What’s it like having a mom who makes people laugh with her comedy about being pregnant and a mom? For Mari and Nikki Hakuta, it’s their everyday life. They are the daughters of comedian Ali Wong and her ex-husband Justin Hakuta. But who are these girls behind the jokes?
Ali Wong became famous with her stand-up specials and acting roles, even while pregnant with her daughters. Her first Netflix special, “Baby Kobra,” was when she was expecting Mari. Then, “Hard Knock Wife” came out when she was pregnant with Nikki. These shows made Wong even more popular and let fans see her life as a mom.
Mari (8) and Nikki (6) live mostly out of the spotlight, thanks to their mom. Wong makes sure not to use them in her comedy acts. This careful approach to her career and family life has made fans and parents curious.
The Hakuta sisters were born in 2015 and 2017. Their lives changed a lot in 2022 when Wong and Hakuta got divorced after nearly a decade together. The divorce meant both parents would share custody of their daughters.
Key Takeaways:
- Ali Wong has two daughters: Mari (8) and Nikki (6) Hakuta
- Wong’s pregnancies were featured in her Netflix specials “Baby Kobra” and “Hard Knock Wife”
- The comedian prioritizes her children’s privacy by keeping them out of her stand-up material
- Wong and Justin Hakuta divorced in 2022, seeking joint custody of their daughters
- The Hakuta sisters often accompany their mother on tour, experiencing diverse cities and activities
Introduction to Ali Wong’s Family
Ali Wong started her stand-up comedy career in 2005, in San Francisco. She met Justin Hakuta at a friend’s wedding in 2010. They got married in November 2014 in San Francisco.
1. The Wong-Hakuta Family
The couple had their first daughter, Mari, in 2015, and then Nikki in 2017. Wong became famous during her pregnancies, which she talked about in her Netflix specials. These shows made her a star, sharing funny stories about being pregnant and being a mom.
2. Career Milestones and Family Life
Wong’s career took off as she juggled being a mom and a comedian. She played a role in the ABC sitcom “American Housewife” from 2016 to 2021. In 2019, she wrote “Dear Girls,” a book about her daughters, which won a Goodreads Choice Award.
Her third Netflix special, “Don Wong,” came out in February 2022. It helped make her even more popular in comedy.
3. Changes in Family Structure
After eight years together, Wong and Hakuta said they were separating in April 2022. They still work together to raise their daughters. Wong filed for divorce in December 2023, starting a new chapter for them.
Even with these changes, Wong’s career kept growing. She won two Golden Globe Awards and two Primetime Emmy Awards in 2023 for her role in “Beef” on Netflix.
Meet Mari Hakuta: Ali Wong’s Firstborn
Mari Hakuta was born in November 2015, starting Ali Wong’s journey as a mom. She came into the world through a cesarean section. This event brought joy and new experiences to Wong’s life.
Wong faced early parenting challenges, including a diagnosis of intrauterine growth restriction during her pregnancy.
Mari’s Early Years
Mari quickly became the star of the show as Wong’s first child. Now 7 years old, she is about 2 feet 2 inches tall. Wong’s experiences with Mari inspired much of her comedy, showing the real side of motherhood.
The arrival of her sister Nikki in 2017 added new dynamics to the family. Mari initially felt jealous of the new sibling.
The Story Behind Her Name
Wong picked a Japanese first name for Mari, honoring her husband Justin Hakuta’s heritage. This choice shows the family’s love for their diverse roots. Mari’s name beautifully mixes their various backgrounds, including Vietnamese, Chinese, and Filipino.
Wong’s First-Time Mother Journey
After Mari was born, Wong tried being a stay-at-home mom for eight weeks. She soon realized how tough full-time parenting is. Her experiences, including recovering from a cesarean section, changed her view on motherhood.
These challenges, however, didn’t stop Wong from loving Mari deeply. Her love for her daughter is clear in her comedy and interviews.
Nikki Hakuta: Ali Wong’s Younger Daughter
Nikki Hakuta was born on December 18, 2017. She is the younger daughter of comedian Ali Wong. At 6 years old, Nikki is a big part of the family growth that Ali Wong talks about in her comedy.
Ali Wong wanted her daughters to be close in age, inspired by her childhood. This choice has made a special bond between Nikki and her older sister Mari. Ali Wong often shares funny stories about Nikki’s early years and her interactions with Mari.
Nikki has a mix of Asian and Caucasian heritage, showing the diverse culture of the Wong-Hakuta family. Even though her mom is famous, Nikki keeps a private life off social media. With Ali Wong’s net worth of $4 million, Nikki has a comfortable life, away from the Hollywood spotlight.
The Influence of Motherhood on Ali Wong’s Career
Motherhood changed Ali Wong’s career for the better. Her Netflix shows “Baby Cobra” and “Hard Knock Wife” were huge hits. They made her a star, showing parents how to balance work and family.
Pregnancy and Comedy Specials
Wong made a mark by performing while pregnant. Her jokes about being pregnant and a mom hit home with many. These shows became Netflix’s top comedy hits.
