Awkwafina of Crazy Rich Asians on her breakout year: ‘There was this idea that we were doing something big’

After scene-stealing parts in Ocean’s 8 and Crazy Rich Asians, comedian is in two more films premiering soon and a Comedy Central show based on her life

‘Growing up I was looking for that movie,’ says Asian-American 29-year-old about the worldwide hit adaptation of Kevin Kwan’s novel

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Awkwafina as Peik Lin in a scene from Crazy Rich Asians. She says her character needs a boyfriend and a home of her own in the sequel, in which she will also appear. Photo: Sanja Bucko/Warner Bros. Entertainment/AP

Published: 7:00pm, 17 Dec 2018Updated: 7:00pm, 17 Dec 2018

Awkwafina became a household name this summer, stealing scenes from the likes of Cate Blanchett and Sandra Bullock in the heist movie Ocean’s 8 and then as a stand-out in the cultural phenomenon that was Crazy Rich Asians.

But even considering her blockbuster summer, the 29-year-old New York native, born Nora Lum, whose dad wanted her to be an air traffic controller, still feels pretty normal.

“Maybe when I open my phone there’s a couple more followers and a couple hateful comments, but my regular life is still the same. I’m Target pants and things like that,” the comedian, rapper and now actress said. “I love Target pants.”

She never even really planned to go into acting, but a viral rap YouTube video caught the attention of Seth Rogen and Nick Stoller, who cast her in a small part in Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising (aka Bad Neighbours 2). Then she got an independent film, Dude, from Olivia Milch, who would go on to co-write Ocean’s 8, and the pieces started falling into place. Her latest honour is being named among the Breakthrough Entertainers of 2018 by Associated Press.

Awkwafina, named as one of eight Breakthrough Entertainers of the Year by Associated Press, says: ‘My regular life is still the same. I’m Target pants and things like that.’ Photo: Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP

“If this ended tomorrow, I wouldn’t be mad. I’m so grateful. And all of this I never expected,” she said. “I just go along with the ride.”