Ryan Gosling’s unexpected performance of the song “I’m Just Ken” from the movie Barbie at the 2024 Oscars has become one of the most talked-about moments of the event. Despite his successful performance, the actor initially declined the invitation to perform. In a recent episode of The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Gosling revealed that his first reaction was a firm “no” due to fears of things going wrong.
However, Gosling ultimately wowed audiences at the ceremony in a pink suit and cowboy hat, leading a group of 62 Ken dolls in the rendition of the song. The performance also featured other celebrities and musicians such as Simu Liu, Ncuti Gatwa, and Mark Ronson, among others. The media and social networks were filled with positive reviews following the performance.
Although “I’m Just Ken” did not win the Oscar for Best Original Song, it did take home the award at the Critic’s Choice Awards. The inspiration for Gosling’s portrayal of Ken in the film came from his daughters’ disinterest in Barbie dolls and their involvement in the production. Gosling even took his daughters to the recording studio during the editing of the musical number.
Gosling’s personal connection to the role of Ken stems from his past as a child performer and his desire for approval. He shared that he felt a responsibility not to “ruin” the Barbie movie and pushed himself to exceed his own expectations for the character. Up next, Gosling will host Saturday Night Live for the third time, a role that was influenced by his previous appearances on the show catching the attention of Barbie director Greta Gerwig.