Awkwafina Opened Her Monumental Saturday Night Live Episode With a Touching Tribute to Lucy Liu

Contrary to popular belief, @awkwafina is NOT a #CrazyRichAsian. #SNL pic.twitter.com/DTt8PlTQUA

— Saturday Night Live - SNL (@nbcsnl) October 7, 2018

If you've seen Crazy Rich Asians or Ocean's 8, you'll know that Awkwafina is hilarious. When she opened Saturday Night Live in her first time hosting the show, the 29-year-old actress delivered a touching monologue that paid tribute to Lucy Liu, the first-ever Asian woman to host the show. On Oct. 6, Awkwafina became the second.

See, Awkwafina waited outside of Saturday Night Live when she was 11 years old to try and get into the taping of the episode Lucy hosted in 2000. "I remember how important that episode was for me and totally changed what I thought was possible for an Asian-American woman," Awkwafina said. Adding, "Thank you, Lucy, for opening the door. I wasn't able to make it in the building back then, but 18 years later, I am hosting the show."

Absolutely 💖 @awkwafina seriously @nbcsnl this has got to be my fav opening ever! Now we need a pic of @LucyLiu and #Awkwafina being #Friends pic.twitter.com/WayezntSGc

— 💥Samantha Lauzon💥 (@samanthalauzon) October 7, 2018

Awkwafina's heartwarming monologue was of course not without laughs. In her first line, she said, "I was gonna come out dressed like a water bottle, but apparently someone did that last week." She also managed to slip in a Donald Trump impression in joking about her dad's accent. Watch the monologue above.