Awkwafina

     American rapper and actress Awkwafina is an inspiration for Asian women in entertainment.

     Born Nora Lum to a Chinese-American father and a Korean mother, she grew up in Forest Hills, Queens, NY.  While in High School she played the trumpet and was trained in classical and jazz music. Eventually creating the name Awkwafina at the age of 16 to serve as an alter-ego to her "quiet or more passive" nature. Awkwafina majored in journalism and women's studies at the State University of New York at Albany. From 2006 to 2008, Lum attended Beijing Language and Culture University in China, where she studied Mandarin.

     Awkwafina gained popularity through her song "My Vag," a response to the song "My Dick." The music video recieved over 3 million views on YouTube, igniting her career.

     In 2018, Awkwafina appeared in the films "Ocean's 8" and "Crazy Rich Asians" launching her to new heights of fame. This would later translate to hosting "Saturday Night Live," a show with little Asian representation. At the age of 30, Awkwafina leads the way for Asian-Americans in Hollywood.