News | Entertainment
11 Jan 2026 23:28
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Awkwafina has no plans to drop her stage name

    The 'Crazy Rich Asians' star - whose real name is Nora Lum - revealed her moniker was created as a child, and she feels immense pride when she sees the alias "on a chair back or on a call sheet"


    Asked if she could ditch Awkwafina for her own name, she told the New York Times: "I don't see it right now. That's not to say that it's not a possibility.

    "I created Awkwafina when I was a kid. What she represents to me is more than a persona -- in the very beginning, I did see her as the confident one, the side that comes out that gives Nora the panic attacks.

    "But as I've grown older I've come to really be grateful for that name and what I've seen it written on. To see her name on a chair back or on a call sheet, that means a lot to me. I don't think that I could shed her right now."

    The 31-year-old star is set to release her own sitcom 'Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens' on Netflix, and she opened up about her "memories" of growing up in the New York City borough.

    She added: "My memories of Queens are scattered. There's this family history that I kind of know only from stories, about when my dad was growing up in Whitestone and my great-grandpa owned a Chinese restaurant on Northern Boulevard.

    "My dad still lives in the same building I grew up in. My old neighbours find my dad and they're like, 'I can't believe she's that same little girl.'

    "He definitely hams it up with everyone. He's having a fun time with it."

    Meanwhile, the 'Farewell' actress previously admitted she sometimes calls herself Michelle Pfeiffer to confuse people in Starbucks when they're writing her name on a cup.

    She said: "When I was 15 or 16, I thought the name 'Awkwafina' was great, hilarious. I never thought anyone would ever call me that. Cut to now, where everyone calls me that. So that's good.

    "[In Starbucks] I like putting 'Michelle Pfeiffer'. All 'F's in the 'Pfeiffer,' throws them off a little bit."

    © 2026 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     11 Jan: Katie Leung found her Harry Potter fame "overwhelming" and "difficult"
     11 Jan: Julia Roberts is planning to reset her rider in 2026 after seeing George Clooney's new film Jay Kelly
     11 Jan: Donald Trump's wife "hates" his dancing
     11 Jan: Jesy Nelson doesn't think she will ever "accept" her twins' devastating health condition
     11 Jan: The Simpsons has retired a fan-favourite character
     11 Jan: Bonnie Blue is planning a "bonkers" £100,000 stunt to mark the first anniversary of her infamous world sex record
     11 Jan: Mia Goth used to steal all her clothes
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    New Zealand Giant Slalom skiing star Alice Robinson isn't switching focus despite surprise showings in a different discipline More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    If you think you're paying too much for a cup of coffee, there's good news and bad More...



     Today's News

    Christchurch:
    One person's in a serious condition and another's in a moderate condition in Christchurch Hospital after facing difficulties in the water near Herbeden Avenue this evening 21:57

    Entertainment:
    Katie Leung found her Harry Potter fame "overwhelming" and "difficult" 21:53

    Entertainment:
    Julia Roberts is planning to reset her rider in 2026 after seeing George Clooney's new film Jay Kelly 21:23

    Tennis:
    Elina Svitolina has lifted the ASB Classic trophy for the first time.. 21:17

    Entertainment:
    Donald Trump's wife "hates" his dancing 20:53

    Entertainment:
    Jesy Nelson doesn't think she will ever "accept" her twins' devastating health condition 20:23

    Entertainment:
    The Simpsons has retired a fan-favourite character 19:53

    Entertainment:
    Bonnie Blue is planning a "bonkers" £100,000 stunt to mark the first anniversary of her infamous world sex record 19:23

    Cricket:
    Black Caps captain Michael Bracewell is trying to not look too far ahead as his side ramps up their T20 Cricket World Cup prep 18:57

    Entertainment:
    Mia Goth used to steal all her clothes 18:53


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd