By Louis Chan
AsAmNews National Correspondent
Awkwafina brought her own feel to Saturday Night Live this weekend.
Her opening monologue was rather brief, but she did go out of her way to pay tribute to Lucy Liu, the only other Asian American woman to ever host SNL.
The rapper turned actress called Lucy Liu her idol and said she waited outside 30 Rock in 2000 when Liu hosted the program.
As a child, she could not get into the show, but Awkwafina said it was important to her to be nearby.
Liu “totally changed what was possible for an Asian American woman,” said Awkwafina.
“I wasn’t able to make it in back then, but 18 years later, I’m hosting the show,” she said to applause.
“Standing here tonight is a dream I never thought would come true. So thank you, @LucyLiu, for opening the door.” — @awkwafina pic.twitter.com/wtwzNOfAwK
— Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) October 7, 2018
Earlier she mentioned she grew up in Queens.
“People assume my dad has an accent, and he does…He has an accent like Donald Trump.”
Later she participated in a rather funny dance off, making her moves to the tunes of theme songs from game shows.
That was followed by her role as a hairstylist for Cleopatra.
Awkwafina, whose real name is Nora Lum, is a rising star to watch.
2018 saw her featured in two high profile films- Crazy Rich Asians and Oceans 8.
Now she can add Saturday Night Live to her credits. As she said in her monologue,“I’m not a Crazy Rich Asian, I’m more like a Rebuilding My Credit Asian”
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