By Almire Biana Baldoza, AsAmNews Intern
Awkwafina led the 2024 San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade as the Grand Marshal in San Francisco.
The crowd warmly greeted her with loud cheers and applause.
All of her fans want to get close to her or near her to get a photo or a signature from her.
AsAmNews was able to get a one-on-one interview with her about her upcoming movie, Kung Fu Panda 4, and her experience being a Grand Marshal in the parade.
We asked her what if felt like being a part of Kung Fu Panda 4.
“I mean I was such a fan of Kung Fu Panda growing up. It was such an honor and very surreal to be asked to be a part of it. When you’re like acting alongside characters you’re a fan of, it’s really cool.”
In terms of celebrating the Lunar New Year, she shared “I ate a lot, went to see my grandma. I gave some money to my cousins and then I gave some lai see (lucky money in a red envelope) to my cousins. That was about it.”
In relation to that, we asked the significance that the film will be released in time for Lunar New Year.
“The new year signifies a new beginning; a new chapter and I also think it’s coming to yourself growing and this is what we should do every new year.”
We also asked her what is the cultural significance of her being the Grand Marshal of the parade.
“I think (you know) San Francisco is known for its rich history especially when it comes to Chinese Americans. In that way, it’s such an honor for me for me as someone born on the East Coast to come to a city where the Chinatown is- everything is pretty much celebrated. So I think for me, it’s a great honor that I’ll always come back.”
As being chosen as Grand Marshal for the parade, we asked what she felt like.
“I felt super excited. I was like really? Yeah, I don’t know what to expect but I hope that it’s fun. The energy is already great “
Lastly, we asked Awkwafina to give a message to the Asian American community coming from her or her character as Zhen in Kung Fu Panda 4.
“Just that you know, we’re all out here and I just hope that we all have a great new year and we all feel good.”
Kung Fu Panda 4 is set to be released on March 8 this year.
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