Awkwafina: 18 facts about the Shang-Chi actress you need to know

1. Who is Awkwafina?

Awkwafina may be gaining a whole new legion of fans thanks to her role in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings but she's been acting for years. The star first rose to fame as a viral internet rapper but has since appeared in everything from Crazy Rich Asians to Ocean's 8. Get to know her here. [@awkwafina via Instagram]

2. How old is Awkwafina?

Awkwafina is a 33 year old actress born June 2, 1989. Awkwafina is a Gemini. [Photo via Getty/Jared Siskin]

3. How tall is Awkwafina?

According to multiple online sources, Awkwafina is 5 foot 1. [Photo Albert L. Ortega/Getty]

4. Where is Awkwafina from?

Awkwafina is American. She was born in Stony Brook, New York on Long Island and grew up in Forest Hill, Queens. [@awkwafina via Instagram]

5. What is Awkwafina's ethnicity?

Awkwafina is Asian American. Her father is Chinese American and her mother, who died when Awkwafina was 4, was from South Korea.

6. What is Awkwafina's real name?

Awkwafina was born Nora Lum. Awkwafina is a stage name that she uses in both her acting and rap career. In an interview with The Ringer, Awkwafina revealed that she chose the name for herself when she was 15. [Photo Alberto E. Tamargo/Getty]

7. How did Awkwafina choose her stage name?

"I was looking for a pretty stupid name," she explained in an interview with Jimmy Kimmel. In another interview with The Guardian, Awkwafina said of her name, "I just thought it was a funny name. And it was fitting that it had 'awkward' in it, because I am awkward." [via NBC/Getty]

8. Awkwafina is a rapper as well as an actress

Awkwafina has been rapping since she was a teenager, though her big break came in 2012 when she released 'My Vag'. Awkwafina revealed in multiple interviews, including one with Seth Meyers, that she was fired from her corporate job just after she posted the song online. 'My Vag' now has 3+ million views on YouTube. In 2014, Awkwafina released an album called 'Yellow Ranger'. In 2018, she put out an EP, 'In Fina We Trust'. [via YouTube/Awkwafina]

9. Awkwafina collaborated with Margaret Cho in 2016

In 2016, Awkwafina released 'Green Tea', a collaboration with Margaret Cho. The pair comedically take on Asian stereotypes in the song written and performed by the both of them. [via Awkwafina/YouTube]

10. Who plays Katy in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings?

Awkwafina stars as Katy in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Katy is a hotel valet and Shang-Chi's close friend who is unaware of his past. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is the 25th MCU movie and Awkwafina stars opposite Simu Liu in the film.

11. Awkwafina plays Goh Peik Lin in 2018's Crazy Rich Asians

Awkwafina appeared in the summer 2018 hit film Crazy Rich Asians as Goh Peik Lin. In an interview with Elle, Awkwafina said of her character, "she's bawdy, brash, she's constantly screaming, she's freaking out." [Photo via SIPA/USA]

12. Awkwafina played Constance in 2018's Ocean's 8

Ocean's 8, a 2018 film about an all woman team of criminals who plan to pull of a Met Gala heist, featured Awkwafina in the role of Constance. Constance is a street hustler and pick pocket who joins the team for a massive payday. [via Warner Brothers/Screenshot]

13. Awkwafina also appeared in the Netflix stoner comedy Dude"

Awkwafina played Rebecca in Netflix's Dude, a stoner comedy which also starred Lucy Hale. Dude is about a group of high school students in their last 2 weeks as seniors who try to handle big life changes and smoke a lot of weed as well. [Photo via Netflix]

Raya and the Last Dragon Sisu actress Awkwafina

14. Who voices Sisu in Raya and the Last Dragon?

Awkwafina is the actress behind Sisu in Raya and the Last Dragon. Sisu is the last dragon who Raya finds and then works to save the world with. Kelly Marie Tran voices the role of Raya. [Disney]

15. What movies and TV shows has Awkwafina been in?

Before Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Awkwafina was best known for her roles in Crazy Rich Asians, Oceans 8 and Raya and the Last Dragon. She's also starred in Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising, The Farewell and Jumanji 2: The Next Level. In 2022, Awkwafina will appear in The Little Mermaid as Scuttle. [A24]

16. Awkwafina is the second Asian American woman to host SNL in its 44 seasons

On September 27, it was announced that Awkwafina would host SNL, making her only the second Asian American woman (Lucy Liu was the first) to host the show, which has run for 44 season. On Instagram, Awkwafina wrote that she was "supremely stoked" for her appearance. [Photo via Getty/Noam Galai]