Awkwafina is grieving the loss of someone very dear to her. Through a heartfelt Instagram post, the 36-year-old Crazy Rich Asians actress shared the pain of saying farewell to her close friend, Regina Biondo, who passed away earlier this month at the age of 42.
In her message, Awkwafina expressed how overwhelming the loss felt, writing, “Today I said goodbye to a best friend in a loss so heartbreaking it is difficult to explain in words.”
Awkwafina shared a heartfelt tribute to her late friend Regina Biondo on Instagram
She went on to say that she struggles with the reality of Biondo’s absence, admitting, “None of us were ready to have lost you, Regina, and I still feel like texting or calling you, asking for advice, or sharing amazing Asian food together. I feel your presence all around me and wish you didn’t have to leave. I’ll carry you in my heart forever and hope to see you again one day. Until then, rest well, Regi.”
Biondo’s life was celebrated in the way she would have loved—through music and dancing. A gathering held on Saturday, October 26, invited friends to come together for a night of dancing and iconic DJs, with the event designed to honor her vibrant spirit. The invitation promised, “Prepare for a night of non-stop dancing as we celebrate Regina’s life.”
Her death was attributed to cancer. On October 9, Biondo’s partner shared the sad news on Instagram, revealing that she had passed peacefully on October 7. The post explained that she was surrounded by love in her final moments, finding release from the illness that had weighed on her. “We created a sacred space to honor her journey,” her partner shared, adding that more details about her memorial would follow.
Awkwafina is no stranger to loss. In a 2019 interview with PEOPLE, she spoke about the profound impact of losing her mother at just 4 years old. Her mother, who passed away from pulmonary hypertension, left a void that Awkwafina coped with by turning to humor. She recalled trying to cheer up grieving family members, saying, “I didn’t like seeing them cry, so I thought, ‘Hey, let me make you laugh.’”
She explained that her desire to make others feel joy started during those moments, eventually leading her to become the class clown throughout school. Reflecting on how that early loss shaped her, she admitted, “I think about it all the time—what would my life have been like if my mom hadn’t died? I doubt I’d be where I am today. It took experiencing that kind of trauma to become so joyously self-deprecating and free in who I am.”
