Simu Liu, Marvel actor, discusses his upbringing, strained relationship with his parents, challenges faced by a couple in an engineering program, shifting priorities during puberty, and his acting challenges in LA.
Simu Liu faced high expectations and abuse from his immigrant parents, which strained their relationship and shaped his childhood.
Despite his initial rebellion, Simu Liu pursued a business major to prove himself to his parents and achieved admission to a top business school in Canada.
Simu Liu's journey towards success in acting emphasized the importance of persistence, passion, and networking, and highlighted the power of collaboration and representation in the entertainment industry.
Deep dives
The Struggles of Childhood and High Expectations
The podcast episode discusses the challenges and high expectations faced by the host, Seam Liu, in his childhood and adolescence. Despite coming from hardworking immigrant parents, Seam felt neglected and abused at home. His parents pushed him relentlessly to excel academically and mocked his dreams of being a boy band member. The resulting tension strained their relationship, and Seam navigated the difficulties of trying to fit in and find his identity.
The Pursuit of Success and the Business School Opportunity
Seam discovers his talent for writing and creative pursuits, but his parents push him towards excelling in math and business studies. Although initially rebellious and lacking motivation, Seam decides to pursue a business major to prove himself to his parents. Through hard work and dedication, he gains admission to the top business school in Canada, a major achievement considering his tumultuous relationship with his parents and their high expectations.
A Brief Moment of Success and Popularity
Seam experiences a period of popularity and recognition during his freshman year of college. His talent in tricking and acrobatics earns him the spotlight in a university talent competition called Super Fresh. Winning the competition boosts his self-confidence and allows him to briefly taste the validation he has always longed for. However, his journey towards personal and academic success is still ongoing.
Reflection and Hope for Understanding
Reflecting on his experiences, Seam recognizes the impact of his parents' abuse and high expectations on his childhood and adolescent years. He hopes that by sharing his story, families in similar situations can learn from their mistakes and choose a path of kindness and understanding. Seam emphasizes the importance of listening to and respecting the individuality of children, fostering love and support rather than dictating and harshly enforcing expectations.
Overcoming Academic Struggles and Pursuing a Career in Acting
The podcast episode follows the journey of a student who struggles academically and finds success in acting. Despite underperforming in business school, he manages to secure a job in marketing for a bread company. However, his true passion lies in acting, and he eventually takes the leap to pursue his dream. Through hard work, networking, and auditions, he lands roles in TV shows, including Kim's Convenience, and eventually gets cast in a Marvel movie. His story highlights the importance of persistence, passion, and embracing opportunities in the pursuit of one's dreams.
Building a Network and Advocating for Diversity
Throughout his journey, the podcast episode emphasizes the importance of networking and building connections. The individual befriends well-known actors like Ken Jeong and Jeremy Lin, using these connections to expand his network of Asian actors. He becomes an advocate for diversity in the entertainment industry, using his public speaking engagements to promote inclusivity. This eventually leads to his breakthrough role in a Marvel movie. The episode highlights the power of collaboration, community, and the impact of seeing representation on screen.
Marvel’s Simu Liu will do a backflip right now if you prefer that version of his story. After moving to Canada at a young age he did the bare minimum to keep up with his parents’ intense expectations but he’ll do the most to get the marvel universe on his side.
