While Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer may have won the most awards, Ryan Gosling’s performance of ‘I’m Just Ken’ from Barbie stole the Oscars earlier today. Clad in a glittering pink suit, Gosling’s solo performance of his Oscar-nominated song received a standing ovation and made the entire auditorium stand up and sing.
Apart from a surprise guitar solo by Slash from Guns N’ Roses and Wolfgang Van Halen from Van Halen, fans picked out one more detail from Gosling’s soon-to-be legendary performance. The pink suit worn by Ryan Gosling as well as the background dancers’ tuxedo with pink stripes was a direct reference to Marilyn Monroe’s iconic costume from the song ‘Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend’.
Ryan Gosling’s Barbie-esque Tribute To Marilyn Monroe
Despite Margot Robbie’s performance in Barbie getting universal acclaim from critics and audiences, the Oscars seemed to have loved Ryan Gosling’s performance as Ken. The actor received a Best Supporting Actor nomination at this year’s Academy Awards and his original ‘I’m Just Ken’ was nominated for Best Original Song.
While Billie Eilish’s ‘What Was I Made For’ from Barbie won the award instead, Ryan Gosling’s performance of ‘I’m Just Ken’ seemed to be the highlight of the ceremony. The actor began his performance from within the crowd as he wore an Oppenheimer-inspired hat. He then went on stage to perform the hit single along with 65 other ‘Kens’, which included Barbie stars Simu Liu, Kingsley Ben-Adir, and Ncuti Gatwa (via The Guardian).
Gosling was also joined by composer Mark Ronson on bass and featured a surprise appearance by Slash from the rock band Guns N’ Roses. Slash performed a rocking solo for the song while Val Halen’s Wolfgang Van Halen joined with a guitar. The performance received a standing ovation from the audience at the ceremony.
The performance was also noted for its tribute to legendary star Marilyn Monroe’s iconic musical sequence from the film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Gosling’s glittery pink suit with the other Kens’ tux with pink stripes was a direct reference to Monroe’s pink dress and diamonds in the song ‘Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend’.
Marilyn Monroe’s Legacy In Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend
Legendary actress Marilyn Monroe wore the iconic pink dress in the film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes in the song ‘Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend’. The pink dress was reportedly designed by Billy Travilla, who had dressed Monroe in many of her films. The dress was reportedly a last-minute design as the actress was supposed to be wearing something else in the film (via Marilyn Monroe: A Life on Film).
Monroe’s song in the film has been an irreplaceable part of pop culture and has been imitated, parodied, and referenced multiple times over the years. Pop star Madonna famously filmed an iteration of the dress with a dance number for her song ‘Material Girl’. An episode in the show Gossip Girl also reportedly featured a sequence where Blake Lively’s character imagines herself in the dress surrounded by her suitors wearing similar costumes.
Ryan Gosling’s Barbie co-star Margot Robbie also performed an iteration of the song with an iconic pink dress in the music video for Megan Thee Stallion’s and Normani’s ‘Diamonds’. The song was part of her film Birds of Prey and reportedly also features a sample from Marilyn Monroe’s iconic song.
