"It was almost a bittersweet joy for them seeing a movie like that and realizing how important representation is.”
Awkwafina has said people would come up to her crying after watching Crazy Rich Asians
Awkwafina, who was interviewed by Margaret Cho in the latest issue of Harpers Bazaar, discussed how Crazy Rich Asians made people cry.
In the interview, Awkwafina praised Cho who inspired her growing up.
“I thought that I had a good fan base, and then Crazy Rich Asians came out, and I was like, ‘Oh, okay!’” she said. “Growing up, I really had only you [Margaret Cho] to look up to. Your existence meant so much to me because it showed me what was possible.”
The 30-year-old actress went on to say how she was moved by people crying after watching the film.
“After Crazy Rich Asians, people would come up to me crying — it was almost a bittersweet joy for them seeing a movie like that and realizing how important representation is. Asian-American actors have told me that before Crazy Rich Asians they couldn’t get one audition. Now they’re getting tons. It helped open the door for movies like The Farewell.”
Elsewhere in the interview, Awkwafina discussed her latest film The Farewell, which has also brought a tear to viewers’ eyes.
Cho admitted herself that she “cried from beginning to end” when watching The Farewell.
“I’d never seen a film that so accurately reflects the Asian-American experience,” she added before asking Awkwafina, “was it emotional for you, especially since you’re so close to your grandma?”
“It was extremely emotional,” Awkwafina responded. At the start of filming, I was insecure about crying. But when I got into it and thought about what this girl was going through, it felt very real.”
In related news, The Farewell overtook Avengers: Endgame in its box office average.recently