'Barbie' Faces Backlash For Casting Simu Liu, Who Allegedly Wrote Pedophilia Is "No Different Than Being Gay" On Reddit
The "Barbie" movie is now facing backlash from social media users for its decision to cast Simu Liu. In 2019, the actor allegedly had a Reddit account tied to problematic comments, including one on pedophilia.
People on Twitter are not happy with Barbie's decision to cast Shang-Chi actor Simu Liu. This week, the highly-anticipated film released posters to reveal its star-studded cast, prompting people to voice their disappointment with Liu's feature. A viral post on the platform shared the colorful headshots with Liu's face covered up. "1 asian person and they got #him ... this is demonic i say," @robynisoneiric wrote in the comment section.
"the simu liu hate is not bc hes asian. its because hes a reddit incel who compared being gay to pedophilia and is anti black," tweeted @siyyaninaas.
@ghostfaeries adds, "tldr for those who dont know why everyone hates this casting: simu liu's old reddit got exposed where he likened being gay to being a pedophile, and made a bunch of racist, anti-black comments. you can google to find articles on it, just search his name + reddit/racist."
Years ago, Marvel fans found an account belonging to u/nippedinthebud with Simu Liu's name reportedly attached to it. According to screenshots, the account once wrote a disturbing statement about pedophilia and likened it to being gay. "In the end the role completely changed the way I look at pedophilia and has made me much more sympathetic to anyone who is born with those urges," the comment reads. "From a biological standpoint it’s not different than being gay – a small mutation in the genome that defines our sexual preferences.”
It continues by adding that "taking advantage of minors is wrong, disgusting and vile, even," but that society is "going about it completely the wrong way." He provides his solution, which is to "talk/write using throwaways and to avoid child pornography."
The person appeared to have visited incel subreddits, according to screenshots. It's important to note that Liu has not addressed these comments, nor has he confirmed that it was his account.
After these screenshots emerged on social media, Liu took to Twitter in 2019 to call the platform a "slanderous place." He wrote, "Just a reminder that I do not ever EVER advocate for anything other than positivity. Positive cultural pride, positive iterations of Asian masculinity and femininity - that means WE DON'T PUT EACH OTHER DOWN. Direct your frustration at the system that did this to ALL of us."
"Twitter is a slanderous place sometimes, and it feels good to shut down trolls and bad faith actors who want to drag your name through the mud," Liu added. While there are numerous posts about Liu's alleged old comments, the actor has stayed busy promoting the Barbie film on his social media accounts. "Free the nipple," Liu writes.
Evie Magazine has reached out to Simu Liu for comment.
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