Actor Simu Liu appears to have inserted himself into the growing backlash against Pedro Pascal, notably his overly affectionate behavior with co-star Vanessa Kirby during the Fantastic Four: First Steps press tour.
Liu, best known for his role in the Marvel film Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, took to X, seemingly to dismiss the criticism as “manufactured hate,” claiming it’s simply because Pascal (presumably) is in the spotlight for a contractually obligated promotional run.
A Simu Liu post on X that many attributed to be about criticism leveled at Pedro Pascal – X, @SimuLiu
Liu never directly mentioned Pascal in the post, but X users certainly took it that way as they lined up to respond to the Marvel star directly and in droves.
The Current Controversy: Pascal’s “Touchy” Press Tour
Drama has erupted during the press tour for Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps, where Pascal, who plays Reed Richards, was seen getting unusually handsy with co-star Vanessa Kirby, who portrays Sue Storm.
oh to be pedro pascal and constantly have my neck caressed by vanessa kirby pic.twitter.com/D4iMjYswgy
— sue storm brainrot (@bluntemly) July 24, 2025
Clips from interviews show the two stars constantly touching one another, from Kirby stroking Pedro’s neck and face to the Mandalorian star holding her hand tightly, and engaging in what many describe as overly intimate physical contact. This is despite Kirby being engaged to lacrosse player Paul Rabil and reportedly pregnant with his child.
Fans and commentators alike have expressed confusion and outrage, questioning why such behavior is deemed acceptable in a professional setting. Defenders point to their on-screen chemistry, insisting the touches are mutual and promotional for their on-screen marriage.
Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby – YouTube, omeleteve
One viral clip captures Kirby holding Pascal’s hand while praising “some of the best men in the world,” but the optics are rubbing many the wrong way.
Some claim that Pascal seems to rely on her as an “emotional support actress.” Critics argue this isn’t just friendly camaraderie—it’s unprofessional and borders on inappropriate, particularly given Kirby’s personal circumstances.
As one outlet put it, the pair’s interactions have left fans “confused” and asking, “Why are they so touchy?”
Pedro Pascal at Star Wars Celebration – YouTube, Star Wars
This isn’t isolated; similar moments with other co-stars have fueled accusations that Pascal uses physical touch to manage his anxiety, turning public events into personal therapy sessions at others’ expense. The backlash has been swift, with memes branding Pascal’s habits as “creepy” and sparking debates over whether he’s overstepped boundaries.
Enter Simu Liu, who posted on X: “manufactured hate for someone simply because they’re experiencing a moment of extreme visibility (ie a press tour they’re contractually obligated to do) is really f*****g boring.”
Again, while Liu never directly mentioned Pascal, X users certainly made the connection in their responses to him.
Paul Mescal as Lucius and Pedro Pascal as Marcus Acacius in Gladiator II (2024), Paramount Pictures
This defense reeks of Hollywood insularity—dismissing fan concerns as “boring” while ignoring how such behavior would be scrutinized if it involved less famous figures (or seemingly anyone in Hollywood who wasn’t named Pedro Pascal). Liu’s intervention only amplified the scrutiny, drawing more eyes to Pascal’s antics and exposing both actors’ histories of controversy.
Pedro Pascal’s Checkered Past: From Political Provocations to “Daddy”
Pascal’s current scandal isn’t his first brush with public ire. The Chilean-American actor has a track record of divisive actions that highlight Hollywood’s selective accountability.
In 2020, he sparked outrage with several social media posts comparing right wing Americans with brutal European regimes of the past.
A post shared by Pedro Pascal around the time Gina Carano was fired. Pascal suffered no blowback or consequences for it – Instagram
This political activism continued, with Pascal facing accusations of double standards at Disney. While co-stars like Gina Carano were fired for conservative views, Pascal’s left-leaning posts—often inflammatory—went unpunished, positioning him as a “poster child” for biased treatment.
Adding to the unease, Pascal has been at the center of an online frenzy, where fans and media dubbed him “Daddy” after a viral video where he “jokingly” embraced the term.
Pedro Pascal at the Cannes Film Festival – Photo Credit: Gabriel Hutchinson Photography, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
What started as lighthearted has morphed into what many describe as a creepy cultural phenomenon, objectifying him in ways that blur professional boundaries. His vocal support for the gender politics has also drawn controversy, with some criticizing his comments on figures like Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, an abuse survivor who he called a bully and a “heinous loser.”
Now, with the press tour fallout, allegations of using anxiety as an excuse for inappropriate touch have resurfaced.
Simu Liu’s Own Baggage: The Bubble Tea Fiasco and Cultural Gatekeeping
Liu’s seeming defense of Pascal is particularly galling given his own history of stirring unnecessary drama.
In October 2024, while guest-judging on Canada’s Dragons’ Den (the equivalent of Shark Tank), Liu accused a Quebec-based boba tea company, Bobba, of cultural appropriation.
