Simu Liu, the breakout star of Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and the highly successful Barbie film, has become an inspirational figure in Hollywood. His rise to fame is not just about his talent but also about his remarkable transformation from a “failed” accountant to one of the most sought-after stars in the industry. Liu’s journey is a testament to resilience, reinvention, and the pursuit of a dream, even when things seem impossible.
In recent interviews, Liu has opened up about his difficult past, how he found himself at “rock bottom,” and the steps he took to change his life and career trajectory. His story is one of persistence, self-discovery, and unwavering belief in his potential—despite the challenges he faced.
1. The Struggle of Being a “Failed Accountant”
Simu Liu’s story begins in Toronto, where he was born to Chinese immigrant parents. Like many first-generation children of immigrants, Liu was expected to pursue a stable and respected career. Accounting, a reliable and high-paying profession, was the path his parents envisioned for him. However, Liu had no interest in accounting. He was more drawn to the arts, particularly acting, but felt pressured to follow the conventional route.
Liu’s early professional life was marked by the disappointment of struggling to find his place in a field that didn’t resonate with him. After graduating with a degree in accounting, he found himself working at a big accounting firm. It was a job that, by all appearances, should have been a success, but Liu felt miserable.
In a recent interview, Liu described his time as an accountant:
“I was living someone else’s life. I was doing everything that I thought I was supposed to do—go to school, get a job, climb the ladder—but deep down, I was completely unfulfilled. I felt like I was just wasting my potential.”
The decision to step away from the corporate world was not easy. He was unhappy with his career but also terrified of disappointing his family. The constant pressure to succeed in a conventional way made Liu feel stuck, but he knew he couldn’t continue living a life that didn’t align with who he truly was.
2. Breaking Free from the Corporate World
Liu’s breaking point came when he was laid off from his accounting job. While many would have seen this as a crisis, Liu saw it as a blessing in disguise. The layoff forced him to reassess his life and take the leap he had been too afraid to take.
He took a hard look at his situation and realized that he couldn’t keep living in fear of failing. That’s when he made a life-changing decision: he would pursue acting.
However, breaking into the entertainment industry wasn’t easy. Liu began by taking acting classes, doing stand-up comedy, and performing in local theaters, even though he had no formal training in the arts. To support himself financially, he worked various odd jobs and even got a job as a receptionist at a casting agency. This period of hustle was difficult, but it was also necessary for his personal growth.
3. The Turning Point: Landing His First Big Role
Simu Liu’s career took a significant turn when he landed a role on the Canadian TV series Kim’s Convenience (2016). The show, which is a sitcom about a Korean-Canadian family, became a major hit and put Liu on the map as a rising star. Playing the role of Jung Kim, a rebellious son navigating generational and cultural differences, Liu’s natural charisma and comedic timing quickly gained attention.
The success of Kim’s Convenience gave Liu a platform and the confidence to keep pursuing his dreams. But despite his newfound visibility, Liu still faced challenges as a Chinese-Canadian actor in an industry that often failed to offer diverse roles for actors of Asian descent.
Liu often spoke about how, early in his career, he felt like he was always being typecast or sidelined. He wasn’t being offered the roles he truly wanted—particularly those of action heroes or leading men. But rather than being discouraged, Liu used these experiences as motivation to push harder.
“When I started, there were moments when I was like, ‘Is this really going to work for me? Is this going to be my career? Am I just going to be a background actor for the rest of my life?’ But there’s a certain point where you stop worrying about those things, and you just start living for yourself,” Liu recalled.
4. Becoming Marvel’s Shang-Chi
Liu’s defining moment arrived in 2019 when he was cast as the lead in Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021). This was a groundbreaking role, as Shang-Chi was the first Asian superhero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) to have his own solo film. Not only was it a massive professional achievement, but it was also a milestone for Asian representation in Hollywood.
Securing the role of Shang-Chi was a game-changer for Liu. He was no longer just an actor with a few small TV roles; he was now an international superstar. The experience of being part of the MCU was transformative. For Liu, the journey to playing Shang-Chi wasn’t just about landing a role—it was about breaking down barriers and creating space for more diverse narratives in Hollywood.
In an interview about Shang-Chi, Liu reflected on how the role symbolized both personal and cultural growth:
“It was an opportunity to create a character that people from my community could look up to. It was more than just about the action sequences—it was about showing that we, as Asian people, deserve to be represented as superheroes, as complex characters. It was about pride, and it was about proving to the world that we belong here.”
The movie was both a critical and commercial success, and Liu’s performance as the titular character was praised for its depth and authenticity. He was hailed as a trailblazer for Asian actors in Hollywood, setting the stage for more diverse superheroes in the future.
5. Joining the Barbie Phenomenon
Simu Liu’s star continued to rise after Shang-Chi, and one of his next big projects was the star-studded Barbie movie, directed by Greta Gerwig. The film, which became a cultural phenomenon in 2023, featured Liu in a supporting role alongside a powerhouse cast that included Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, and Will Ferrell.
Liu’s role in Barbie was just another example of how far he had come since his days as a failed accountant. His involvement in the film, which was both critically and commercially successful, further cemented his status as one of Hollywood’s most dynamic young stars.
“Being part of Barbie was surreal. It was like, ‘How did this happen?’ From a job that I hated to working alongside some of the most talented people in the world—it’s been a dream come true,” Liu said.
6. Lessons from His Journey: Overcoming Rock Bottom
Simu Liu’s rise from rock bottom to Hollywood stardom is filled with invaluable life lessons. Looking back, Liu reflects on his journey with pride and humility, knowing that his path wasn’t linear or easy—but it was entirely worth it.
He often talks about the importance of perseverance and self-belief, especially when the odds seemed stacked against him. He emphasizes that failure is not permanent, and how hitting rock bottom can sometimes be the push you need to change your life.
“I was at rock bottom more than once. And if you’re at rock bottom, you can only go up. You have to be willing to try, fail, and then try again. What I learned through all of this is that you have to trust yourself, take risks, and understand that life is not about perfection—it’s about progression,” Liu shared.
Liu has also become a vocal advocate for Asian representation in Hollywood, using his platform to inspire others who might feel marginalized or overlooked. Through his success, he wants to show younger generations that they can dream big and reach for the stars, no matter their background or circumstances.
Conclusion: A New Chapter
Simu Liu’s journey is one of resilience, self-discovery, and reinvention. From a corporate job he hated to starring in blockbuster films like Shang-Chi and Barbie, Liu has proven that success is not about following a prescribed path—it’s about trusting your instincts, taking chances, and always striving for more.
For Liu, this is only the beginning. He continues to challenge the status quo, both in Hollywood and in his personal life, proving that even when you hit rock bottom, there’s always room to rise and create a new destiny.
