Ken wants everyone to know that this is Barbie’s world and we’re just living in it.
Actor Ryan Gosling, who portrayed Ken in the box-office hit movie, has taken aim at the Academy for not nominating Margot Robbie and Greta Gerwig in their respective categories for an Oscar.
While he himself was nominated as well as America Ferrera, the public were shocked to see Gerwig and Margot left off the list for Best Director and Best Actress respectively, especially given the success of the film.
Fans also took to Twitter to criticize the Academy for nominating a male from the Barbie movie when the film’s content itself is literally about how the patriarchy dismantles female empowerment at so many levels.
It’s also important to note that there is only one female director nominated for Best Director, proving that the world of movie making continues to be largely a boys’ club. They had a female director, Gerwig, who made the highest grossing movie of the year, and yet still chose to not include her in the nominees.
Like all of Gosling’s commentary around the Barbie movie, his response is iconic. Read his full clapback to the Academy here:
“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.
“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.”
He added: “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. Their work should be recognized along with the other very deserving nominees.”
“Having said that, II am so happy for America Ferrera and the other incredible artists who contributed their talents to making this such a groundbreaking film.”
