Barbie star Ryan Gosling will perform I’m Just Ken at the Oscars

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Wenlei Ma
The Nightly
Ryan Gosling will take to the stage at the Oscars to sing I’m just Ken.
Ryan Gosling will take to the stage at the Oscars to sing I’m just Ken. Credit: AP

Pull on a sleeveless denim jacket and grab your surfboard, Ryan Gosling will be performing I’m Just Ken at the Oscars in two weeks.

Ever since Gosling near-stole the Barbie movie with his rousing, full-throated and even bigger-hearted song-and-dance number, fans have been calling on the star to get up on stage at the Oscars and perform.

Wishes do come true because sources told Variety Gosling will sing during the ceremony, at which Barbie is nominated for eight Oscars including a nod for Gosling in supporting actor.

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Robert Downey Jr is a lock to win in Gosling’s category so the Canadian actor can relax without the spectre of having to give a speech, freeing him up to be all in for his performance.

It’s an Oscars tradition to feature live performances of the nominated songs during the ceremony. In 2019, a duet from Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga set tongues wagging over their sizzling chemistry on stage.

When the Gosling and Emma Stone-starring La La Land was twice-nominated in best song at the 2017 Oscars, neither actors performed at the ceremony. Singer and co-star John Legend did the honours instead.

Barbie has two nominations in the best song category with Billie Eilish’s What Was I Made For the frontrunner.

Ryan Gosling & Mark Ronson - I'm Just Ken (Merry Kristmas Barbie)
Ryan Gosling re-recorded ‘I’m Just Ken’ as a Christmas song. Credit: Atlantic Records/Youtube

Gosling has been a good sport for the Barbie phenomenon, reprising his character months after its July 2023 release.

He re-recorded several versions of I’m Just Ken, including a Christmas one, and recently appeared in character in an Oscars promo spot, alongside host Jimmy Kimmel and Barbie co-stars America Ferrera and Kate McKinnon.

Despite its eight Oscar nominations, Barbie missed out on two key categories, director for Greta Gerwig and lead actress for Margot Robbie. The omissions led to outrage among fans who pointed out Gerwig and Robbie were the two crucial persons to shepherd the cultural phenomenon to life.

This image released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows actors Ryan Gosling, left, Margot Robbie, center, with director Greta Gerwig on the set of "Barbie." (Jaap Buitendijk/Warner Bros. Pictures via AP)
Ryan Gosling, Margot Robbie and Greta Gerwig on the set of Barbie. Credit: Jaap Buitendijk/AP

“To say that I’m disappointed that they are not nominated in their respective categories would be an understatement,” Gosling said in a statement on the day of the nominations.

“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 recognised along with the other very deserving nominees.”

Gerwig picked up a nomination in the adapted screenplay category with co-writer Noah Baumbach while Robbie was nominated as a producer in best picture. Ferrera was nominated for supporting actress for her role as Gloria.

The Oscars ceremony will be broadcast on Channel 7 and streamed on 7Plus on Monday, March 11 at 11am AEDT.

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