Writing “Dear Girls”
Wong wrote “Dear Girls” for her daughters Mari and Nikki. It’s full of life advice, from dating to career choices. She jokes she wants them to wait until they’re 21 to read it, adding a fun twist.
Balancing Motherhood and Career
Wong shows it’s possible to have a career and be a mom. She makes time for her family, even while touring. She hasn’t missed stand-up in over 10 years, proving her dedication.
Ali Wong’s Approach to Parenting in the Spotlight
Ali Wong is a comedian known for her honest humor. She has a net worth of $4 million and is raising two daughters. Her rise to fame, thanks to her 2016 Netflix special “Baby Cobra,” has made her family life known to many.
Wong keeps her kids out of her jokes to protect their privacy. Even though she talks openly about being a mom, she doesn’t make fun of her daughters. This choice helps keep her kids’ lives normal in the entertainment world.
Wong’s life in the public eye often blends with being a mom. She takes her daughters on tour, making work trips fun family times. This way, she stays close to her daughters despite her busy career. It shows her dedication to balancing work and family in show business.
Wong’s mixed Chinese and Vietnamese background influences her parenting. She aims to teach her kids cultural values while dealing with the challenges of public life. This mix of tradition and modern celebrity parenting makes her approach to parenting stand out.
The Hakuta Sisters’ Multicultural Heritage
Mari and Nikki Hakuta, born in 2015 and 2017, have a rich Asian-American heritage. They grew up with a mix of Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, and Filipino cultures. This mix shapes their identity from a young age.
Blending Cultures in the Wong-Hakuta Household
Ali Wong and Justin Hakuta celebrate their diverse backgrounds at home. They share traditions from all four cultures with their daughters. This helps Mari and Nikki develop a strong cultural identity.
The family’s love for their roots is clear in their daily life. They honor their heritage in many ways.
Cultural Identity in a Celebrity Family
Even with famous parents, Mari and Nikki know a lot about their culture. Ali Wong, through her comedy and acting, shares Asian-American stories. This shapes how the sisters see their heritage.
Their childhood mixes American values with their multicultural background. This makes their identity unique.
The Wong-Hakuta family values cultural learning and fun. Mari and Nikki grow up knowing their diverse heritage. This prepares them for a world that values cultural diversity.
Life on the Road: Touring with Celebrity Kids
Ali Wong’s upcoming tour is a unique blend of family and work. She will travel with her daughters Mari, 7, and Nikki, 5. This mix of work and family life creates a special bond.
Wong’s tour is an adventure in balancing work and family. By day, the family visits museums and parks across America. At night, Wong performs while the girls sleep. This way, she can work and spend quality time with her kids.
The tour also gives Mari and Nikki educational experiences. They’ll see new places, learn about different cultures, and meet people. It’s a chance for them to learn more than what they do in school.
Justin Hakuta, Wong’s ex-husband, will be the tour manager. This means both parents will be with the girls during their travels. It shows their dedication to co-parenting and giving their daughters stability, even after their split.
Privacy and Protection: Shielding the Hakuta Girls from Public Scrutiny
Ali Wong, a famous comedian, strongly protects her kids from media attention. As a celebrity parent, she deals with special challenges to keep her daughters, Mari and Nikki Hakuta, private.
Keeping Kids Out of Comedy
Wong decided to leave her children out of her comedy. She thinks using their lives for jokes would need their okay, which they can’t give yet. This shows how some celebrity parents put their kids’ privacy first, even if it means missing out on career benefits.
Normal Childhood in the Spotlight
Even though she’s famous, Wong wants her daughters to have a normal childhood. The 5 and 7-year-old girls don’t really understand their mom’s fame. Wong tries to balance her career with keeping her family private, and protecting her kids from too much public attention.
In a world where celebrity kids often lose their privacy, Wong’s way is an example. By keeping Mari and Nikki out of the spotlight, she lets them grow up freely. This approach helps them enjoy childhood without the stress that comes with fame.
Final Verdict
Nikki and Mari Hakuta are the young daughters of comedian Ali Wong, growing up in a unique family dynamic shaped by their mother’s rise to fame. While Wong’s comedy career has skyrocketed, thanks in part to her hit Netflix specials that coincided with her pregnancies, she has made a conscious effort to shield her children from the spotlight.
By keeping Nikki and Mari out of her stand-up material and limiting their public exposure, Wong aims to provide them with as normal a childhood as possible, despite her celebrity status. The girls’ multicultural heritage, blending Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, and Filipino roots, adds another layer of richness to their upbringing.
Following Wong’s divorce from their father Justin Hakuta in 2022, the sisters now split their time between their parents, who remain dedicated to co-parenting. Wong continues to bring her daughters along on comedy tours, allowing them to experience new places and bond as a family, even as she pursues her thriving career.
As Nikki and Mari navigate their early years, their story serves as an example of how celebrity parents can prioritize their children’s well-being and privacy while still finding success in the entertainment industry. With a foundation of love, cultural appreciation, and a touch of their mother’s trademark humor, the Hakuta sisters are poised to forge their paths in life, whatever they may be.
