, was released on March 5, 2021.
September 3, 2021: Shang-Chi Release
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, starring Awkwafina, was released on September 3, 2021.
2021: Shang-Chi and Raya
Awkwafina portrayed Katy in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and voiced Sisu in Raya and the Last Dragon in 2021.
February 5, 2022: Response to Cultural Appropriation Criticism
On February 5, 2022, Awkwafina addressed criticism regarding cultural appropriation of AAVE, explaining her immigrant background and commitment to understanding AAVE's history and context.
2022: The Bad Guys
Awkwafina voiced a character in the animated film The Bad Guys in 2022.
October 2023: Narrates A Real Bug's Life
Awkwafina narrated the National Geographic documentary series A Real Bug's Life, announced in October 2023.
2023: The Little Mermaid and Migration
Awkwafina lent her voice to the animated films The Little Mermaid and Migration in 2023.
2024: Kung Fu Panda 4 and IF
Awkwafina is set to voice characters in Kung Fu Panda 4 and IF in 2024.