Hollywood mega-star and Mississauga native Simu Liu will host popular awards show

Hollywood star and Mississauga native Simu Liu is never too far from the spotlight — and he’ll take centre stage yet again next month at one of the entertainment industry’s biggest awards shows.

The 34-year-old Liu, who in a heartbeat was vaulted into superstardom with Marvel’s 2021 mega-hit Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and who last year starred in the summer blockbuster Barbie movie, will host the 2024 People’s Choice Awards taking place Feb. 18 in Santa Monica, California.

The popular awards show honours crowd favourites across the entertainment realm, including big screen movies and TV shows and the people who star in and create them.

The general public determines the winners via online vote. The two-hour People’s Choice Awards will air on NBC in prime time.

Liu, who played one of the Kens in the smash hit Barbie film, is the winner himself of a People’s Choice Award. He won in the “Action Movie Star” category two years ago for his leading role in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.

And he’s up for another award this year. Liu is nominated for his role in the Barbie movie, which itself is up for “Movie of the Year” and “Comedy Movie of the Year.”

People’s Choice Awards organizers told media in the U.S. they see the Mississauga native as a “fan favourite” and “tour de force” in Hollywood, noting his “limitless charm and connection to fans perfectly embody the spirit of this awards show.”

Online voting for the awards is open until Jan. 19.

While Liu seems to enjoy the big stage, he’s also known to kick back and relax when he finds some down time. Far away from the glamour and bright lights of Hollywood, he enjoyed a quiet, typically Canadian long weekend last summer north of Toronto when he spent the Canada Day holiday at a Muskoka cottage.

Liu has also kept busy the past couple of years with gigs that include numerous public appearances, celebrity sports events, giving it his best on Celebrity Jeopardy and hosting the Juno Awards, to name a few.