Awkwafina Shares Emotional Post About Death of Best Friend: ‘Difficult to Explain in Words'

Mar. 15, 2025

Awkwafina in 2020.Photo:Brian Bowen Smith/Disney/Getty

Brian Bowen Smith/Disney/Getty

Awkwafinais mourning the death of her close friend.

“None of us were ready to have lost you Regina, and I still feel like texting you and calling you, asking you for advice or eating bomb ass Asian food with you. I feel you all around me still, and wish you didn’t have to go. I will keep you in my heart forever, and await the possibility of seeing you again one day. Until then, regi -rest well.”

The life of Biondo, who, according to her Instagram, was a web-developed and the occasional DJ, was celebrated with a dance party on Saturday, Oct. 26.

“On October 26th, we’re bringing together everyone who knew Regina to rave and celebrate her vibrant life. Be prepared for a night filled with iconic DJs and non-stop dancing,” the invite stated.

Biondo’s cause of death was cancer. On Oct. 9, her partner posted the news of her passing on Instagram.

“We honored her journey, creating a sacred space for her transition. We are currently processing and handling the necessary steps, and we will keep you updated on the details for her memorial and celebration.”

Awkwafina is no stranger to grief.

In 2019, she opened up to PEOPLE about growing up without a mother, who died when Awkwafina (born Nora Lum) was 4 from pulmonary hypertension. She spoke about how she leaned into humor to cope with the sorrow from the loss.

“Family members would come up to me and cry, and I didn’t like that,” she said.

“I was like, ‘Hey, let me make you laugh,’ " she continued. “I needed people to feel joy. That’s where all this began. I was the class clown all the way.”

She also said if she hadn’t experienced the tragic loss at such a young age, she likely wouldn’t have gone into the entertainment industry.

“I think all the time, what would I have been doing if my mom hadn’t passed? I don’t think I’d be here because I think that I had to face a certain level of trauma to be so joyously self-deprecating and so free.”

source: people.com