Awkwafina doesn't like to "face the heavy stuff"

She said: "I learned [making] 'The Farewell' that it's an instinct for me not only in my performances, but in my real life. Because I don't want to face the heavy stuff. I want to keep it light."

And Awkwafina invented her persona as a teenager to overcome stage fright because she felt it was a "mask" that gave her confidence.

She told Entertainment Weekly magazine: "I almost [equated] Awkwafina to this mask I would put on that just imbued confidence."

The 'Ocean's 8' star admitted the two sides to her have gradually merged over the years.

She said: "People can say that Nora's the serious one and Awkwafina's this crazy comedy one, but for me, the older I get and the more I [do], they become one.

"I can't leave Awkwafina. Awkwafina is a part of me. I didn't create Nora; I created Awkwafina. So it makes it powerful when I see her name somewhere."

And Awkwafina is amazed by how much her career has progressed in recent years, including the awards buzz surrounding 'The Farewell'.

She reflected: "When these things happen, you wonder what got you here. I think that for every project, I do feel a little bit of that still, that kind of 'I'm a nobody, who am I?' "

But the star is more secure in herself now.

She said: "It's still a ride, but I feel like I have a better sense of self. I have a better idea of where this all may be going."