Entertainment TV 'Shang-Chi' Star Simu Liu Recalls Dressing Up as Spider-Man for Kids' Birthday Parties in 'SNL' Debut The Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings star hosted this week's episode of Saturday Night Live with first-time musical guest Saweetie By Glenn Garner Glenn Garner Instagram Twitter Glenn Garner is a Writer/Reporter who works heavily with PEOPLE's Movies and TV verticals. Since graduating from Northern Arizona University with a dual major in journalism and photography, he got his professional start at OUT Magazine, The Advocate and Teen Vogue, and he's since consistently kept his finger on the pulse of the LGBTQ community. His first book The Guncle Guide was released in 2020 and was featured on Katie Couric's list of 100 recommended books of the year. People Editorial Guidelines and Gabrielle Duncan Gabrielle Duncan Associate Weekend/Evenings Editor, PEOPLE People Editorial Guidelines Published on November 21, 2021 12:07 AM Share Tweet Pin Email Simu Liu has made his Saturday Night Live debut! The Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings star, 32, hosted this week's episode of the sketch comedy show for the first time with musical guest Saweetie. In his opening monologue, Liu shared gratitude for his successful year as he recalled how he landed his breakout role in the Marvel blockbuster. "Back in 2014, and this is a true story, I tweeted, 'Hey, Marvel, great job with Captain America and Thor. Now, how about an Asian superhero?' And at the time, I think the tweet got like 10 likes, which was like 10 more than I usually got," he joked. "But I worked hard and five years later, Marvel did make their first Asian superhero movie, and after I got the part, I went online and tweeted, 'Thanks for getting back to me.'" Saturday Night Live/YouTube Shang-Chi's Simu Liu Says Marvel Movie Is 'a Celebration of Asianness': 'I Feel Very Privileged' The actor also reflected on his past gig dressing up for children's parties as another popular superhero: Spider-Man! "I really can't believe my life right now because 10 years ago I actually had a job dressing up as Spider-Man for kids' birthday parties, which meant parents would pay me to entertain their kids while they were day drinking," Liu explained. "I'll never forget this one birthday boy's name was Trevor, and I don't want to say anything bad about him, but let's just say he was a real Trevor," he continued. "He kept kicking my shins and screaming, 'You're not Spider-Man! You're not Spider-Man!' And look, I don't know if you've ever been kicked by a 7-year-old wearing a $30 Walmart Spider-Man suit, but it will break you. It will break your spirit." Shang-Chi's Simu Liu Says Marvel Movie Is 'a Celebration of Asianness': 'I Feel Very Privileged' He added: "But it also lit a fire under me. And I don't know where he is now, but Trevor, if you're watching, I just want to say, you were right. I'm not Spider-Man. I'm Shang-Chi, bitch!" Ahead of the hosting gig, Liu shared a photo of himself at a table read with the SNL cast and crew. "JUST SMILE TO HIDE THE CRIPPLING ANXIETY OF KNOWING YOU'RE GONNA HOST SNL IN THREE DAYS," he captioned the photo. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free weekly newsletter to get the biggest news of the week delivered to your inbox every Friday. Paul Rudd and Billie Eilish Will Host December Episodes of Saturday Night Live The Chinese-Canadian actor has been having a busy year after making his big screen debut in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings — Marvel's first film with an Asian lead and predominantly Asian cast. "I'm excited, and I think for all of the good and the bad of what's to come, it's definitely a journey that I feel very privileged to be going on," he told PEOPLE in May. "I know how much it would've meant to kids, and to myself as a kid, seeing this when I was younger. I totally understand the importance of it," Liu added. "I know that it's not going to be easy, but at the same time, I feel so incredibly excited to be a part of this movement that gets to push society forward." Saturday Night Live airs Saturdays at 8:30 p.m. PT/11:30 p.m. ET on NBC.