Ryan Gosling just delivered an epic performance of ‘I’m Just Ken’ from Greta Gerwig’s Barbie at the Academy Awards, and it was a stunning homage to Marilyn Monroe’s ‘Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend’ from Howard Hawks’ 1953 movie Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.
The Oscar nominee was clad in a sparkling pink suit and was joined on stage by dancers wearing cowboy hats and black tuxedos. He commenced the act seated among the audience before he walked to the stage to give a full-blast show. The track was also nominated for Oscars’ Best Original Song.
Ryan Gosling Electrifies The Oscars With A Marilyn Monroe-Inspired Performance
Before Ryan Gosling’s ‘I’m Just Ken’ received the Oscar nomination, the actor previously joked about performing it live at the event. In a bizarre twist of fate, it finally happened, and he seemed to have been preparing for it for quite some time now. He told 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?”
Mark Ronson, soundtrack producer and co-writer of ‘I’m Just Ken’, had initial doubts about the song. In fact, it was almost removed from the movie’s final cut, but he revealed to The Times how director Greta Gerwig fought for and insisted on keeping it.
“I thought, ‘God, I hope we don’t ruin it.’ At that first screening, the song wasn’t working. I panicked. The humor wasn’t translating, and Greta [Gerwig] had to fight. The studio asked her how much she really needed it and she said, ‘With every inch of my body.’ And then there was a big swing.”
Although Gosling is not a full-time singer, he is no stranger to musicals. Apart from his Best Actor nomination for 2016’s La La Land, his duet with Emma Stone, City of Stars, won Best Original Song at the 89th Academy Awards.
His recent show at the Oscars was definitely reminiscent of Marilyn Monroe’s ‘Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend’ performance, from their hot pink costumes down to the backup dancers’ ensembles.
Fans Cheer For Ryan Gosling’s Oscar Musical Show
Ryan Gosling’s performance was lauded by fans, and its association with Marilyn Monroe sparked memories of the late brilliant actress. Some suggested that the Barbie actor must do more comedy musicals while others simply appreciated the comparison. Check out their reactions below:
Surprised they didn't make him wear a dress.
— Rob Dixon (@therealrobdixon) March 11, 2024
I was wondering how close those suits were to “Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend”
Thank you for posting the side by side.
Bit of an homage ❤️
— Mother of Huskies (@NorthernLife23) March 11, 2024
Ryan Gosling really needs to do more comedy/musicals. He's so good at it.
— Crow (@Adorabolical83) March 11, 2024
literal cinematic parallels of pop culture HISTORY!
— Qtee Foxx (Top 0.5% OF)🦊🇸🇪 (@QteeFoxx) March 11, 2024
Ryan deserved the Oscar! 🏆💗🎶🕺🏼
— Kathy Mintz (@KatrinaTennis) March 11, 2024
I KNEW IT REMINDED ME OF SOMETHING MARILYN MONROE
— hatred and malice incarnate (@iSickle_) March 11, 2024
Indeed, this year’s Oscars has been filled with delightful and memorable moments that will positively go down in history, one of which is Gosling’s incredible Barbie-themed performance of ‘I’m Just Ken’.
Margot Robbie’s Barbie received eight Oscar nominations, only winning Best Original Song for Billie Eilish’s ‘What Was I Made For?’ Although the Oscar snub of Robbie and Greta Gerwig was scrutinized by fans, the duo believed the box office success and the cultural impact were the real awards.
Barbie is now available to stream on Max.
