The internet has been buzzing for months with fans begging to see Ryan Gosling reprise his hilarious Barbie role as Ken at next month’s Oscars, performing the hit song ‘I’m Just Ken’ live on the big stage. However, Gosling recently hinted that the long-awaited moment may not actually come to fruition, despite the smash success of both the film and track. In a new interview, Gosling questioned whether the Academy has even asked him to take on a flashy Ken performance amid budget concerns, throwing the much-hyped act into uncertainty.
Will Ryan Gosling’s I’m Just Ken Performance Get Axed From Oscars 2024?
In an interview with Variety, Gosling revealed “I still have not been asked” to take the Oscars stage as his beloved character Ken.
“It might be too much of a risk to have me do it,” he explained. “I don’t know how that would work. But I’m open to it.”
His co-star Margot Robbie tried to quell concerns, telling the outlet that the Barbie crew has been “poking Ryan whenever we can” to perform, encouraging him “’Do it. Come on. It’ll be fun.'” But Ryan Gosling still seemed hesitant, asking what the vision for the act would entail. “It can’t be pared down? Okay. It’s anthemic. So we’ll need a budget,” when a beach fantasy sequence was suggested, he responded frankly.
Should Ken’s Big Oscars Moment Be Shelved?
Gosling’s remarks sparked immediate distress among fans who have been waiting months to see him bring Ken’s signature track to life at the ceremony. The song not only won Best Original Song at the Critics Choice Awards but has generated passionate interest across social media.
After its debut in last summer’s Barbie film, Gosling released three additional renditions, including a holiday version titled ‘I’m Just Ken (Merry Kristmas Barbie).’ Just this month, its writers Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt performed it live with country singer Lainey Wilson filling in the vocals. But fans still feel seeing Gosling himself passionately embody Ken is integral.
Many also see Ken’s Oscars act as a cathartic, full-circle moment for the character after years of watching Barbie – aka Robbie’s character – receive the lion’s share of attention. As Robbie said, seeing Ken’s song highlighted would “make me and the world so happy.”
What Are The Odds The Performance Could Still Happen?
While the future of ‘I’m Just Ken’ at the Oscars seems less certain, there are still reasons to hold out hope. Given the film’s $335 million gross and status as a cultural phenomenon, the Academy has ample incentive to ensure Barbie makes a splash at the ceremony through a show-stopping musical number.
Gosling also remains “open” to performing, so long as issues around budget and vision can be resolved. And with stars like Robbie and the public at large enthusiastically cheering the concept on, there will likely be immense pressure on producers to make it happen.
Of course, Gosling himself holds the ultimate card in determining Ken’s Oscar’s fate. But fans continue flooding social media with pleas for their dream Ken performance to come true. And Gosling may find resisting that Kenergy impossible if he catches wind of just how much this opportunity would mean for his devotees worldwide.
