Claire Thompson
In the Pitch Perfect film series, the character Lilly Onakuramara, played by Hana Mae Lee, is a soft-spoken Asian American. Lilly is a main character in the Barden Bellas, the film's a cappella group, and serves as their beatboxer. She has several memorable moments in the film, including a confession scene where she reveals that she ate her twin in the womb, and a rope game where she displays her agility by cutting a trapped Beca free. Lilly's character has sparked conversations about the representation of Asian Americans in media, with some critics arguing that she perpetuates the quiet/shy/submissive stereotype of Asian women.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the character | Lilly Onakuramara |
| Real name | Esther |
| Portrayed by | Hana Mae Lee |
| Role in the Barden Bellas | Beatboxer |
| Voice | Very little voice; speaks softly |
| Cardio | Lilly was able to do the cardio instructed by Aubrey during rehearsals |
| Tent scene | Lilly slept next to Beca and licked her nose as a sign of affection |
| Spring break | Spent her spring break with a group of people who beatbox |
| Rope game | Fat Amy shouted that Lilly said "she's an Asian Jesus!" |
| Beca's rescue | Lilly cut the rope from the tree in ninja style and saved Beca |
| Bat | Lilly said she sleeps upside down like a bat |
| Time travel | Lilly softly said she's gonna travel through time |
| Competitions | Lilly competed with the Bellas in all of their competitions |
| Voice in competitions | Lilly was able to sing in a louder voice during the finals |
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What You'll Learn
Hana Mae Lee played Lilly Onakuramara in the Pitch Perfect films
Hana Mae Lee is an American actress, model, comedian, artist, and fashion designer. She portrayed the character Lilly Onakuramara in the Pitch Perfect film series. Lee's character is a member of the Barden Bellas, where she is the group's beatboxer. Lilly speaks with a very soft voice, which most of the group cannot hear. In the first film, she is accepted into the Bellas by Aubrey and Chloe, despite the group's difficulty in hearing her.
Lilly is a quirky character, who makes some odd confessions during the film. She admits that she ate her twin in the womb, and that she sleeps hanging upside down like a bat. During a tent scene in Pitch Perfect 2, Lilly licks Beca's nose as a sign of affection. She also says that she will travel through time after graduation.
Hana Mae Lee's portrayal of Lilly received a nomination for the Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Scene Stealer in 2013. Lee reprised her role in the sequels Pitch Perfect 2 and Pitch Perfect 3.
Some viewers have criticised the character of Lilly as perpetuating Asian stereotypes, specifically the quiet/shy/submissive stereotype of Asian women. However, others have disagreed with this assessment, arguing that she does not fit the usual stereotype.
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Lilly is a beatboxer for the Barden Bellas
Lilly Onakuramara, whose real name is Esther, is a main character in the Pitch Perfect film trilogy. Portrayed by Hana Mae Lee, Lilly is a member of the Barden Bellas and serves as the group's beatboxer. Despite her quiet voice, she successfully auditions for the Bellas and is accepted by Aubrey and Chloe.
Lilly's character has been the subject of discussions surrounding the representation of Asian Americans in the film. Some have argued that she reinforces the quiet, shy, and submissive stereotype of Asian women. However, others have disagreed, noting that she does not perfectly fit this stereotype. During the film, Lilly can be seen bonding with her fellow Bellas during a retreat, where she displays her ninja-like agility by saving Beca from bear traps. She also shares a unique talent for sleeping upside down like a bat.
Lilly plays an important role in the Bellas' dynamics, attempting to stop a fight between Aubrey, Chloe, and Fat Amy. Unfortunately, she fails and ends up falling into a puddle of Aubrey's vomit. Despite this setback, Lilly persists in her efforts to bring the group together. During a confessional session started by Beca, Lilly reveals that she ate her twin in the womb. This unexpected revelation helps clear the air and encourages the Bellas to try a new type of song.
As the film progresses, Lilly works hard to improve her singing and choreography with the other new members of the Barden Bellas. By the time of the finals, she is able to sing with a louder and more recognizable voice, contributing to the Bellas' ultimate victory in the World Championship.
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Lilly speaks very quietly and is hard to hear
In the Pitch Perfect film series, the character Lilly Onakuramara (played by Hana Mae Lee) speaks very quietly and is often hard for other characters to hear. Lilly is the beatboxer of the Barden Bellas, and her quiet voice is a running theme throughout the trilogy.
