Simu Liu says Kingsley Ben-Adir refused to get waxed for Barbie

It appears Kingsley Ben-Adir could not muster up the Kenergy to get waxed for Barbie.

Simu Liu shared tales from the Mojo Dojo Casa House during a recent appearance on Jennifer Hudson’s eponymous talk show, revealing that all of the Kens waxed their legs in solidarity for the 2023 blockbuster — all with the exception of one.

“Yes, I did get waxed, and yes, it was very painful for me,” Liu said. “All the Kens got waxed in solidarity except for one, and I think I’m finally comfortable revealing who it is. I don’t want to say his name but it rhymes with Schmingsley. Schmingley Schmed-Aschmir, one of the Kens who refused to wax his legs for the cause.”

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“I thought it was gonna be a solidarity thing and then when he told me he didn’t do it, I was like, ‘Wait, you could choose?'” Liu quipped.

When Hudson asked if Liu would’ve opted out if he knew he had a choice, the actor conceded, “Well, I don’t know,” Liu said. “Because you’re showing up to set everyday with like, Ryan Gosling. I feel like if he shaved his leg, I would want to shave mine. I wanted to match his level.”

From director Greta Gerwig, the hit film starred Margot Robbie as the central doll living in the idyllic Barbie Land. An existential crisis, however, leads Barbie to embark on a journey to the real world, where she discovers some of the perils of living among humans. Ncuti Gatwa, John Cena, and Scott Evans also played variations of Ken, while Issa Rae, Kate McKinnon, and Emma Mackey, among others, played variations of Barbies.

Gosling and his fellow Kens staged a sublime reunion at last year’s Academy Awards, performing an electrifying sing-along of the Ken anthem “I’m Just Ken” — nominated for Best Original Song at the ceremony — with fellow nominees and attendees.

Speaking with Entertainment Weekly ahead of the film’s release, Gosling said he tapped into his child performer roots, including his Mouseketeer past, to fully embody the musical Ken. “At a certain point I thought I had left that kid behind, and I realized that I needed his help to make this movie,” Gosling said. “So I had to go back and make peace with him and ask for his help. It was good for me.”

Watch Liu’s chat with Hudson in full above.