It was the most anticipated performance of the evening which woke the audience at the 96th Oscars this Sunday from their torpor. Ryan Gosling woke up the ceremony by performing the Barbie anthem “I’m just Ken”. The actor, in a rhinestone pink suit, made the entire audience of stars at the Dolby Theater sing along with surprise guests. Emma Stone and Margot Robbie in particular.
Ryan Gosling started sitting in the audience, provoking laughter from his partner Margot Robbie before joining the 65 dancers waiting for him on stage. His troop carried him in triumph. Among the dancers were his costars, including Simu Liu. Another luxury guest star is Guns n’ Roses guitarist Slash.
Ryan Gosling then transformed the exercise into a giant karaoke, handing the microphone to his director Greta Gerwig and Emma Stone, his partner in La La Land. All the stars played the game.
A former Disney child star, the star of the musical La La Land was the frontman of a rock band growing up. Ever since he knew he had to perform at the Oscars, he had immersed himself in rehearsals.
Also read: Eva Mendes enjoys her revenge with her husband Ryan Gosling’s Oscar nomination
Despite his efforts, Ryan Gosling did not walk away with the Oscar for best song (nor that for best supporting role which crowned Robert Downey Jr. for Oppenheimer). The trophy went to another title from the Barbie soundtrack, What Was I Made For? by Billie Eilish.
Also read Margot Robbie’s very classy response to her lack of an Oscar nomination for Barbie
Box office heavyweight, Barbie saw her hopes of medals melt away like snow in the sun. The gently feminist comedy about the Mattel doll garners 8 nominations, including best film, but nothing for direction, nor for its star Margot Robbie. His chances of winning seem slim and limited to the Oscar for best song.