Awkwafina is Nora from Queens — and the voice of the No. 7 train
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Awkwafina will tell you the next stop on the No. 7 train. Photo courtesy of Comedy Central.
By Jonathan Sperling
The next stop is … wait is that Awkwafina?
If you’ve noticed something different about the subway announcements on the No. 7 line recently, it’s not just you — Queens native and actress Awkwafina began voicing the PA system as part of a promotional week leading up the premiere of her show, “Awkwafina is Nora From Queens” on Comedy Central.
The “Crazy Rich Asians” star, whose real name is Nora Lum, can be heard making station arrival announcements and other prompts at each one of the 22 stops along the No. 7 line from Flushing to Hudson Yards in Manhattan.
“This is Queensboro Plaza. Please remember to use headphones when listening to music, even if your playlist is straight fire,” Awkwafina says on the approach to the Queensboro Plaza station in Long Island City.
Other messages from the guest announcer include a reminder to stop manspreading, and for riders to hold their breath as they travel underwater from the Vernon Boulevard - Jackson Avenue station in LIC to Grand Central - 42nd Street in Manhattan.
The announcements came as a surprise to many No. 7 train riders on Tuesday morning. Some received it well, though others seemed to not pay the new announcements any mind.
“MTA train rides are usually draining, but hearing Awkwafina’s funny voice and lines really cheered me up. And gave me a burst of energy,” Nathan Lin, who takes the No. 7 train from Flushing, told the Eagle.
“As a Queens resident, I can’t be more proud of the growth of our communities,” Lin added.
MTA New York City Transit Chief Customer Officer Sarah Meyer said in a statement that the agency was “exploring new and different ways to generate much needed revenue, while also surprising and delighting customers.”
“Our focus will always be to run the trains safely and on time, and if a well-known voice can bring attention to in-car messaging, we are all for it,” Meyer continued.
The comical announcements can be heard until Jan. 22, when “Awkwafina is Nora From Queens,” is set to premiere. The comedy series is inspired by Awkwafina’s real-life experience growing up in Forest Hills and finding her way through young adulthood.