During Lilly's audition, she is accepted as a Bella despite the fact that almost no one can hear her. In one scene, Aubrey—another member of the Bellas—pukes while being chased by Chloe and Fat Amy. Lilly attempts to stop the fight, but she is pushed and falls into Aubrey's vomit. Beca then suggests that the Bellas share something about themselves that no one knows, to clear the air and get to know each other better. Before sitting down, a towel is placed on the chair to protect it from the puke on Lilly's back. Lilly then admits that she ate her twin in the womb.
Lilly's quiet voice is portrayed as a source of humour in the films. During a campfire scene, she softly says that she's going to travel through time after graduation. She also says that she sleeps upside down like a bat, to the shock and confusion of her fellow Bellas. It is only towards the end of the film that Lilly is able to speak in a louder and more recognisable voice.
Some viewers have criticised the character of Lilly as perpetuating stereotypes about Asian women, specifically the quiet, shy, and submissive stereotype. However, others have argued that she does not fit this stereotype exactly and that her character is more nuanced.
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Lilly's character has been criticised for perpetuating Asian stereotypes
The character of Lilly Onakuramara in the Pitch Perfect films has been criticised for perpetuating Asian stereotypes. Lilly, played by Hana Mae Lee, is depicted as a very quiet character with a soft voice, which some viewers have interpreted as reinforcing the stereotype of Asian women as shy and submissive.
In one scene, Lilly admits to the Bellas that she ate her twin in the womb, which some viewers found disturbing and perpetuating negative stereotypes about Asian culture. Lilly is also shown to have a unique sense of humour and a talent for beatboxing, which some viewers found refreshing and a departure from stereotypes.
During a tent scene in Pitch Perfect 2, Lilly licks Beca's nose as a sign of affection, and later cuts a rope in a "ninja-style" move to save Beca from bear traps. These scenes have been criticised for perpetuating the "Asian Jesus" stereotype and playing into the "ninja" trope, respectively.
Lilly's character has also been praised for bringing representation to the screen, especially in the context of the lack of significant Asian characters in film and television. Some viewers have defended the character, arguing that she does not fit the typical shy and submissive Asian woman stereotype and that her unique personality traits make her a well-rounded character.
The conversation around Lilly's character highlights the complexities of representation and the potential for both positive and negative interpretations of a character's traits. While some viewers found her portrayal uplifting, others felt it perpetuated harmful stereotypes about Asian women. This debate underscores the importance of thoughtful and nuanced representation on screen to avoid perpetuating stereotypes and promote more authentic and diverse storytelling.
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Lilly's confessions to the Bellas include that she ate her twin in the womb
In the Pitch Perfect film series, Lilly Onakuramara, played by Hana Mae Lee, is a main character who is the beatboxer of the Barden Bellas. She speaks with a very soft voice, so softly that it is often inaudible to the other characters. This is played for comedic effect, as the audience can hear her bizarre statements, but the other characters cannot.
During a fight between the Bellas, Aubrey, Chloe, and Fat Amy, Lilly attempts to stop the fight but is pushed into a puddle of Aubrey's vomit. Following this, Beca suggests that the Bellas share something about themselves that no one else knows to clear the air. Lilly confesses that she ate her twin in the womb. This is not the only confession she makes in the film; she also says that she sleeps upside down like a bat and that she will travel through time.
Lilly's soft-spoken nature is never fully explained in the films, though in the third film, she says "Satan has finally left my body" before speaking in her full voice. This suggests that her soft-spoken nature may be a personal choice, though the films never fully reveal the origin of her quiet tone.
The representation of Asian Americans in Pitch Perfect has been criticised for perpetuating stereotypes. Some viewers have argued that Lilly reinforces the quiet/shy/submissive stereotype of Asian women, though others disagree.
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Frequently asked questions
Hana Mae Lee, an award-winning actress, fashion designer, musician, artist, writer, filmmaker, and makeup artist, plays the role of Lilly Onakuramara in the Pitch Perfect film series.
During a campfire scene, Lilly softly says that she will travel through time. She also mentions that she ate her twin in the womb.
Hana Mae Lee has appeared in several TV series, including "Mike & Molly," "Workaholics," "Californication," "Better Things," "Patriot," and "Perpetual Grace, Ltd." She has also been involved in commercials and music videos, such as "It Must Be Love" for Honda and "Mr. Brightside" by The Killers.
