Ryan Gosling is nominated for best-supporting actor this year, and while in character as Ken in a promo for the Oscars with Jimmy Kimmel, he shrugged it off and said he probably won't win. In all fairness, Gosling is up against some steep competition. Fellow nominee Robert Downey Jr. has been raking in nominations this season.
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 12: Cast and filmmakers light up London pink to celebrate the European Premiere of Barbie, in cinemas 21 July. At London Eye on July 12, 2023 in London, England.
"I'm Just Ken," written by Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt, still has a chance to score an accolade, commented The Associated Press.
"Barbie" song, Eilish and Finneas's soulful "What Was I Made For" seems to be the clear awards favorite to date, having already won a Grammy.
But the Ken ballad is the one everyone is anxious to see on the Oscars telecast. This will mark Gosling's first time performing at the coveted awards show.
Before the Oscar nominations came out in January, Gosling was asked if he would perform his character's song at the Academy Awards.
"I wasn't thinking about it until now, and now it's all I'm going to think about," he told W Magazine with a smile. "... Do you get paid for that? What do you get paid to sing at the Oscars? ... They pick you up at least, right? Do you have to self-drive?"
The Irony
When nominations were initially revealed without mentions for 'Barbie' co-star Margot Robbie in the best actress category or for Greta Gerwig for best director, Gosling spoke out against the Academy's decision.
"There is no Ken without Barbie, and there is no Barbie movie without Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie, the two people most responsible for this history-making, globally celebrated film," he said in a statement. "... To say that I'm disappointed that they are not nominated in their respective categories would be an understatement."
The Associated Press called Gerwig's Oscar snub "one of the biggest shocks in recent memory." The omissions of both women generated a flood of rightful outrage on the internet and other colleagues.
NBC News published some notable standouts from online posters.
"Ken getting nominated and not Barbie is honestly so fitting for a film about a man discovering the power of patriarchy in the Real World," one X user wrote.
"Wait, Ryan Gosling got nominated for his role as Ken, but Margot Robbie didn't get nominated for Barbie?! And Greta got snubbed for Best Director?!?! Way to justify the literal plot of the movie," another said.
Actor John Stamos also voiced his disapproval in a TikTok, where he used a soundbite from the film to applaud the movie and simultaneously call out the Academy. His caption recommended for people to re-watch the film.
"This movie not only resonated deeply, but also grossed OVER a billion dollars," he wrote in the caption. "Yet, in a twist of irony, both women were snubbed by the Academy."
