As a fellow Ontarioan, I was already excited about Simu Liu when he was having “Canada success” on Kim’s Convenience. But since then, he’s 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.

It’s been amazing to see how beautifully he’s balancing representing our community and staying true to himself. I saw Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings three times. I was so pleased to see Simu exercise his comedy chops, his fighting skills, his gravitas. I love his ability to poke fun at himself. And, of course, the guy looks great in a suit.

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.

Oh is an Emmy-nominated actor

Photograph by Nhu Xuan Hua for TIME

Styled by Oliver Volquardsen; grooming by Petra Sellge; production by LG Studio

Get a print of the 2022 TIME100 cover featuring Simu Liu

More Must-Reads from TIME

Contact us at letters@time.com.

Tim Cook
Mary J. Blige
Candace Parker
Volodymyr Zelensky
Zendaya
5 stories
EDIT POST