Awkwafina is the First Asian American to Win a Golden Globe for Lead Actress in a Comedy

The 31-year-old actress, whose real name is Nora Lum, received the award on Sunday night at the 77th Golden Globes, according to Los Angeles Times.

“I’d like to dedicate this to my dad, Wally. I told you I’d get a job, Dad,” Awkwafina said in her acceptance speech. “To my grandma, my best friend, the woman who raised me. And to my mother, Tia, who I always hope is watching from somewhere above, and I hope that she’s watching now.”

“The Farewell,” written and directed by Lulu Wang, follows the story of Billi, played by Awkwafina, whose grandmother is unaware that she is dying of cancer.

In her backstage press speech, Awkwafina described the moment as “mind-blowing.”

“I actually just heard that fact, and it was pretty mind-blowing,” she said. “It feels incredible, but I think there’s also this other feeling that you want there to be more. I hope this is just the beginning.”

 

Many people congratulated the actress’ historic win, including “Crazy Rich Asians” director Jon M. Chu, whom Awkwafina has previously worked with.

“Just saying it out loud all night tonight,” the 40-year-old director said in an Instagram post. “A memory I will never forget tonight is my daughter and I jumping up and down screaming for Awkwafina’s win and seeing the look in my daughter’s eyes of pure admiration for the woman on the screen that looks like her.”

Here’s what other people are saying online:

While Awkwafina is the first Asian woman to win in the category, she is the second Asian American actress to be nominated for lead actress in a movie comedy or musical, with Constance Wu being the first last year for her role in “Crazy Rich Asians.”

Feature Image via Getty