Awkwafina, whose real name is Nora Lum, is a professional actress, rapper, author, internet personality, and television host. She rose to fame in 2012 when her controversial rap song “My Vag” became popular on YouTube. Since then, she has made significant contributions to the entertainment industry, including co-starring in box-office hits like Crazy Rich Asians and Jumanji: The Next Level. In this article, we will delve deeper into Awkwafina’s net worth and her rise to success.

Early Life and Career

Born on June 2, 1988, in Stony Brook, New York, to a Korean-American mother and a Chinese-American father, Awkwafina grew up in Forest Hills, Queens, and attended the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School. During her childhood, she expressed her interest in both acting and singing and attended training schools in jazz and classical music. At 16, she adopted the stage name “Awkwafina” while starting to write her songs and raps.

As a writer, Lum worked for several years for New York publications such as Gotham Gazette, the newspaper Times Union, and the publishing house Royale Books. However, her big break came in 2012, when she released her viral rap song “My Vag” on YouTube.

Rise to Fame in the Entertainment Industry

In 2014, Awkwafina self-released her debut studio album Yellow Ranger, followed by her second album In Fina We Trust in 2018. Although both albums failed to find commercial or critical success, they helped her earn her own fan base and work full time on her music and comedy.

In addition to her music, Awkwafina began to make strides in the acting industry. In 2016, she starred in her own documentary named Bad Rap. Starting in the same year, she became a full-time actress, starring in multiple films such as Neighbours 2, Ocean’s 8, and Storks. However, her break came in the 2019 comedy-drama The Farewell, for which she earned a Golden Globe Award and became the first Asian female actress with a leading role to achieve this. Since then, Awkwafina has continued to take over the world with her acting, starring in box-office hits such as Jumanji: The Next Level and The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run.

Awkwafina’s Total Net Worth

As of 2023, Awkwafina’s estimated net worth is $4 million dollars. Her biggest movies that she has appeared in are Shang-Chi, Crazy Rich Asians, Ocean’s Eight, and The Farewell, among others.

On average, she has earned $900,000 per year over her 10-year career (2012-2022). Her effective tax rate is about 32% for federal income tax and about 13% for her California state tax, with an overall effective tax rate of approximately 45.5%. Of her $9 million career earnings, $1 million went to business-related costs, and the remainder, $8 million, was taxed at 48% since Awkwafina has been residing in the state of California. After tax, her career earnings are estimated to be around $4.16 million.

In terms of her personal life, Awkwafina has never been married, nor has she been in any legal trouble. She has shown steady worth ethic, which suggests that she manages her finances well. She has also invested into real estate, purchasing a townhouse in West Hollywood in 2019 for $2.28 million and a home in the Bel Air neighborhood of Los Angeles in 2021 for $3.5 million. It is estimated that she has spent about $1 million of her career earnings in her personal life, not including her investment assets, which are valued at around $450,000. She may have also earned investment returns of $700,000, bringing her net worth to approximately $4 million dollars.

Conclusion

Awkwafina is a world-renowned entertainer who has made millions with her many talents. Her Golden Globe Award-winning performance in The Farewell and subsequent performances in numerous box-office hits have solidified her place in Hollywood. As an accomplished actress, rapper, author, internet personality, and television host, Awkwafina continues to inspire many individuals who aspire to make their mark in the entertainment industry.