Ryan Gosling would be happy to throw on a mink and re-assume the identity of Ken to perform “I’m Just Ken,” his anthemic ballad from “Barbie,” at the Academy Awards.
But the “Barbie” star has yet to hear from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences about performing at the awards ceremony on March 10, telling Variety that it might be “too much of a risk” to have him perform.
It’s not clear what Gosling means about “risk.” Maybe it has something to do with the ballad being a show-stopping number that would involve lots of moving parts. It ends with a massive “dream ballet,” showing a large cast of Kens battling it out on the beach.
Or maybe Gosling is referring to the possibility that he ruffled some Academy feathers by speaking out about this disappointment that his “Barbie” co-star, Margot Robbie, and director, Greta Gerwig, were not nominated in the signature acting and directing categories.
While Gosling was nominated for best supporting actor, the “snubs” of Robbie and Gerwig in these categories incited uproar among “Barbie” fans, including former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Some fans and critics also said the omissions could be seen as a sign that Hollywood is still a patriarchy that fails to suitably honor the accomplishments of female artists.
In a statement Gosling issued on nominations day, he said he was “extremely honored to be nominated” for portraying “a plastic doll named Ken.” But he also said he was disappointed about Robbie and Gerwig. “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,” his statement read.
This image released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows Ryan Gosling, left, and Margot Robbie in a scene from “Barbie.” (Warner Bros. Pictures via AP)
Still, some fans took consolation in the fact the “Barbie” received eight nominations, including for best picture. As a producer, Robbie also could pick up a trophy if “Barbie” wins best picture, while Gerwig and her husband Noah Baumbach have a shot with a nomination for best adapted screenplay.
“Look, I heavily edited that statement,” Gosling told Variety. “I think if I say any more about it, I’m going to basically put on a mink and start challenging people to a beach-off on Malibu Beach.” Variety noted that Gosling is being “on message” with this particular reference. In “Barbie,” Ken channels his aggression in this way.
While trying not to say more about his statement, Gosling brings up certain themes in Gerwig’s script, Variety writer Ramin Setoodeh said: “The Barbie characters live in a feminist paradise and are shocked when, in the real world, they encounter systemic sexism at every level.”
“In terms of people’s reactions, the film continues to provoke conversation in every incarnation,” Gosling said. “It keeps provoking this dialogue. It’s the power of this movie. I struggle to compare it to anything.”
He continued: “But it’s yet another reason that proves it’s more than a summer blockbuster. It’s a great work of art. That’s what Greta and Margot created.”
Gosling also sighed when Setoodeh suggested a subplot for a new “Barbie” sequel: Ken gets invited to the Oscars, but not Barbie. Setoodeh wrote: “Gosling sighs and stares straight ahead — he’s said all that he wants to about this subject.”
