Shang-Chi Star Simu Liu Shares His Advice For Stepping Into The Spotlight

This year’s Unforgettable Gala took place at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California, and marked the 19th iteration of the famed awards show. And, Shang-Chi Star Simu Liu gets candid about being a trailblazer, though he explained that he wrestles with whether or not the descriptor accurately fits him.

The 32-year-old actor, who recently broke records by becoming Marvel’s first Asian superhero in the studio’s film, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings talked to People, “I feel like somebody who’s just trying to take up space. My parents raised me kind of the way that they lived, which is very humbly, very under the radar, don’t want to rock the boat too much, don’t want to cause a ruckus.”

The Canadian actor went on saying, “I just feel like for us to collectively take the next steps as a community, we have to step into the spotlight. We have to be unapologetic and unafraid and we have to own our greatness.” “So that’s what I’m trying to do.” Still, “to set an example,” Liu adds, “it’s hard because I am still my parent’s son,” he added to the outlet.

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The nighttime ceremony recognized “Asian and Pacific Islander leaders who have fought for API presence in the arts, entertainment, and culture,” according to the event’s website. Hosted by Sherry Cola, the ceremony also saw appearances from other stars, including Sandra Oh, John Cho, Benedict Wong, and Daniel Dae Kim, among others.

Meanwhile, Liu won this year’s Breakout in Film Award, which “honors a rising talent who has impacted audiences around the world,” according to a press release. To be recognized by his own community, Liu says, is so important and a feeling like no other. “I first came to Unforgettable, my first time here was three years ago when I was on a little show called Kim’s Convenience,” he tells People. “And that just felt so good to be a part of the community and to celebrate the wins.”