Nora Lum is one of the biggest rising stars in Hollywood today. Her first taste of fame came in 2012 when her song “My Vag” became a hit on YouTube. The talented musician leveraged her YouTube success to pursue more mainstream projects. Once her album, Yellow Ranger, dropped in 2014, it was off to the races for Lum, who had officially taken on the artistic moniker Awkwafina.
Since 2014, Awkwafina has had quite a respectable career in film. She has played a significant role in several high-profile films and is set to appear in many more. In this article, we would like to look at Awkwafina’s most popular roles and her upcoming projects.
Awkwafina’s Biggest Hits
Apart from her hit rap song, “My Vag,” Awkwafina has appeared in the supporting role in various big-name, big-budget Hollywood hits. Many might remember her from Ocean’s 8, an all-female spin-off of the classic George Clooney film. She also had a huge role in Jumanji: the Next Level, a sequel/reboot of the Robin Williams classic.
However, her most iconic role was in 2018’s Crazy Rich Asians, a film adaptation of the best-selling novel. This satirical, romantic comedy explores classic romantic comedy tropes while simultaneously discussing contemporary Asian culture in the West. Awkwafina has also joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe, portraying Katy in the martial arts/comedy Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, which will have a sequel soon. With so many great films under her belt, many might wonder what her future holds.
The Baccarat Machine
In 2020, rumors of a film called “The Baccarat Machine” began circulating popular film journo sites and forums. Baccarat is one of the most popular casino games, not just in brick-and-mortar establishments but online as well. If you’ve paid attention to iGaming, you would know that live dealer baccarat casino websites are now a huge hit. However, we still don’t have many films dealing with the somewhat underrated card game.
Well, The Baccarat Machine was set to change that. The film was all set to star Awkwafina in the lead role and was going to focus on the life of Cheung Yin Sun (or Kelly Sun), one of the most prominent baccarat players in the world, who earned herself the moniker “Baccarat Queen.” However, since 2020, no information has come up about the film, leading many to believe it is stuck in development hell.
As of now, we still know very little. The film is in pre-production, with Andy Bellin set to direct, and Awkwafina still set to portray the main character. We hope to see more information emerge soon, as the film sounds like a good time.
Kung Fu Panda 4
Though Awkwafina has had some iconic live-action performances, a lot of people also know that she is a great voice actor; she has had incredible voice performances in a variety of animated films, including Raya and the Last Dragon, The Bad Guys, and most recently, the Little Mermaid remake. So, when she was announced to play a starring role in Kung Fu Panda 4, few were surprised, but many were excited.
Based on what we know, Awkwafina will be voicing Chen or Shen, a new character created for the upcoming film. According to the filmmakers, Shen is a young, plucky fox who uses their skill and cunning to become a master thief. However, Po, the Kung Fu Panda himself, sees something in Shen and trains them to be the next Dragon Warrior.
The Kung Fu Panda films are iconic in the world of animation. The fantastic choreography has made them a staple of martial arts movies, and due to them being animated, there is no risk of injury. We look forward to the sequel and seeing Awkwafina’s fantastic performance in the lead role.
IF
John Krasinski has come a long way since his role in The Office. He has made one of A Quiet Place's best and most beloved horror films and followed it up with an excellent sci-fi/action sequel with A Quiet Place II. He had a cameo role in Doctor Strange: A Multiverse of Madness, portraying the super-genius Reed Richards, a role fans have wanted to see him in for years.
In 2024, John Krasinski’s latest film will be hitting theaters. The movie, simply titled IF, seems to delve into magical realism. IF will follow a young girl who finds she can see imaginary friends. However, she doesn’t just see her own, but rather, everybody’s, especially those left behind. Awkwafina will voice one of the many imaginary friends, appearing alongside Emily Blunt, John Krasinski, and Ryan Reynolds.
FAQ
Who is Awkwafina?
Awkwafina is a musician and actor who has appeared in several popular films.
What song made Awkwafina famous?
Awkwafina became famous in 2014 when she released her hit song, “My Vag” on YouTube.
What is Awkwafina’s most high-profile movie?
Awkwafina’s most high-profile movie is probably Crazy Rich Asians.
What are some popular upcoming live-action movies with Awkwafina?
The two most people are excited about are IF, by John Krasinski, and the Baccarat Machine.
What is an animated movie with Awkwafina?
Awkwafina will provide her voice in the upcoming Kung Fu Panda 4, where she will be voicing Shen, a young Dragon Warrior-in-training.
