Who Is Hosting ‘SNL’ Season 44 This Week? NBC Welcomes First-Time Host

“Saturday Night Live” is new again this week, and this time, a new host is making her “SNL” debut. The NBC variety show will welcome Awkwafina on Oct. 6.

Awkwafina, born Nora Lum, has been gaining popularity steadily for the last several years. Her career kicked off with the viral rap video “My Vag” in 2012, which went on to earn 3 million views. However, it’s her acting career that led her to become the breakout star of summer.

First, she grabbed audiences’ attention in “Ocean’s 8” as a con artist alongside stars like Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett and Rihanna in June. Then, in August, she stole scenes in “Crazy Rich Asians” as the best friend to the leading lady (Constance Wu). Both were box office hits with “Ocean’s 8” earning $296 million worldwide, and “Crazy Rich Asians” is at $220 million worldwide and counting. The Jon Chu-directed film is now the sixth highest earning romantic comedy domestically, according to Box Office Mojo.

On Instagram, Awkwafina revealed that she is having a great time preparing for Season 44, episode 2. “Always dreamed of what this would be like as a kid. The SNL table read... and it was amazing,” she wrote.

Paper Magazine reports that Awkwafina is the first Asian woman to host “SNL” since 2000. Lucy Liu last had the responsibility in 2000. The YouTube sensation is reportedly the fourth Asian ever to host. In addition to Liu, Jackie Chan and Aziz Ansari have also had the position.

Awkwafina won’t be the only first-timer on “SNL” this week. Travis Scott is also making his debut as the musical guest. The rapper released his third album, “Astroworld,” in August, and the record has reached platinum status after selling over 1 million copies. After “SNL,” Scott will play the Austin City Limit Festival in Texas before he embarks on his Wish You Were Here Tour in November. The tour kicks off in Baltimore on Nov. 8 and wraps up in Portland on Dec. 22.

“SNL” airs live coast-to-coast on Saturday at 11:30 p.m. EDT.