Simu Liu, Toronto actor on Dragon’s Den (basically the Canadian version of Shark Tank) SLAMMED a white owned business on national television because they had their own version of boba tea. pic.twitter.com/IRXfOllVCN
— Haus of d’Amoré (@AmoreHaus) October 19, 2024
The entrepreneurs pitched their “better-for-you” ready-to-drink boba as a “transformation” of the traditional Taiwanese drink, but Liu lambasted them. He called it “cultural appropriation,” sparking a backlash dubbed “Bobagate” that forced the company to apologize and rebrand amid a swell of online harassment.
Shang-Chi (Simu Liu) in Marvel Studios‘ SHANG-CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS. Photo by Jasin Boland. ©Marvel Studios 2021. All Rights Reserved.
Critics slammed Liu for supposed hypocrisy. As a Chinese-Canadian actor, Liu made his mark on Hollywood playing a Korean in the show Kim’s Convenience, so he’s no stranger to cultural blending. Yet he gatekeeps boba, a drink already globalized and adapted worldwide.
The incident highlighted Liu’s tendency to weaponize identity politics for clout, much like his current dismissal of Pascal’s critics as “manufactured.”
X Users Roast Liu and Pascal
The online response to Liu’s post has been brutal, with users associating the actor’s words with Pascal and calling out both actors’ pretensions.
Here are some standout reactions.
Simu, you did it!
You solved the problem.
I’m sure no one is going to talk about it anymore.
This certainly won’t draw even MORE eyes to the situation.Good job, champ!
— Fake Wizard (@RealLifeFakeWiz) July 26, 2025
@RealLifeFakeWiz quipped: “Simu, you did it! You solved the problem. I’m sure no one is going to talk about it anymore. This certainly won’t draw even MORE eyes to the situation. Good job, champ!”
Mid-looking asian male feminist pissed no one is paying attention to him so he’s all in on Pedro’s groping of women 🙄 https://t.co/WkNnlbxZfJ
— La Reina🇺🇸Creole🇩🇴🇯🇲🇵🇷🇹🇹🇨🇺🇭🇹🇲🇽🇨🇴 (@LaReinaCreole) July 27, 2025
@LaReinaCreole didn’t hold back: “Mid-looking asian male feminist pissed no one is paying attention to him so he’s all in on Pedro’s groping of women 🙄”
It’s called ‘professionalism,’ and it was no where to be found. Maybe carry a fidget toy in your pocket instead of an emotional support actress
— Steph Anie (@mynerdyhome) July 26, 2025
@mynerdyhome emphasized professionalism: “It’s called ‘professionalism,’ and it was no where to be found. Maybe carry a fidget toy in your pocket instead of an emotional support actress.”
How’s that Boba Tea 🧋
— Jay D3PO 🏴☠️ (@Drunk3po) July 26, 2025
@Drunk3po referenced Liu’s past: “How’s that Boba Tea 🧋”
I kinda agree… IF he ever did this around men.. But I never see him grab them
— 🕯️🇺🇸 Lauren Masters (@SarahKWilliam2) July 27, 2025
@SarahKWilliam2 noted the gender disparity: “I kinda agree… IF he ever did this around men.. But I never see him grab them.”
It’s not manufactured if everyone is having the same genuine reaction guy
— Kaida 🌊 (@khaliltooshort) July 26, 2025
@khaliltooshort countered Liu’s narrative: “It’s not manufactured if everyone is having the same genuine reaction guy.”
These responses capture the widespread frustration: Liu’s intervention isn’t defending a friend—it’s exposing Hollywood’s echo chamber, where stars like him and Pascal expect immunity from criticism.
Time for Accountability in Tinseltown
Simu Liu and his supposed weigh-in on these Pedro Pascal controversies does little more than highlight their shared flaws—unprofessionalism, selective activism, and a disregard for public sentiment.
Pedro Pascal on SNL – YouTube, Saturday Night Live
While Pascal grabs his way through press tours under the guise of anxiety management, Liu plays cultural watchdog when it suits him. Both actors embody what’s wrong with modern Hollywood: entitlement masked as vulnerability. If this “manufactured hate” is boring, perhaps they should try being less controversial.
Until then, the backlash is well-earned and far from over.
How do you feel about Simu Liu seemingly defending Pedro Pascal? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
This is why Disney Marvel is a dead brand, including Avengers. There are a lot of humble fellas like me, out there, who are maybe most of the natural fan base of sci-fi comic movies, who boycott everything woke. Stubbornly. And ticket prices are so high, now that woke, brainwashed kids are priced out of cinemas. The cost of living isn’t going down, and they all have CC debt.
I still laugh at the “anxiety” excuse. I have anxiety and touching others is the LAST thing I want to do. Pascal is not only a pervert and a freak, he’s a liar trying to use the suffering of others to justify his own creepy behavior.