In a surprising turn at the outset of Hollywood’s most awaited awards season, celebrated actor Ryan Gosling has publicly voiced his dissatisfaction over the Oscar oversight concerning his “Barbie” co-star Margot Robbie and director Greta Gerwig. This comes in the wake of the recent announcement of the 96th Academy Awards nominations, which sparked conversations about the glaring absences in key categories.
The Academy’s nomination list, revealed on Tuesday, saw the vibrant live-action extravaganza “Barbie,” based on the universally known Mattel figurine, met with a complex mix of praise and exclusion. While the film’s creative production was acknowledged with eight nominations, including Best Supporting Actor for Gosling and Best Supporting Actress for America Ferrera, it notably lacked nods for Best Actress and Best Director. Gosling’s portrayal of the plastic heartthrob Ken earned critical acclaim, and his musical effort, the emo power ballad “I’m Just Ken,” gained recognition with a Best Original Song nomination. The movie is also competing for the coveted Best Picture award.
In a heartfelt and candid statement disseminated online, Gosling expressed, “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.”
However, the actor’s feelings were noticeably mixed as he highlighted the partnership essential to the film’s success. “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,” Gosling said. He stressed that the accomplishments of the film and its recognition at the Oscars were deeply intertwined with the talent, perseverance, and brilliance of both Robbie and Gerwig.
“To say that I’m disappointed that they are not nominated in their respective categories would be an understatement,” Gosling shared, pointing to what he believes is a considerable oversight by the Academy. He lauded the pair for their exceptional work, which elevated an otherwise caricatured narrative into a culturally impactful and historic cinematic endeavor. “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,” he further insisted.
The snubs have caught the attention of the industry and audiences alike, sparking discussions about the criteria and processes that define Oscar worthiness. Amidst “Barbie’s” particular recognitions and omissions, Christopher Nolan’s WWII-era biopic “Oppenheimer” leads the pack with an impressive 13 nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor.
In a year where the Oscars have succumbed to the usual blend of predictable acknowledgments and startling exclusions, the omission of Robbie and Gerwig from the list serves as a stark reminder of the capricious nature of awards season. Gosling’s public disappointment is a rare example of an industry insider critiquing the system from within, advocating for deserved recognition of his colleagues’ contributions to their film’s success.
As the conversation around these nominations unfolds, one thing is certain: the celebration of cinematic achievements is as much about the performances on screen as it is about the narrative that weaves itself through the corridors of the Academy. Whether or not these sentiments will prompt a reevaluation of the Oscars’ decisions remains to be seen, but Gosling’s open expression of solidarity and respect for his team’s efforts will undoubtedly resonate within the industry and beyond.
