“Hard to explain in words”

The actress mourns the loss of a close friend who died on October 7 at the age of 42: “I still feel like texting and calling you”

Awkwafina mourns the death of a close friend.

In a heartbreaking post regarding Instagram, Crazy Rich Asians the star (36) wrote about saying goodbye to Regina Biondo, who died earlier this month at the age of 42.

“Today I said goodbye to my best friend who suffered a loss so heartbreaking it’s hard to put into words,” she wrote.

“None of us were ready to lose you, Regina, and I still want to text you, call you, ask for advice, or eat amazing Asian food with you. I still feel you around me and I wish you had done this. I have to go. I will keep you in my heart forever and wait to see you again one day. Until then, re-rest.

Related: Sandra Oh and Awkwafina Reflect on Working with Paul Reubens Before His Death: ‘So Special’ (Exclusive)

The life of Biondo, who according to her Instagram was a website developer and occasional DJ, was celebrated with a dance party on Saturday, October 26.

“On October 26, we gather all who knew Regina to marvel and celebrate her vibrant life. Get ready for an evening filled with iconic DJs and non-stop dancing,” we read in the invitation.

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

“It is with deep sadness that we share the news of Regina’s peaceful passing on the afternoon of Monday, October 7. Surrounded by enormous love, she was finally free from the cancer that weighed heavily on her body,” her partner and friends wrote.

“We honored her journey by creating a sacred space for her transformation. We are currently processing and taking the necessary steps and will keep you updated with details of her commemoration and celebration.”

Awkwafina is no stranger to grief.

In 2019, she told PEOPLE about growing up without her mother, who died when Awkwafina (born Nora Lum) was 4 from pulmonary hypertension. She talked about how she turned to humor to cope with the grief of loss.

Related: Awkwafina reveals the greatest moment of her career

“Family members came to me and cried, but I didn’t like it,” she said.

“I thought, ‘Hey, let me make you laugh,’” she continued. “I needed people who would feel joy. This is where it all started. I was the class clown the whole time.”

She also said that if she hadn’t experienced a tragic loss at such a young age, she probably wouldn’t have entered the entertainment industry.

“I keep thinking, what would I have done if my mother hadn’t died? “I don’t think I’m here because I think I had to face a certain level of trauma to be able to self-deprecate so happily and be so free.”

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