Net Worth Ranker
What Is Awkwafina’s Net Worth?
As of 2025, Awkwafina’s net worth is estimated to be $8 million. This valuation reflects her successful career spanning music, acting, and television. Her income sources include earnings from album sales, film roles, television appearances, and her own television show. A breakdown of specific income streams reveals the diversity contributing to her financial standing.
Early Life and Education of Nora Lum
Nora Lum, known professionally as Awkwafina, was born on June 2, 1988, in Long Island, New York. Her mother, Tia, a Korean-American painter, passed away when Awkwafina was four years old. Her father, Wally, is of Chinese descent. She was raised by her father and paternal grandparents in Forest Hills, Queens. Details regarding the exact address of her childhood home are not publicly available. During her teenage years, she attended Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School, where she studied jazz and classical music and played the trumpet. This artistic foundation laid the groundwork for her future creative endeavors.
Awkwafina pursued higher education, studying Mandarin at the Beijing Language and Culture University from 2006 to 2008. She furthered her academic pursuits at the University at Albany, State University of New York, graduating in 2011 with degrees in journalism and women’s studies. While specific details about her student loans or grants are not publicly accessible, her academic background provided a solid base for her multifaceted career.
Career Beginnings and Musical Pursuits
Before achieving fame, Awkwafina gained professional experience through internships at New York publications such as the Gotham Gazette and the Times Union. She also worked as a publicity assistant for Rodale Books. However, her passion for rap and music led her to create the viral YouTube song “My Vag” in 2012. The song’s success marked a turning point in her career, although it also led to her termination from Rodale Books. Following her departure from Rodale Books, Awkwafina worked at a vegan bodega, demonstrating her resilience and willingness to explore different opportunities.
In 2014, she released her debut hip hop album, “Yellow Ranger.” While exact sales figures for the album are not publicly available, it helped establish her presence in the music industry. That same year, she appeared in multiple episodes of MTV’s “Girl Code” and co-hosted the spin-off, “Girl Code Live.” These television appearances expanded her audience and contributed to her growing recognition. From 2015 to 2017, Awkwafina hosted the short-form talk show web series “Tawk,” further honing her hosting skills and solidifying her online presence.
Film Career Highlights
Awkwafina made her film debut in 2016 with a supporting role in “Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising.” Her early film roles helped build her acting portfolio and paved the way for more prominent roles. In 2018, she co-starred in “Ocean’s 8,” a heist comedy spinoff, and “Crazy Rich Asians,” a romantic dramedy where she played Goh Peik Lin. “Crazy Rich Asians” was a box office success, grossing over $238 million worldwide. Awkwafina’s role in the film significantly raised her profile and led to more significant opportunities. While her specific salary for “Crazy Rich Asians” has not been publicly disclosed, industry experts estimate that she earned a substantial amount, contributing to her growing net worth.
2019 was a pivotal year for Awkwafina, with appearances in five films, including “Paradise Hills” and “Jumanji: The Next Level.” However, her most critically acclaimed role that year was in “The Farewell,” where she starred as a Chinese-American woman visiting her ailing grandmother in China. Her performance earned her the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical. This prestigious award significantly boosted her career and increased her demand in the film industry. Exact figures for her salary for “The Farewell” have not been disclosed, but it is estimated to be a significant portion of her earnings for that year.
In subsequent years, Awkwafina continued to diversify her film roles, lending her voice to Sisu the dragon in Disney’s animated film “Raya and the Last Dragon.” She also appeared in Marvel’s “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,” where she played Katy Chen. The Marvel Cinematic Universe role added another layer to her career, exposing her to an even wider audience. She also starred in the science-fiction drama “Swan Song” and the animated comedy “The Bad Guys.” These diverse roles demonstrate her versatility and ability to take on different types of projects, contributing to her sustained success.
Television Career and “Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens”
Awkwafina’s television career began in 2017 with three episodes of the Hulu series “Future Man.” She later appeared in episodes of “Weird City,” “The Simpsons,” and “Tuca & Bertie,” and voiced skekLach the Collector in Netflix’s “The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance.” These roles expanded her presence in the television industry and set the stage for her own show.
In 2020, Awkwafina launched “Awkwafina is Nora from Queens” on Comedy Central, a show she co-created, writes, and executive produces. The show focuses on a twenty-something woman in Queens navigating the challenges of young adulthood. While specific viewership numbers and revenue generated by the show are not publicly available, the show’s success led to multiple seasons and contributed significantly to her income. As the star, writer, and executive producer, she likely earns a substantial portion of the show’s profits. Precise salary details for her roles in “Awkwafina is Nora from Queens” are not publicly disclosed.
Other Appearances and Endorsements
Beyond film and television, Awkwafina has been featured in various other projects, including a Gap ad campaign that highlighted artists who remix their creative cultures. The financial details of the Gap endorsement are not publicly known, but such campaigns contribute to her overall earnings. In 2015, she released a guidebook called “Awkwafina’s NYC,” providing insights into her favorite spots in New York City. This guidebook likely generated some revenue through sales, but the exact figures are not publicly available.
In 2019, she headlined EEEEEATSCON, the annual food festival of the restaurant recommendation service The Infatuation. While specific details of her compensation for headlining the event are not public, it is likely that she received a fee for her appearance, contributing to her annual income.
Real Estate Investments
Awkwafina has made significant investments in real estate. In November 2019, she purchased a townhouse in West Hollywood for $2.277 million. The specific address of this property is not publicly available. In April 2021, she acquired a home in the Bel Air neighborhood of Los Angeles for $3.5 million. These real estate holdings contribute to her overall net worth and provide a stable asset base. The property values of these homes can fluctuate based on market conditions, potentially affecting her net worth over time.
Further details about her mortgage terms, property taxes, or potential rental income from these properties are not publicly available. However, real estate investments are a common strategy for high-net-worth individuals to diversify their assets and build long-term wealth. These properties also serve as residences, providing her with homes in key locations for her career.
Net Worth Components and Income Streams
Awkwafina’s $8 million net worth is a result of diverse income streams, including acting salaries, music royalties, television show earnings, and real estate investments. Her acting roles in films like “Crazy Rich Asians,” “Ocean’s 8,” and “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” have provided substantial income. While specific salary figures for each role are not publicly available, industry analysts estimate that she earns between $500,000 to $1 million per film, depending on the size and scope of the project.
In addition to film salaries, Awkwafina earns income from her television show, “Awkwafina is Nora from Queens.” As the creator, writer, executive producer, and star of the show, she likely receives a significant portion of the show’s profits. The exact amount is not publicly disclosed, but it is a significant contributor to her annual income. Music royalties from her album “Yellow Ranger” and other musical projects also contribute to her income, although the exact amount is smaller compared to her acting and television earnings.
Real estate investments in West Hollywood and Bel Air also play a role in her overall net worth. The appreciation of these properties over time can increase her net worth, although real estate values are subject to market fluctuations. Other income streams, such as endorsements, public appearances, and book sales, further contribute to her financial standing, making her a multifaceted and financially successful entertainer. Specific details about her investment portfolio beyond real estate are not publicly accessible.
