Ryan Gosling brought the Kenergy to the 2024 Oscars in a hot-pink suit for his hilariously magnificent performance of “I’m Just Ken,” from Greta Gerwig’s Barbie. The original song was nominated for an Academy Award tonight.
The actor perfectly channeled his Mattel doll character onstage at Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre in the Barbie-pink wool suit custom-made by Gucci and embellished with hand-embroidered crystal drops all over.
Gosling wore the suit over an open collared silk shirt in the same vibrant hue, plus matching custom leather gloves. He finished the look with glossy black dress shoes and accessorized in the most Ken way: with cool black Gucci sunglasses and a black Stetson cowboy hat modified by his stylist, Mark Avery, to match the one he wore in the film, complete with a layer of pink silk inside and an embroidered “Made for Ken” tag.
Onstage, Gosling—who plays Stereotypical Ken in the film—danced in perfect unison with his fellow Kens, who made for a nice contrast in all-black pretty cowboy ensembles. At one point, Guns N’ Roses guitar legend Slash even got up next to him and played! Toward the end of the performance, Gosling descended from the stage and passed the mic on to other members of his Barbie family: Gerwig and costars Margot Robbie and America Ferrera. He also let longtime friend and La La Land costar Emma Stone sing a part—like the real-life Ken he is.
The actor changed into his pink suit after having arrived at the 96th Academy Awards in an elegant black suit, also by Gucci, with shimmery gold touches—plus a pair of Barbie-pink socks.
In a rare move, Gosling brought along his family to the ceremony as his guests. Wife Eva Mendes and their daughters were—unsurprisingly—missing, so the actor walked the red carpet with mom Donna Gosling, sister Mandi Gosling, and stepdad Valerio Attanasio.
Gosling was nominated for Actor in a Supporting Role for his performance as Stereotypical Ken, but the award went to Robert Downey Jr., for his performance as Lewis Strauss in Oppenheimer. Ferrera was also nominated tonight in the female-equivalent category, Actress in a Supporting Role, for her performance as working mom Gloria. That award went to Da’Vine Joy Randolph, who gave an emotional acceptance speech.
Barbie as a whole was up for eight nominations tonight, though none were for main star Margot Robbie, and Gerwig was not nominated for Directing.
Along with Robbie and Ferrera, Gosling addressed those snubs, and even went viral for his passionate statement. “There is no Ken without Barbie, and there is no Barbie movie without Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie, the two people most responsible for this history-making, globally celebrated film,” Gosling said upon learning the news. “No recognition would be possible for anyone on the film without their talent, grit, and genius. To say that I’m disappointed that they are not nominated in their respective categories would be an understatement.”
