Simu Liu On His Favorite Watch Styles, Greatest Achievements, And Empowering The Asian And Pacific Islander Communities

It’s been almost 10 years since Simu Liu was last in Miami. The Chinese Canadian actor, film producer and author who made history as the first Asian superhero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as “Shang-Chi,” and who is set to play a Ken doll in the upcoming “Barbie” movie, was recently in town for a friendly “competition” organized by Swiss luxury watch manufacturer IWC Schaffhausen.

The “IWC Chrono Challenge,” organized in collaboration with Miami-based nonprofit Dibia DREAM, was part of IWC’s three-day takeover of Miami Design District’s Jungle Plaza during Miami Race Week.

Liu, who led “Team Green,” competed against seven-time Formula One world champion and IWC brand ambassador Lewis Hamilton’s “Team Pink” in a free throw basketball challenge. (Keep reading to find out who won.)

We caught up with Liu in Miami to chat about his favorite watch styles, his greatest achievements to date, and how we can celebrate and support the Asian and Pacific Islander communities this month and every month:

Why do you wear IWC?

I think IWC is really the only heritage watch brand that feels like there’s a gravitas behind it, but also a youthfulness and a willingness to be rebellious almost, and vibrant and fun. I think that’s exemplified by the Pilot watch that I’m wearing in petronas green. We have the Miami pink one that came out this season that I’m dying to get my hands on because I’m about to go on the “Barbie” press tour. I think the Miami pink strap would be perfect for every outfit.

But just looking back and seeing Lewis Hamilton, his massive billboard, the impact he’s had on the game, and through his partnership with IWC— just that reach and that feeling— it’s very much a brand that feels like home to me.

You are successful in so many different fields. But in your eyes, what has been your greatest achievement to date?

Beating Lewis Hamilton at the free throw (laughs). But no honestly, I’ll take that experience with me for a long time, just the honor of getting to meet him and playing a friendly game of competition and whatnot.

I think a couple of things, first I’d have to say hosting “Saturday Night Live” was a big career milestone for me. I grew up watching it. I love telling jokes and trying to make the people around me laugh and “SNL” has always been such a crown jewel in terms of anybody who’s in comedy, who studies comedy… and getting to do that at such an early point in my career was an extreme honor.

And second, of course, is getting to film a movie in which I am the first lead Asian superhero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. I think it’s such an impactful film. It meant so much for my career personally but just getting to debut the movie around the world, seeing the impact that it has firsthand on children, on people who have never seen themselves represented in that way is extremely meaningful.

It’s Asian Heritage Month right now and as a Chinese Canadian living in the US, what to you is the best thing about being Asian living in North America, and is there anything in particular you are doing to celebrate your heritage this month?

I think one of the best things about being Asian American or Asian Canadian in this day and age, that we’re really at a point I think in this social zeitgeist where our stories are starting to be seen and acknowledged. I feel that it’s something that— maybe maybe you feel the same way— we didn’t necessarily feel growing up is when we turned on the television, consumed content, we never necessarily saw ourselves represented in a way that felt aspirational or that felt authentic. And now, in the last five years, starting with “Crazy Rich Asians,” but really with so many films after it capped off with “Everything Everywhere All At Once,” which rightfully won all of the awards this season. There’s starting to be more of a light shed on our lived experiences and our stories and I think that’s incredibly important. We represent a growing part of the American population and we deserve to be seen and heard.

How can we support and empower the Asian and Pacific Islander communities this month and every month?

So much about what Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month is about is really visibility and awareness. Our lived experiences growing up was kind of feeling unseen, feeling invisible, so this month, so being able to celebrate our culture, our stories [would be helpful], in any way.

At the workplace, I’ve done corporate speaking engagements where we’ve talked about ways where we can create safe spaces for all employees regardless of their age, race, gender orientation to be able to express their concerns in an environment where they feel like they’re not the only one or feel like their job is not on the line, where they feel like yes, they can voice without any fear of auxiliary consequences what worries them, what troubles them. I think that’s critically important, and to continue to work in any way that we can. I think that’s [something] everybody can do whether they’re an ally [as well] or Asian American and just want to have this month and feel proud of who they. It’s really a wonderful month and I’m excited to celebrate it as well.