Hana Mae Lee (born September 28, 1988) is an American actress, model, comedian, and fashion designer of Korean descent. She is best known for playing the eccentric, soft-spoken Lilly Nakuru Mara in the Pitch Perfect film trilogy (2012–2017). She was born in the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles, California. Lee began her professional career at 16 as a model and commercial actress. She appeared in more than 40 national advertising campaigns for brands like Jeep, Honda, Verizon Wireless, Apple, Nokia, and American Express.

At 15, she also worked as a makeup artist, doing makeovers at Macy’s. She later shifted her focus to fashion design. Lee graduated from Otis College of Art and Design with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in fashion design. She has collaborated with several design houses as an image and style consultant. She has also launched her own jewelry and fashion lines.

Beyond Pitch Perfect, Lee appeared in The Babysitter (2017) and The Babysitter: Killer Queen (2020), playing the character Sonya. The sequel became Netflix’s number-one streamed film in 2020. She recently starred as Rebecca in the 2025 dark comedy thriller Boris Is Dead. Her early TV work includes a 2011 guest role on Mike & Molly. Lee is a multifaceted artist. She is part of the band Grave Condition, which released its debut album Atmospheric Paradigm in 2025. She also works in filmmaking and served as a producer on the hybrid documentary feature Hot God On A Stick.

Early Life

Hana Mae Lee was born on September 28, 1988, in the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles County, California. She is of Korean descent. Both of her parents immigrated from Korea and raised her with a strong focus on discipline, education, and stable career choices. Her mother worked in the fashion industry and ran a beauty and hair salon for more than 25 years. This exposed Lee to design, makeup, and other creative fields at a young age. It also sparked her first interest in fashion.

Even with this creative influence, her home life was work-oriented. Her parents pushed her toward academic success and traditional careers, including the idea of joining the FBI. Because of this, she waited until after high school to explore modeling and acting. Lee speaks fluent Korean, reflecting her family’s cultural roots.

Growing up in this structured environment helped build her resilience. It also shaped the blend of cultural and creative values she later brought into her career, even as she navigated her parents’ concerns about the entertainment industry.

Education

Hana Mae Lee attended Granada Hills Charter High School in the San Fernando Valley. During this time, she developed a growing interest in art and design. Her family’s belief in education as a foundation for creativity encouraged her to pursue formal training. At age 16, she enrolled at Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles. She completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in fashion design around 2008. Starting college early allowed her to dive into a demanding curriculum that balanced creativity with technical skill.

Her time at Otis revealed the intense, behind-the-scenes reality of the fashion world—far from the glamorous image it often shows. She also built early professional networks through internships and school events. These experiences connected her with industry mentors who shaped her understanding of teamwork and design. After graduation, she received a job offer from Ralph Lauren in New York. She declined the position to pursue her passion for acting instead.

Early Career

Hana Mae Lee began her professional journey at age 15 as a makeup artist. She performed makeovers at Macy’s department stores, gaining hands-on experience and building skills that later supported her shift into fashion design.

Modeling

Lee entered the modeling industry at 16. She started with on-camera work in national commercials, which quickly gave her visibility in advertising. She appeared in major campaigns for brands such as Jeep, Honda, and Verizon Wireless, becoming one of the standout Asian-American faces in early 2000s commercial media. One of her breakthrough moments came with Honda’s

“It Must Be Love” commercial—also known as “Best Friends (Cars/People).” The ad became widely recognized and won both a Cannes Lions Award and an ANDY Award for its creative approach. Over the next few years, Lee worked in more than 40 national campaigns. She also expanded into print modeling and music video appearances, building a diverse portfolio beyond television spots. Her print work included features in Vogue Korea, Wonderland, and Schön, which helped position her as a rising talent in editorial fashion.

Fashion Design

After earning her Bachelor of Fine Arts in fashion design from Otis College of Art and Design, Hana Mae Lee began working professionally as a designer. She contributed to apparel and accessory lines for Juicy Couture and Massimo, creating pieces that blended casual luxury with accessible style. She also designed lifestyle apparel for Harley-Davidson, expanding her range across different fashion categories.

Lee used her training to work as an image and style consultant for several design houses. She helped shape brand aesthetics, offering guidance on styling, presentation, and overall visual identity. Her early modeling background provided industry connections that supported these consulting .

Music

Hana Mae Lee co-founded the band Grave Condition with electro performance artist Mark Mallory after three years of creative collaboration. She contributes vocals, co-writes lyrics, and participates in music production.

The duo released their debut album, Atmospheric Paradigm, on April 18, 2025. The nine-track, 30-minute project blends goth, post-punk, electronic, and experimental elements to create atmospheric, emotionally driven soundscapes. Notable tracks include “Weapon of Performance,” “Converging Coordinates,” and “Reduced,” which showcase Lee’s layered vocals and introspective writing.

For any suggestion, or changes, please contact us, the Kaz Legacy team