What is Awkwafina's Net Worth?
Awkwafina, an American rapper, comedian, actress, and television personality, boasts a net worth of $8 million. She gained initial fame in 2012 with her viral YouTube song "My Vag." Since then, she's released a hip-hop album, starred in popular films like "Ocean's 8," "Crazy Rich Asians," and "The Farewell," and co-created and wrote the television series "Awkwafina is Nora from Queens."
Early Life and Education
Born Nora Lum on June 2, 1988, in Long Island, New York, Awkwafina was raised in the Queens borough's Forest Hills neighborhood. Her father, Wally, is of Chinese descent, and her mother, Tia, was a Korean-American painter who passed away when Awkwafina was just four years old. Awkwafina was then raised by her father and paternal grandparents. She attended Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School, receiving training in jazz and classical music, and played the trumpet. During this time, she adopted the moniker "Awkwafina." From 2006 to 2008, she studied Mandarin at the Beijing Language and Culture University, and later graduated from the University at Albany, State University of New York, in 2011 with degrees in journalism and women's studies.
(Photo by Theo Wargo/WireImage)
Career Beginnings
Before breaking into entertainment, Awkwafina interned at the Gotham Gazette and the Times Union, and worked as a publicity assistant for Rodale Books. Her breakthrough came in 2012 when her song "My Vag" went viral on YouTube. However, this led to her dismissal from Rodale Books. In 2014, she released her debut album "Yellow Ranger" and appeared in the MTV series "Girl Code" and its spin-off "Girl Code Live." From 2015 to 2017, she hosted the talk show web series "Tawk."
Film Career
Awkwafina made her film debut in 2016 with a role in "Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising" and voiced a character in the animated film "Storks." She gained larger roles in 2018 with "Dude," "Ocean's 8," and "Crazy Rich Asians," where she played Goh Peik Lin, a Singaporean friend of the main character.
2019 was a prolific year for Awkwafina, with roles in "Paradise Hills," "Jumanji: The Next Level," and the critically acclaimed "The Farewell," which earned her a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress. Her later films include "Breaking News in Yuba County," "Raya and the Last Dragon," "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings," "Swan Song," and "The Bad Guys."
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Television Career
Awkwafina's television career took off in 2017 with her role in Hulu's "Future Man." She also appeared in "Weird City," "The Simpsons," "Tuca & Bertie," and voiced a character in Netflix's "The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance." In 2020, she launched and starred in "Awkwafina is Nora from Queens" on Comedy Central, further showcasing her multifaceted talents.
Other Appearances
Awkwafina's diverse projects include a Gap ad campaign and a guidebook titled "Awkwafina's NYC" in 2015. She headlined EEEEEATSCON, a food festival by The Infatuation, in 2019.
Cultural Appropriation Controversy
Awkwafina has faced criticism for allegedly appropriating African-American vernacular and mannerisms. She addressed these concerns on Twitter, defending her immigrant identity and love for hip-hop, though some critics felt her response was insufficient.
Real Estate
In November 2019, Awkwafina purchased a townhouse in West Hollywood for $2.277 million. In April 2021, she acquired another home in Los Angeles' Bel Air neighborhood for $3.5 million.
