Awkwafina, born Nora Lum, is a multi-talented American rapper, actress, and comedian who rose to fame with her viral 2012 track “My Vag”.
Since then, she has become one of the most recognizable Asian-American talents in Hollywood, making waves in music, television, and film. She dropped her solo album “Yellow Ranger” in 2014 spawned hit tracks “Yellow Ranger”, “Queef”, and “NYC Bitche$”. From starring in box office hits like Crazy Rich Asians and Ocean’s 8 to becoming a Golden Globe-winning actress, Awkwafina has carved out a powerful space for herself in the entertainment industry. So, who is Awkwafina? Here’s everything we know about the actress.
Contents
Awkwafina Biography
Awkwafina was born on the 2nd of June 1988, in New York City, New York, United States of America. She is currently 37 years old.
| Birth Name | Nora Lum |
| Nickname | Awkwafina |
| Date of Birth | June 2, 1988 |
| Place of Birth | New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Age | 37 years old |
| Sun Sign | Gemini |
| Profession | Rapper, Actress |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | South Korean, Chinese |
Family Background
Unfortunately, we do not have enough information about her family. Lum was born to an ethnic Chinese American father, Wally, and a South Korean immigrant mother, a painter. She was raised in Forest Hills, Queens by her grandmother as her mother died when she was four years old. Her grandmother had a major influence on her in terms of knowledge and values.
Education
Awkwafina showed a passion for music early on. She attended LaGuardia High School, where she studied classical and jazz music and learned to play the trumpet. She later pursued Journalism and Women’s Studies at SUNY Albany and also studied Mandarin at Beijing Language and Culture University from 2006 to 2008.
Awkwafina Boyfriend
Awkwafina prefers not to disclose anything related to her personal life to the media, so we are uncertain about her past and present relationship status.
Physical Statistics
| Height | Feet – 5 feet 1 inch Centimeters – 155 cm Meters – 1.55 m |
| Weight | Kilograms – 52 kg Pounds – 114 lbs |
| Body Build | Slim |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Hair Color | Dark Brown |
| Sexuality | Straight |
| Shoe Size | 7 (US) |
| Dress Size | Unknown |
| Distinctive Features | Petite Boy Frame Typical Asian Look |
Professional Statistics
Album Debut
Awkwafina dropped her non-album single “My Vag” in 2012 followed by a music video of the song in October of that year. Both the track and music video received overwhelming response from the audience turning out to be a massive hit. The video has recorded more than three million views on YouTube.
She released her debut studio album, “Yellow Ranger’ on February 11, 2014. The album included 11 tracks including hit tracks “Marijuana”, “Yellow Ranger”, “Queef” and “NYC Bitche$”.
Genre
Alternative Hip Hop, Comedy Hip Hop, East Coast Hip Hop
Instruments
Vocals, Trumpet
Labels
Independent
Film Debut
She had her first onscreen appearance in the comedy movie, Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising as Christine in 2016.
She also has lent her voice to film characters. Her first voice role came in 2016 with the comedy adventure movie, Storks, in which she provided voice to the character of Quail.
Television Debut
Awkwafina made her TV debut with MTV’s series, Girl Code, in 2014.
Famous For
Awkwafina is well-known for her tracks My Vag (2012), NYC Bitche$ (2013), and Pockiez (2018). She met with critical praise for her appearance in the movies Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising (2014), Dude (2018), Ocean’s Eight (2018), and Crazy Rich Asians (2018).
Favorite Things
- Movies – A League of Their Own (1992), My Cousin Vinny (1992), Blue Streak (1999), Best in Show (2000), Saving Face (2005)
Awkwafina Net Worth
As of 2025, Awkwafina has a net worth of $8 million. She lives in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, a borough of New York City.
Facts
She was raised by her parental grandmother after her mother died when she was four years old.
Her paternal great-grandfathers moved to the United States from China in the 1940s and opened a Chinese restaurant Lum’s in Flushing, Queens, and eventually settled there.
She adopted the stage name Awkwafina at the age of 16 years old. It means “definitely a person I repressed” and an alter ego to her “quiet and more passive” personality during her college years.
She worked as an intern for Gotham Gazette and Times Union and later as a publicity assistant for Rodale Books before achieving fame and popularity.
Awkwafina began rapping at the age of 13.
Lum cites Charles Bukowski, Anaïs Nin, Joan Didion, Tom Waits, and Chet Baker as early influences
In 2015, Nora Lum was featured in the documentary “Bad Rap,” which also profiled some of her fellow Asian-American rappers like Lyricks, Rekstizzy, and Dumbfoundead. It was selected for an official selection at the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival.
Awkwafina released a book titled ‘Awkwafina’s NYC,’ which is basically a travel guide to New York City in 2015.
In 2017 she was honored as Kore Asian Media’s Female Breakout of the Year.
In 2018, she hosted Saturday Night Live alongside musician Travis Scott.
She recently voiced in Kung Fu Panda 4, IF, The Bad Guys 2, and Wildwood.
FAQs
Who is Awkwafina in real life?
Awkwafina is the stage name of Nora Lum, a rapper and actress known for her bold music and comedic film roles.
What is Awkwafina famous for?
She is best known for her viral rap song “My Vag,” her Golden Globe-winning role in The Farewell, and roles in Crazy Rich Asians, Shang-Chi, and Raya and the Last Dragon.
Where is Awkwafina from?
She is from Forest Hills, Queens, New York.
Is Awkwafina dating anyone?
Awkwafina keeps her personal life out of the spotlight and has not confirmed any relationships publicly.
What is Awkwafina’s net worth?
Her net worth is estimated to be around $8 million as of 2024.