Ryan Gosling Rocks the Oscars Stage with Energetic ‘I’m Just Ken’ Performance
Ryan Gosling dazzled the audience at the 96th Annual Academy Awards with his electrifying performance of “I’m Just Ken” from the movie “Barbie.” The Canadian actor, known for his versatility, took the stage alongside fellow Kens from the film, including Simu Liu, Kingsley Ben-Adir, and Ncuti Gatwa. Their coordinated suits with tails and top hats added a touch of whimsy to the spectacle. But that’s not all—guitar legend Slash appeared surprised during the performance, adding an extra layer of rock ‘n’ roll flair.
The actor, 43, dressed in a hot pink suit and black cowboy hat, kicked off his performance of the Oscar-nominated song “I’m Just Ken” from the audience, where his Barbie costar Margot Robbie couldn’t contain her laughter as he sang directly to her.
On stage, he was joined by Mark Ronson and a group of men dressed in suits and cowboy hats including his fellow Kens Scott Evans, Simu Liu, Kingsley Ben Adir and Ncuti Gatwa.
After being surrounded by large cartoon Barbie heads and being carried by the Kens, Gosling was joined by Slash and Wolfgang Van Halen to end the epic performance. He then returned to the audience where the crowd, including his Barbie costar America Ferrera and director Greta Gerwig, sang along to the iconic number.
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“I’m Just Ken,” written by Ronson and Andrew Wyatt, is one of Barbie’s two nominations in the Best Original Song category, alongside Billie Eilish and Finneas’ “What Was I Made For?”
The tracks are up against “The Fire Inside” from Flamin’ Hot, “It Never Went Away” from American Symphony and “Wahzhazhe (A Song For My People)” from Killers of the Flower Moon.
Gosling has been enjoying the walk-up to the Oscars, even appearing with his Barbie co-stars America Ferrera and Kate McKinnon in a hilarious Oscars 2024 TV promo.
Although Gosling doesn’t receive credit if the song wins — that honor goes to Ronson and Wyatt — the Barbie star was recognized in the Best Supporting Actor category for his performance as Ken (the award ultimately went to Oppenheimer’s Robert Downey Jr.). His nod for the box-office hit marks his third at the Academy Awards, with the last coming in 2016 for the musical La La Land.
“I’m Just Ken” won best original song at this year’s Critics Choice Awards, eliciting a confused expression from Gosling that went viral on social media. During Ronson and Wyatt’s acceptance speech, the duo gave the actor a shoutout for his “matchless performance.”
Ryan Gosling Rocks the Oscars 2024
Here are the highlights of Gosling’s show-stopping moment:
Gosling’s Entrance: Decked out in a hot pink, bedazzled suit and matching leather gloves, Gosling kicked off the performance from his seat in the audience, right behind co-star Margot Robbie.
Barbie Co-Stars Join In: As the song unfolded, the other Kens from the “Barbie” film joined Gosling on stage. They harmonized, danced, and brought the catchy tune to life.
A Star-Studded Affair: Not only did Emma Stone, America Ferrera, and Greta Gerwig sing along with their Barbie co-star, but they also added their voices to the mix when Gosling ventured into the audience.
Oscar Nominees Unite: Gosling and Mark Ronson, who co-wrote the hit, shared the stage. Ronson is no stranger to musical success, having produced Dua Lipa’s chart-topping track “Dance the Night.”
Other Performers: The 2024 Oscars featured an array of talented artists. Jon Batiste, Becky G, Billie Eilish, Finneas O’Connell, and Scott George and the Osage Singers all graced the stage. Each of them had been nominated for the Best Song category.
Greta Gerwig’s Film: The song nominations for the Greta Gerwig-directed film “Barbie” contributed to its eight nods for the night. These included categories such as Best Picture, Supporting Actress (America Ferrera), Supporting Actor (Ryan Gosling), and more.
Dua Lipa’s Missed Opportunity: Although Dua Lipa’s “Dance the Night” from the box office sensation was shortlisted, it didn’t receive a nod. The Film Academy allows only two songs from one film to be recognized in the Best Original Song category.
On a night filled with glitz, glamour, and memorable performances, Ryan Gosling’s rendition of “I’m Just Ken” stood out as a delightful and unexpected treat for viewers worldwide.
