Ryan Gosling Brings the ‘Kenergy’ One Last Time at This Year’s Oscars

Ryan Gosling brought all the “Kenergy” to the Oscars stage with one final performance of “I’m Just Ken” to usher out the Barbie era.

With no introduction, the camera pans to Gosling with a cowboy hat covering his face, sitting between Margot Robbie and Billie Eilish. The performance has barely started, and it’s hard to not laugh as Robbie and Eilish struggle to hold it together. 

BARBIE AND KEN AT THE #Oscars pic.twitter.com/IAMmksMyEy

— ໊ (@addictionmargot) March 11, 2024

Dressed in a hot pink suit, the actor sang through the crowd, making it to the main stage with producer Mark Ronson. An army of Kens, including Simu Liu, awaits his arrival, looking just like Marilyn Monroe’s “Gentleman Prefer Blondes.”

Ryan Gosling has more stage presence than any male pop star alive pic.twitter.com/m29gGrF7Af

— Sam Stryker (@sbstryker) March 11, 2024

Choreographed by Mandy Moore (La La Land, Dancing With the Stars), the Kens put on a dramatic interpretation of the first part of the song. As the track picked up, more Kens began to file in and whisk the actor in the air in a sea of cardboard Barbie heads, heightening the energy throughout the theatre. The performance even featured an appearance from Slash, who performed the electric guitar solo. 

He then jumped off the stage as the screens behind him displayed the lyrics, encouraging a singalong amongst the crowd. Of course, he had America Ferrera, Greta Gerwig, and Margot Robbie join in because who is Ken without his Barbies?

Also joining in was the night’s Best Actress winner, Emma Stone, whose energy led to a ripped dress, which she poked fun at during her acceptance speech.

Ryan Gosling had every A-list celeb on their feet. he turned the entire Oscars theater into a full-on concert. that man has so much charisma and star power wow pic.twitter.com/f4Mv4rEq1G

— Spencer Althouse (@SpencerAlthouse) March 11, 2024

The performance concludes with the Barbie actor in his sea of Kens, and the crowd erupts in cheers, signifying one of the most electrifying performances of the evening. Fans immediately took to social media, expressing their excitement for the “campiness” of the performance. Although exceptionally directed, it was fun, lighthearted, and, as social media now calls it, “unserious.”

Despite its box office achievements and social media virality, Barbie did not take home any awards, much to the dismay of fans. Viewers understand that it was a stacked season and the films that won rightfully earned their accolades. But, many agree that the film should’ve at least taken home trophies for costuming and design categories. 

Nonetheless, Barbie was a testament to women’s often-overlooked hard work and creativity. The film, which executives usually write off as “frivolous” and “unnecessary,” made history in numbers. But, more importantly, it gave girls and young women a chance to live in their “girlhood” and feel their issues finally pushed to the forefront.

So, although not an Academy Award winner, Barbie won the hearts of millions. To that, we say a bittersweet “Bye, Barbie.”