Ryan Gosling has called out the Academy for not giving Barbie actress Margot Robbie and director Greta Gerwig Best Actress and Best Director Oscars nominations. Gosling was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Ken, while his Barbie, Robbie, did not receive a nomination.
In a statement shared with People, Gosling said, “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.”
Gosling continued on, sharing his disappointment. “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.”
Despite his dissatisfaction, Gosling also acknowledged his achievement and expressed his gratitude.
“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 being saying this, but I’m also incredibly honored and proud that it’s for portraying a plastic doll named Ken,” he joked.
His co-star America Ferrera, who received a Best Supporting Actress nomination for her role as Gloria, also showed her support for Gerwig and Robbie.
“I was incredibly disappointed that they weren’t nominated,” Ferrera told Variety.
Barbie was also nominated for Best Picture, Adapted Screenplay, Costume Design, Production Design, and Original Song (“What Was I Made For?” by Billie Eilish and “I’m Just Ken” sung by Gosling.
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