Crazy Rich Asians star Awkwafina has posted an emotional tweet urging fans to never give up on their dreams as she reflected on her difficult journey from a $9/an hour customer service job to starring in a Hollywood movie.
The 29-year-old whose real name is Nora Lum, said in 2012 she posted a video called My Vag on YouTube, knowing that it probably wouldn't do well and fearing it would make her a laughing stock at every job interview.
"I (also) wrote a song called NYC Bitches while making $9/hr at a vegan bodega. After it went on YouTube, a man came in and asked if I was Awkwafina - it made me so happy," she said.
Later she thought she had got her big break when a music executive at a major record label asked to meet her: "I listened to Dreams by Fleetwood Mac on the way to the meeting. He listened to two of my songs and never called me again."
Fast forward six years, Awkwafina is driving down Hollywood Boulevard for the premiere of Crazy Rich Asians.
"I asked the driver for the aux to play Dreams by Fleetwood Mac. I became teary, thinking about this moment, what it meant."
Awkwafina, who recently starred opposite Cate Blanchett and Sandra Bullock in Ocean's Eight said she remembered being broke and getting fired from jobs because of her internet persona. She was told: "Awkwafina is a joke", but continued to work towards her goals "by never giving up".
"We need take risks. We need to go broke. We need to prove them wrong, simply by not giving up," she said.
