When Awkwafina started training for Paul Feig’s action-comedy “Jackpot!” — about the winner of a dystopian California lottery — her co-star, the professional wrestler John Cena, had some advice.
“It’s kind of obvious science, but your brain is a muscle, so you have to work it out every day,” she said, explaining his theory in a video call from Los Angeles. “He was learning jazz piano in his trailer.”
Now Awkwafina, a scene-stealer in “Ocean’s 8” and “Crazy Rich Asians” and a Golden Globe winner for “The Farewell,” has established a routine incorporating physical and mental exercise. And, she added, a new relationship that doesn’t exist for her in any other capacity.
“I’ve definitely begun my fitness journey because of this movie,” she said, ticking off squats, planks, weight reps and posture exercises. “But honestly, it’s like play. It’s fun and it’s thrilling and you want to do well.”
She also spoke about the book her mother gave to her before she died; her karaoke go-to, Cam’ron’s “Hey Ma”; and crossing the language divide with “My Cousin Vinny.”
These are edited excerpts from the conversation.
1
Fried Egg and Soy Sauce on Top of White Rice
My grandma used to make that for me, and it’s a little bit of a Broke Boyz meal. There’s something so warm about the rice and the egg that feel like a hug.
2
Looking at Manhattan From Another Borough
I think the most poignant, emotional moments that I’ve ever had growing up in Queens were those silent cab drives home, or you’re in the subway and you’re on the bridge and you’re leaving the city — but you’re also cherishing it from a distance.
3
Sour Patch Kids
I would dream about going to the bodega after junior high school and getting those Sour Patch Kids. When I see those things — that, and certain popsicles from the ice cream truck — they’re just giving New York City summers.
4
‘Hey Ma’ by Cam’ron
That’s kind of like the “I Got You Babe” duet, if you will, of the karaoke sessions that I would have with my group of best friends, who were all rappers or musicians at some point, and all Korean. Sometimes I would be Cam’ron, and sometimes I’d be the female.
5
My Mom’s Note in Shel Silverstein’s ‘The Giving Tree’
“The Giving Tree” was the last thing that my mom gave me before she died. I was 4. In the note she says that she will always be my giving tree. It’s sad. It’s metaphorical. It’s not for a kid, I would say. But that is one of the most meaningful things for me.
6
Marla Hooch in ‘A League of Their Own’
There’s this woman [played by Megan Cavanagh] that’s raised by a single dad, and her dad loves her a lot, but she doesn’t believe in herself that much. Then she goes to this team and she’s the beast. It reminded me of my dad a little bit. He didn’t really know what else to do with me other than sports and stuff like that.
7
‘Nowhere Man’ by the Beatles
I listened to it melodically as a child. Then I remember listening to the lyrics and thinking, “Oh, that is so sad, what they’re saying.” Sometimes I feel like that.
8
‘The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle’ by Haruki Murakami
I had a really special teacher at LaGuardia named Donna Steffen, and she introduced this book. It’s like fantastic realism in this insane way. It was definitely the first Asian writer that I’d read. There’s a Kafkaesque vibe that is harrowing.
9
‘My Cousin Vinny’
There were only three things that I could really watch with my grandma: Lucy, Carol Burnett, “My Cousin Vinny.” That was one where she could really understand everything that was going on, just because Joe Pesci is so charismatic and funny. I studied some Mandarin, and then I was like, “I’m bringing you honor, Grandma. I’ve learned Chinese.” And I started talking to her and she was like, “Can you speak English?”
10
Linda’s Monologue in ‘Death of a Salesman’
I was shooting “Breaking News in Yuba County” in Natchez, Miss., where the director, Tate Taylor, resides. The cast was stacked — Allison Janney, Wanda Sykes, Regina King and Ellen Barkin, who is a hoot. Tate was doing a charity night at a local theater, and Ellen did that monologue and it was so beautiful. It’s so cool that the entire play is summed up from that. It gives me the chills right now thinking about it.
Read More: Awkwafina Won’t Forget This Play’s Monologue Anytime Soon
