Despite Ryan Gosling’s Initial Dismay, I’m Just Ken Might Not See the Stage of the Oscars Because of Him
Barbie star Ryan Gosling is playing coy about whether he’ll perform his viral song I’m Just Ken live at next month’s Academy Awards. While fans eagerly await an iconic moment with Gosling back in his blonde Ken wig, the fate of an Oscars act remains uncertain.
Gosling brought Ken doll to life in the box office hit Barbie, infusing the plastic playboy with hilarious self-awareness. His viral serenade I’m Just Ken captured that essence through clever songwriting. Now fans eagerly await whether Gosling will recreate his pink power ballad act at the 2024 Oscars.
What Did Ryan Gosling Say About Singing at the Oscars?
In a recent interview, Ryan Gosling joked that an Oscars invite to sing I’m Just Ken would consume his thoughts.
“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,” he told W Magazine.
But Gosling stopped short of confirming his participation should the song get an Oscar nod for Best Original Song. Producers would surely want the film’s leading man to reprise his hilarious vocal performance.
Ironically, Gosling initially dreaded singing in Barbie. He called taking on the role of Ken “the hardest part I’ll ever play” with no reference for how to approach it.
Yet his self-deprecating song, featuring lyrics like “A plastic smile is all I own,” exceeded expectations. It landed on the Billboard charts and earned a Grammy nomination for its cheeky send-up of Ken’s superficiality.
Gosling even leaned into the song’s success, releasing new Christmas and acoustic versions to boost its Oscar chances. So an invitation to sing it at Hollywood’s biggest night could be irresistible.
What Other Barbie Songs Are Oscar-Nominated?
Along with the title track, two other Barbie tunes made the Oscars shortlist for Best Original Song:
–What Was I Made For? performed by Billie Eilish
–Dance the Night performed by Dua Lipa
I’m Just Ken has stiff competition, including a 2024 Grammy winner. But it remains the film’s signature song and fans’ favorite for an Oscar performance.
According to the song’s producer, Mark Ronson, there’s zero chance of a substitute Ken taking the Oscars stage.
“No. I think if Ryan doesn’t do it then we’re not doing it,” Ronson confirmed.
Seeing anyone besides the lead actor croon “I’m just a doll, ha-ha” in that feathery pink vest would disappoint the expectations of fans awaiting a sequel to Gosling’s memorable Dollywood concert act last year.
Does Barbie Have a Shot at Best Picture?
While Gosling contemplates performing its viral ditty, Barbie is also eyeing the night’s biggest prize: Best Picture. The film made the Oscar shortlist for the top category, as did Gosling for Best Supporting Actor.
Given the movie’s critical and commercial smash success, Ken and Barbie could grace the Oscars stage multiple times before the night ends.
Also Read: “That was a really tough one”: Robert Downey Jr. Agrees With Ryan Gosling After Oscar Controversy
While the actor plays coy on participating should the tune earn a Best Original Song nomination, expectations are sky-high for him to embrace the cheeky tune that made Ken even more iconic.
