After opening up about his journey from Deloitte accountant to Marvel superhero on Richer Lives, Simu Liu is taking the conversation a step further.
Following his appearance on Richer Lives, Simu Liu sat down with us to go deeper on what happened after Shang-Chi changed his financial life, from his first major splurge to the risks he’s willing to take, how his parents have responded to his success, and why he believes embracing his identity is one of his greatest creative advantages.
1. What was the very first luxury item you bought after that initial Marvel paycheck hit?
My Shang-Chi splurge was an AP Royal Oak that I paid market price for because I hadn’t the slightest clue how to shop for watches yet. I had read this GQ article about how the Royal Oak was the ultimate “I’ve arrived in Hollywood” statement piece, and it incepted the idea into my head and also kicked off a very unhealthy obsession with watches.
2. You said your investment strategy needs to be safe so you can take risks in your career. What’s the biggest financial risk you’ve taken since Shang-Chi?
I don’t make risky decisions with my nest egg. I think the riskiest thing I’ve ever done is buy real estate to be honest, just because it’s not as safe of an investment as it used to be. I’d be curious what some of the other SoFi Richer Lives guests have to say about it, and maybe I’m wrong, but I think the paradigm of holding real estate as a long term investment is outdated. Financing rates are extremely punishing, home prices are astronomical as a proportion of rent… it’s just not a sure thing anymore.
3. You shared that your dad sent you $1000 in 2013 when things were tough. Now that you’re financially thriving, how has your relationship with your parents around money evolved?
It’s very weird in the ways that it has and hasn’t. One thing I always dreamt that this life would afford me was the opportunity to treat my parents to a better lifestyle. In practicality, they’ve never wanted to accept anything from me. Sometimes when I buy them things they commit identity theft to return them so that I get the money back. It’s very frustrating. I will say, I think both my parents retired early because of me, so it brings me joy to see them fully leaning into their hobbies today. My mom is taking piano lessons and both my parents have become mountaineers which is just crazy.
4. You once measured success by getting a Deloitte offer. Today, what tells you that you’re on the right path that has nothing to do with money or the box office?
I measure the success of an opportunity by its ability to get me to where I want to go. Does this project set me up to achieve my goals one, two, five years from now? We can never guarantee results in this industry, but it doesn’t mean you can’t or shouldn’t have a very clear idea of what you’re trying to accomplish.
5. As someone building a production company, how do you pitch telling diverse stories as more of an asset than a risk?
I have only ever benefitted from leaning into my identity. You’ve got to stop framing it in your mind as an impediment and start seeing it as a competitive advantage. “This is what I can speak to that nobody else can. This is what I have to offer that is different from what everyone else has got.” That specialness, that sauce, that is the unique fingerprint that will give my production company the edge it needs to succeed in a crowded marketplace.
