This weekend American actor, TV star, and rapper Awkwafina became the fifth Asian-American and second Asian woman to host ‘Saturday Night Live’.
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The artist, who most recently made us laugh a bunch in Crazy Rich Asians, delivered a heartfelt monologue dedicated to her idol Lucy Liu.
Awkwafina threw it back to a time in 2000 when Liu hosted SNL. Even though she didn’t have a ticket, the now 29-year-old waited outside the building – to just be near it – while Liu became the first-ever Asian-American woman to take to the iconic stage.
18 goddamn years later and it was Awkwafina’s turn.
Watch her opening monologue below.
“Standing here tonight is a dream I never thought would come true. So thank you, @LucyLiu, for opening the door.” — @awkwafina pic.twitter.com/wtwzNOfAwK
— Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) October 7, 2018
“Before we start I just want to say – and this is a true story – back in 2000 I came here to 30 Rock and waited outside when my idol Lucy Liu hosted ‘SNL’. I was a kid and I didn’t have a ticket so I knew I wasn’t getting in but I just wanted to be near the building. And I remember how important that episode was for me and how it totally changed how I thought was possible for an Asian-American woman.
“Standing here tonight is a dream I never thought would come true. So thank you, Lucy for opening the door. I wasn’t able to make it into the building back then but 18 years later I am hosting the show.
“I love you Lucy Liu, be my friend!”
The actor also gave a shout out to her grandma and dad.
Emotions, lots of emotions.
Awkwafina was joined by musical guest Travis Scott and SNL cast member Cecily Strong.
Just the other day, Crazy Rich Asians director Jon M. Chu posted a sweet Instagram dedicated to the star captioned:
“This was taken on the first day of shooting @awkwafina in #CrazyRichAsians . I remember seeing you step out of the make up room in that wig… and that outfit… no longer Nora but transformed into a character that would eventually win the hearts and minds of the world audience. I was scared, to be honest, not knowing how it would translate onto the big screen… but you always knew. And NEVER wavered. Now you are hours away from hosting @nbcsnl.
“Proud is not even the right word. Awe might be the right one. I’m in awe of your brain, work ethic, heart and vision for not only yourself but for us all. Thank you for showing me we can take risks and be unafraid of the unknown because that’s how we make art that shatters the mould and sets a new course for the future. See you soon, along with the rest of the world, LIVE from New York on Saturday Night!!!!”
