Red-Hot and Multi-Talented Awkwafina Continues to Bust Barriers as AWKWAFINA IS NORA FROM QUEENS Debuts

By BILL HARRIS Special to The Lede PASADENA, Calif. – It was only 18 months ago – August 2018, to be specific – that a rising star named Awkwafina hosted the IHEARTRADIO MMVAs. With all the spectacular recent developments in her TV and movie career, does Awkwafina even recognize the rapper who was on the stage at Bell Media Studios in Toronto a year and a half ago? “Yeah, I’ll always recognize that person, because I think, you know, it (success) will only change you as much as you allow it to change you,” said Awkwafina at the Television Critics Association event last week. Her new comedy series, AWKWAFINA IS NORA FROM QUEENS, debuts Wednesday at 10:30 p.m. ET on Much. Awkwafina won a GOLDEN GLOBE® earlier this month for Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical, for her role in The Farewell, making her the first woman of Asian descent to win a GOLDEN GLOBE in any lead actress film category. Asked where she’s currently keeping the trophy, Awkwafina said, “I actually leave it out, and when people come over I’ll go and be like  …” At that point, Awkwafina swerved and pointed with both arms, like a car model, prompting laughter from reporters. In addition to being honoured at the GOLDEN GLOBES, the 31-year-old’s meteoric rise has been chronicled in countless publications, including Time Magazine, which placed her on its “Time 100 Next” list for 2019. “I’ve talked about how much I hate myself, all the time, so that always is there,” said Awkwafina, displaying her trademark self-deprecating style to illuminate how she is staying grounded. “But at the same time, you know, it has gone in this trajectory, and in many ways I feel like I’m along for the ride. The question is, where’s it going? And I don’t know. I think maybe that’s the exciting thing about this. Maybe you’re not supposed to know. But, you know, anxiety … a lot.” AWKWAFINA IS NORA FROM QUEENS sees Awkwafina, whose real name is Nora Lum, playing a fictionalized version of herself. While there are differences in the premise and the comic stylings, it’s probably a safe bet that fans of BROAD CITY – all five seasons of which are available for streaming on Crave – will probably find plenty to love about AWKWAFINA IS NORA FROM QUEENS. “I love that show, I love Abbi (Jacobson) and Ilana (Glazer),” Awkwafina said. “I think they’re very specific voices, you don’t have a lot of people like them. So I think (the comparison) is incredible.” billharristv@gmail.com @billharris_tv