Ryan Gosling’s reaction to ‘Barbie’ Oscars snubs is peak ‘Kenergy’

Ryan Gosling and his character Ken aren’t so different. They’re both ruggedly handsome. They’re both massive goofballs. And above all else, they’re fiercely protective of their leading ladies.

That was the case when Gosling was nominated for the Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Barbie — though notably, the film’s star Margot Robbie was snubbed for Best Actress in a Leading Role, and its director Greta Gerwig didn’t get a nod for Best Director. Fans couldn’t help but clock the irony: for a movie all about feminism, a man is receiving the most accolades.

Of course, Gosling was on the same wavelength. He released a statement addressing both his own nomination and the snubs, writing, “I am extremely honored to be nominated by my colleagues alongside such remarkable artists in a year of so many great films. And I never thought I’d be saying this, but I’m also incredibly honored and proud that it’s for portraying a plastic doll named Ken.”

“But 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,” he continued. “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.”

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“Against all odds with nothing but a couple of soulless, scantily clad, and thankfully crotchless dolls, they made us laugh, they broke our hearts, they pushed the culture and they made history,” Gosling went on. “Their work should be recognized along with the other very deserving nominees.”

Of course, Barbie didn’t walk away from the nomination ceremony empty-handed. Beyond Gosling’s nomination, Barbie earned another seven nominations: Best Picture, Best Actress in a Supporting Role (for America Ferrera), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Costume Design, Best Production Design, and two nominations for Best Original Song (for Gosling’s “I’m Just Ken” and Billie Eilish’s “What Was I Made For?”).

Those noms mean that Gerwig and Robbie were, in fact, nominated for Oscars, just not in the categories fans expected. As a producer of the movie, Robbie would get an Oscar if Barbie won Best Picture, while Gerwig (along with her husband Noah Baumbach) is behind the nominated screenplay.

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Gosling did acknowledge those other noms to close out his statement: “Having said that, I am so happy for America Ferrera and the other incredible artists who contributed their talents to making this such a groundbreaking film.”

Will Gosling take home an Oscar (or two) when the ceremony rolls around? We’ll find out when the Oscars air on Sunday, March 10 on ABC.