Simu Liu ‘Absolutely Gutted’ After ‘Health Scares’ Force Him to Drop Out of Disney World's Candlelight Processional
The 'Barbie' actor was originally scheduled to narrate the holiday event
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
Simu Liu at the 2023 GQ Men of the Year at Bar Marmont on November 16, 2023Simu Liu is no longer part of Disney World’s 2023 Candlelight Processional.
On Thursday, the 34-year-old Barbie actor released a statement on his Instagram story to say he was “absolutely gutted” to have to step down following “health scares.”
“For those who were looking forward to seeing me, know that I was equally looking forward to be a part of your holidays,” Liu wrote. “The health of myself and my family are of paramount importance to me,” he said, adding that his "health scares" had forced him to make the “decision to stay home.”
He then hinted that he may be back next year, concluding his post with, “Let’s all keep fingers crossed for 2024!”
Simu Liu Instagram
Simu Liu wrote a statement on his Instagram story on ThursdayThe Candlelight Processional — which retells the Christmas story with a celebrity narrator, orchestra and the Voices of Liberty choir — was scheduled to be narrated by Liu from Nov. 30 through Dec. 2.
Singer-songwriter Bart Millard stepped into the role.
“Got the last minute call yesterday to fly to Orlando to narrate the Epcot Candlelight processional tonight, Friday and Saturday,” Millard, 51, wrote on Instagram. “ You don’t have to ask me twice to come tell the story of the birth of Jesus!!!!”
Other stars who are set to narrate the Candlelight Processional at Epcot this year include John Stamos, How I Met Your Mother alum Neil Patrick Harris, Eva Longoria and This Is Us star Sterling K. Brown.
Liu's disappointment comes after the star revealed he tore his Achilles tendon in October by sharing snaps of himself in crutches.
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Simu Liu at 2023 GQ Men of the Year at Bar Marmont on November 16, 2023 in Los Angeles, CaliforniaAnd in November, the Marvel star opened up to PEOPLE about his accident.
Related: Simu Liu Says He's Always Had 'an Aspiration' to Appear on Broadway: 'I Want to Do It' (Exclusive)
"Basically, I had this crazy idea to bring 20 of my friends to Miami — half from my Canadian side and half from the American side, and to pit them against each other in an Olympic-style tournament of sports."
"All of a sudden I feel like someone has either shot me or kicked my shin out from underneath me or just barreled into me," he added as he described the moment he realized he'd hurt himself.
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