Topline
Actor Ryan Gosling released a statement Tuesday afternoon expressing disappointment that “Barbie” producer and co-star Margot Robbie, and the film’s director, Greta Gerwig, did not receive Oscar nominations—though he did.
“There is no Ken without Barbie, and there is no Barbie movie without Greta Gerwig and Margot … [+] Robbie,” Ryan Gosling — who played Ken in Gerwig’s “Barbie” — said in statement following Oscar snubs for the two women behind the film. (Photo by Greg Doherty/WireImage)
Key Facts
Gosling—who played Ken in Gerwig’s 2023 blockbuster—was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role, though Gerwig and Robbie were notably left off of the nominee list for Best Director and Best Actress, respectively.
Gosling said he was honored by his own nomination, but that there would be “no Ken without Barbie, and … no Barbie movie without Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie,” according to his statement, which was shared on X by a New York Times reporter.
Gosling went on to say the fact he was “disappointed” Gerwig and Robbie were not nominated in their respective categories “would be an understatement.”
Crucial Quote
“Against all odds with nothing but a couple of soulless, scantily clad, and thankfully crotchless dolls, (Gerwig and Robbie) made us laugh, they broke our hearts, they pushed the culture and they made history,” Gosling said in the statement. “Their work should be recognized along with the other very deserving nominees.”
Big Number
8. That’s how many Oscar nominations “Barbie” did receive, including for Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay. America Ferrera was also nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the film.
Key Background
“Barbie,” which was released in July and brought in a record-breaking $1.45 billion at the global box office—$636 million domestically—was considered the hit film of 2023 by many. It had the biggest opening day of the year, was the highest-grossing film of the year domestically and worldwide and secured nine nominations and two wins at the Golden Globes. Gerwig’s and Robbie’s snubs drew quick criticism online Tuesday, with many calling the Academy’s nomination of Gosling, the man whose character represented patriarchy, ironic. MSNBC host Jennifer Palmieri said on X, formerly known as Twitter, that “it’s still so easy for Hollywood to overlook and discount artistic contributions of women,” and Los Angeles Times culture columnist Mary McNamara wrote the snubs “just prove the movie’s point.”
Further Reading
MORE FROM FORBESThese Best Picture Nominees-Including ‘The Zone Of Interest’ And ‘American Fiction’-Are Hoping An Oscar Bump Can Help Their Box Office NumbersBy Conor MurrayMORE FROM FORBESOscar Nominations Snubs: ‘Barbie’ Misses Nods For Greta Gerwig And Margot RobbieBy Conor MurrayMORE FROM FORBES‘Barbie’ Records 2023’s Biggest Opening Day-‘Oppenheimer’ Third BiggestBy Ty Roush
