Ryan Gosling expressed more than mere disappointment when Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie were snubbed for the Best Director and Best Actress Oscars for Barbie. Interestingly, Gosling was nominated in the category of Best Supporting Actor, and the song he performed in the film, I’m Just Ken, also earned a nomination for Best Original Song. However, the song may not be performed at the Oscars ceremony if Gosling decides not to do it.
This decision came from the song’s co-writer Mark Ronson, who also shared that he would be excited if Gosling were willing to perform. Besides I’m Just Ken, the song What Was I Made For? by Billie Eilish and FINNEAS was also nominated for Best Original Song from the film.
Ryan Gosling May Not Perform At Oscars Out Of Respect For Greta Gerwig And Margot Robbie
Ryan Gosling‘s rendition of I’m Just Ken from Barbie has been a popular number during this award season. Nominated for all the major awards including Grammys and Oscars, the song has already won the Critics Choice Award for Best Song. When the co-writer of the song, Mark Ronson, appeared on the 2024 Grammys red carpet, Variety asked him whether Gosling would perform the song at the Oscars ceremony.
Ronson is enthusiastic about the idea and shared with the news outlet that it has been his dream for the Blade Runner 2049 actor to perform the song at the ceremony. However, Ronson made it clear that if Gosling is not interested in doing it, the song will not be performed at the event. The Uptown Funk producer shared with Variety:
“That would be great. Did he confirm to you? I want to know… it’s my dream! It’s my dream. […] I think if Ryan doesn’t do it then we’re not doing it.”
However, fans had a different view on the subject. Gosling had shared his disappointment for Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie being overlooked for major awards. He released a statement after his Oscar nomination, stating, “There is no ‘Barbie’ movie without Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie,” and added, “To say that I’m disappointed that they are not nominated in their respective categories would be an understatement.” (via Variety)
Fans on X speculated that he might choose not to perform at the Oscars as a form of support for Gerwig and Robbie. Many expressed disappointment over the potential absence of Gosling’s performance, but they shared their support for whatever decision he makes. Fan reactions read:
I guess he is showing his support cus Margot Robbie and Greta Gerwig were snubbed
— Chombe (@Chombe1080) February 5, 2024
I don’t think he will out of respect for Margo and Greta
— RealHumanBean21 (@Porkawoshka) February 5, 2024
This sucks. I was looking forward to the possibility of him performing this song
— ReelTalker (@TalkerReel92) February 5, 2024
I will be devastated, but I just want him to be happy
— Victoria Vass (@ToriVass) February 5, 2024
I want to see it but I don’t want to see it if it isn’t him so that okay.
We all remember what happened with the performance of City of Stars right? Damn near though it would change the vote lmao
— George Rinyu Jr. (@george_rinyu_jr) February 5, 2024
Fair enough! Ryan is a great guy… pic.twitter.com/P9xxVp8F7G
— Azza 😈🇦🇺 (@Azzaroos) February 5, 2024
While fans largely speculate the Barbie snub could influence Gosling’s decision to perform the song, there’s also another big reason why he might choose not to do it. Despite receiving an Oscar nomination, Gosling still believes that he’s a subpar singer.
Ryan Gosling Isn’t Confident About His Singing Skills
Ryan Gosling’s facial expression when I’m Just Ken won the Best Song at the Critics Choice Awards has now turned into a meme. Gosling never expected the song to become such a big hit. When he agreed to do Barbie, he approached Gerwig with a small condition that he should be allowed to dance in the film. However, when Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt approached him to sing, he initially refused citing that the song was out of his vocal range.
He eventually channeled his inner Ken and sang a catchy number that audiences instantly loved. When the idea of him performing the song live at the Oscars was presented to him even before the nominations, Ryan Gosling started playing coy. He shared with W Magazine:
“Well, I haven’t been invited. And I wasn’t thinking about it until now, and now it’s all I’m going to think about. Do you get paid to sing at the Oscars? Do you have to drive yourself? What kind of scratch is involved? They pick you up at least, right?”
Interestingly, Gosling should not be worried about performing live as he is a member of the band Dead Man’s Bones. I’m Just Ken lost to the other Barbie song, Billie Eilish‘s What Was I Made For?, at the 66th Grammy Awards in the Best Song Written for Visual Media category.
Barbie is now available for streaming on Max.
