Yes, there’s an upcoming Barbie movie, with Suicide Squad’s Margot Robbie as the iconic pink-loving fashion doll. And yes, the swoon-worthy Ryan Gosling is playing one of the ‘Kens’. Playing another ‘Ken,’ however, is Canadian actor Simu Liu, who rose to fame for joining the Marvel universe in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
But from the way Liu talked about the full-body waxing he had to undergo for the Barbie movie, he may have found playing a superhero somewhat easier. “Waxing has been an education to say the least. It was one of the most painful experiences of my life. I have such a newfound admiration for the incredibly brave women who go through this on a monthly basis,” Liu was quoted as saying to UK’s Independent.
But to his credit, the actor seems unafraid of new experiences, including writing an autobiography at his young age, 33, and relatively newfound fame.
Nevertheless, his book, “We Were Dreamers,” recently made it to The New York Times bestsellers list, which the actor celebrated with the following tweet.
In celebration of We Were Dreamers hitting the New York Times Bestsellers list, I am reclaiming my Zumba stock photos!!
Thanks to everyone who bought a copy, and @OliviaMunn and @VancityReynolds for their amazing back cover blurbs. Both way better than @RonnyChieng's. pic.twitter.com/jFlUS73Hrz
— Simu Liu (刘思慕) (@SimuLiu) May 31, 2022
Liu was also included in TIME’s recent 100 Most Influential People in 2022.
In the write-up, fellow actor Sandra Oh wrote that Liu has “been on a path that no Chinese Canadian has walked before. He’s part of the first generation of Asian Americans and Canadians to reach true stardom.”
“Simu has been working hard to get through closed doors, and now he wants to hold those doors open for others. You see him doing that through the way he speaks out against hateful violence, his openness about his own experiences of isolation and discrimination, his professional choices. He’s our superhero,” she added.
On May 26, the actor tweeted that he will be hosting the Time 100 Gala on June 12th.
Hey world! Excited to be hosting the #Time100 Gala which for the first time EVER will be broadcast on @abc. I'll see you June 12th.
On a related note, do you guys think Bill Gates would like bubble tea if I got some for him on the day? https://t.co/sgzuDIIZRm
— Simu Liu (刘思慕) (@SimuLiu) May 26, 2022
/TISG