Simu Liu channeled his Kenergy at the Academy Awards alongside Ryan Gosling. During a performance of the Oscar number, I’m Just Ken, from Greta Gerwig’s Barbie, different Ken actors from the movie, such as Liu, Gosling, Scott Evans, and Kingsley Ben-Adir performed on the stage, winning the hearts of the audience once again.
Simu Liu, Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling in Barbie
Later, Liu revealed that he was still in pain when he performed. Although numerous celebrities and even the general audience who witnessed the performance at the Oscars applauded it, the actor has revealed that someone was not too impressed.
Simu Liu Revealed His Oscars Performance of I’m Just Ken Did Not Impress 1 Person
Simu Liu as Ken in Barbie
It is impossible for anyone who has watched the Margot Robbie starrer, Barbie, to be unimpressed. Whether the movie’s premise or the ensemble cast’s performance, the movie excelled in all aspects.
The film’s soundtrack- Barbie the Album- is the icing on the cake. While Dua Lipa’s lead single Dance the Night was a hit with the fans, Ryan Gosling’s I’m Just Ken, written and produced by Mark Ronson, earned significant attention and even a nomination for Best Original Song at the 96th Academy Awards (via Pitchfork). This feat warranted a performance of the song at the awards ceremony.
Simu Liu was a part of the Oscars performance of I’m Just Ken despite his injury. When a fan recently asked him on X how his Achilles tendon was after dancing the night away, he humorously replied (via X):
it feels great! my physio, however, is furious
— Simu Liu (@SimuLiu) March 16, 2024
So, Liu might have impressed millions of people worldwide who were following the Academy Awards from their respective homes, but his physical therapist is far from impressed.
Simu Liu Revealed He Danced with His Achilles Pain
Simu Liu as Ken in I’m Just Ken music video
In October 2023, the Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings star tore his Achilles tendon during a holiday in Miami with his friends. The actor told PEOPLE that he and his 20 friends had basketball and volleyball face-offs planned. While the latter went well, Liu tore his Achilles during the basketball game and had to rush to urgent care.
Despite this, in an interview on Today with Hoda & Jenna the actor claimed that he performed with the pain at the Oscars and it was worth it. He said:
“I’m like four months into recovering from Achilles surgery, but I’m powering through it because I’m like, ‘I feel like this is going to be a historic moment that I never would forgive myself if I wasn’t a part of.”
Although he contemplated his performance and even talked to his therapist, who was not so sure about it, he ultimately decided that he would perform. He also said that the performance came together quickly because of Ryan Gosling’s vision for it.
