Awkwafina, born Nora Lum on June 2, 1988, is an American actress, rapper, comedian, writer, and producer. She first gained attention through her viral 2012 rap video “My Vag” and later became known for Ocean’s 8, Crazy Rich Asians, and The Farewell. Her performance as Billi in The Farewell earned her the 2020 Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. In 2026, her career continues across film, television, voice acting, and producing. The profile covers her age, height, family, education, career, income, estimated net worth, and recent activity.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Nora Lum |
| Professional name | Awkwafina |
| Born | June 2, 1988 |
| Age in 2026 | 38 |
| Birthplace | Stony Brook, New York, U.S. |
| Profession | Actress, rapper, comedian, writer, producer |
| Height | 5 ft 1 in (1.55 m) |
| Weight | Not reliably publicly verified |
| Education | University at Albany |
| Major award | Golden Globe for The Farewell |
IMDb lists her height as 5 feet 1 inch; a dependable public source for her weight is not established.
Early Life and Background
Awkwafina was born Nora Lum in New York State and grew up in Forest Hills, Queens. Her father, Wally Lum, is Chinese American, while her mother, Tia, immigrated from South Korea. Her mother died when Nora was four, after which she was raised by her father and paternal grandparents.
Education
Lum attended Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School in Manhattan, where she studied music and played trumpet. She later studied journalism at the University at Albany.
Career Journey / Rise to Fame
Awkwafina developed her public persona through comedy rap and YouTube. Her 2012 video “My Vag” became a viral breakthrough, followed by appearances on MTV’s Girl Code. She released Yellow Ranger in 2014 and In Fina We Trust in 2018.
Major Career Achievements
Her role in The Farewell marked a major dramatic step and earned her the 2020 Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. She later played Katy in Shang-Chi, voiced Sisu in Raya and the Last Dragon, and starred in Quiz Lady.
What Awkwafina Is Known For
Awkwafina is known for comedy, rap, her distinctive low voice, and film roles combining humor with character-driven storytelling. Her credits include Crazy Rich Asians, Ocean’s 8, Jumanji: The Next Level, The Farewell, Shang-Chi, The Little Mermaid, Kung Fu Panda 4, and The Bad Guys 2. She also co-created, wrote, produced, and starred in Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens.
How Much Awkwafina Earns
Awkwafina’s exact annual earnings are not publicly disclosed. Her income can vary by project and may include acting, voice work, writing, producing, television, and music. Reliable public sources do not provide enough information to establish a dependable yearly salary.
Sources of Income
Her professional activities include film and television acting, voice acting, music, writing, and producing. She has producer and executive-producer credits on projects including Quiz Lady and Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens. Apple TV also announced The Unlikely Cook with Awkwafina, an eight-episode series starring and executive produced by Lum.
Awkwafina Net Worth 2026
Awkwafina’s exact 2026 net worth is not publicly verified through financial records. Celebrity Net Worth currently estimates her net worth at $8 million, while noting that its figures are estimates rather than audited financial statements. Therefore, the $8 million figure should be treated as an external estimate, not a confirmed personal financial total.
Net Worth Breakdown
A verified percentage breakdown of her wealth is unavailable. Her long-running acting career, voice performances, television work, music, writing, and producing are relevant to her earning history.
Personal Life, Family & Relationships
Awkwafina generally keeps her relationships private. Public biographies identify her parents as Wally Lum and Tia Lum and note that she was raised partly by her paternal grandparents after her mother’s death. Reliable mainstream sources do not establish a current spouse or publicly confirmed marriage.
Physical Appearance
Awkwafina is publicly listed at 5 feet 1 inch, or approximately 1.55 meters. A verified current weight is not consistently available, so an unconfirmed number should not be presented as fact.
Social Media Presence
Her official website links to Instagram, X/Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
Lifestyle & Assets
Public reporting has documented Los Angeles-area real-estate purchases associated with Awkwafina.
Recent Updates in 2026
Awkwafina has projects associated with 2026, including Descendants: Wicked Wonderland, Wildwood, and The Man with the Bag. Her recent credits also include The Bad Guys 2, Black Mirror, Poker Face, and Marvel Zombies.
Interesting Facts
Awkwafina created her stage name as a teenager. She also hosted Saturday Night Live in 2018 and became a Golden Globe-winning actress after The Farewell.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Awkwafina’s real name?
Her real name is Nora Lum.
How old is Awkwafina in 2026?
She is 38 years old, having been born June 2, 1988.
How tall is Awkwafina?
IMDb lists her at 5 feet 1 inch, or 1.55 meters.
What is Awkwafina’s estimated net worth?
Celebrity Net Worth estimates $8 million, but this is not an audited financial figure.
What made Awkwafina famous?
Her 2012 viral rap video launched her public career, while Ocean’s 8 and Crazy Rich Asians expanded her mainstream film profile.
Did Awkwafina win a Golden Globe?
Yes. She won the 2020 Golden Globe for her performance in The Farewell.
Conclusion
Awkwafina’s career has grown from comedy rap and online videos into work spanning film, television, voice acting, writing, and producing. Born Nora Lum, she became widely known through projects such as Crazy Rich Asians and Ocean’s 8, then received major recognition for The Farewell. In 2026, she remains active across new entertainment projects.
Harvey Glen