Awkwafina Wants To (Safely) Share A Beer With You Over The Holidays

Awkwafina is on a roll. The Farewall star kicked off the year by nabbing a Golden Globe for her dynamic performance in the Lulu Wang comedy-drama. Although it was the 77th iteration of the annual awards ceremony, she became the very first performer of Asian descent to take home a trophy for lead actress in a film category.

The honor came on the heels of her breakout comedic turn in the smash hit Crazy Rich Asians. And in the months ahead she’s poised to become one of the biggest names in Hollywood, with roles lined up in the MCU’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings as well as two Disney films—including the live-action remake of The Little Mermaid.

But in the meantime, just like the rest of us, she’s been trying to safely steer her way through the COVID-19 pandemic. Most recently that involved a partnership with Heineken. Along with the Dutch beer producer she launched a campaign called Bestie Gift Ever. It offers friends a chance to surprise their ‘besties’ by sending them a cardboard cutout of themselves—along with a six-pack, of course. The theme promotes seasonal cheer while respecting social distancing guidelines that will regrettably keep most of us separated throughout the holidays.

I recently sat down with the award-winning actress (over Zoom, of course) to discuss her recent successes as well as her future plans once COVID is finally in the rear view. The exclusive interview has been edited for length and clarity.

You were just in Sydney, Australia filming Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. What’s it like to be on a foreign set in 2020?

When you get off the plane they bring you to a place that you’re not really sure where you’re going. And it’s a guarded quarantine. I’m on my second one now in [Vancouver] Canada. You kind of get used to it. It’s really not bad—I mean, I got dressed today, so that’s nice.

What does your quarantine regimen entail?

Well, you’d like to think you’re going to write the next great novel during that two week period—it never happens. I think the first couple of days you go through an existential, ‘oh my God, what I am doing’. And as that dissipates it becomes this job of ‘let me fill in the hours’. Lots of video games, lots of catching up on movies and TV shows. Just stupid things—like cleaning up your general area.

Did you enjoy any special drinking experiences this year, despite all the setbacks?

Well, I was able to send my best friend a pretty ridiculous gift where we shared a beer [by way of a mini-Heineken bar that was dropped off on her lawn]. But I think the act of just doing something simple like [sharing a beer], you realize how special it is now.

And before the pandemic, how and what do you usually like to drink?

When I first started drinking at a legal age, I remember being like— ‘whoa, is there really a transformation that occurs? Do I leave my body? What happens?’

I remember my dad had some kind of apricot schnapps and it was horrible. I downed it. I didn’t leave my body—I just turned red.

The funny thing about Heineken is that was my dad’s favorite beer. And that was probably the first beer I ever had a sip of. I like beer, but I’m not a big wine fan—My skin gets really hot.

Have you gotten into cocktail culture at all as it’s been booming over the past few years?

Here and there. Some things like when adding a pinch of an ingredient that you’ve never used for anything else—I don’t really understand that. With Asian people, and I don’t know if this is scientific, but for me, my Asian flush is aggravated when I have a lot of sugary drinks. So what usually helps for me when it comes to alcohol is having something that’s not cray-cray. Just something basic like [vodka and soda].

You spent a lot of time in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur when filming Crazy Rich Asians and the cocktail scene in that part of the world is truly exceptional, did you get to experience that at all?

KL had this really cool speakeasy — I’d never been to that part of Asia so I was [really impressed] by the cocktail culture there. I loved spending time in both cities—Singapore definitely has that vibe that it’s like ‘crazy rich Asians’, but I loved both cities, that was a very special time.

Where are you most excited to go to when travel becomes safe again?

Honestly, back to New York. I really want to go back [home], I miss it a lot. I haven’t been back [this year]. And to get a Knicks foam finger.

Your family used to own a Cantonese restaurant. Did you grow up cooking for yourself a lot? And if so, did that background come in handy during lockdown?

I hardboiled an egg or two. No, I haven’t really cooked. I’ve made reservations, as they say, except not—because we live in a pandemic.

What restaurant are you most looking forward to visiting when you finally make it back home?

I’m excited to hit up Taiwanese Gourmet—it’s my favorite Chinese restaurant in New York. It’s in Elmhurst, it’s a Taiwanese diner, it’s really good.

2021 is going to be a huge year for you with Disney and entering the Marvel Cinematic Universe. I don’t wanna say that’s going to be stressful, but…

No, there’s that. Thank you for instilling that fear in me. I wasn’t scared, but now I am [laughs]. I’m looking forward to it all.