Ryan Gosling released a statement expressing his disappointment over Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie being snubbed for Best Director and Best Leading Actress, respectively, for “Barbie,” at the Oscars 2024 nominations.
Gosling, who is nominated this year for the Oscars for his role as Ken in “Barbie,” expressed his dissatisfaction over the Academy’s failure to acknowledge the most important people in the movie: Gerwig and Robbie.
“I am extremely honored to be nominated by my colleagues alongside such remarkable artists in a year of so many great films,” he said. “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.”
“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,” emphasized the actor. “No recognition would be possible for anyone on the film without their talent, grit and genius. To say that I’m disappointed that they are not nominated in their respective categories would be an understatement,”
The “La La Land” star noted the importance of the contributions of Gerwig and Robbie, as well as the other cast members who made “Barbie” the historic film that it is.
“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,” added Gosling.
“Having said that,” he concluded, “I am so happy for America Ferrera and the other incredible artists who contributed their talents to making this such a groundbreaking film,”
“Barbie” secured eight nominations at the 2024 Oscars, but Gerwig and Robbie’s snubs gained the Academy a few critics as the film was able to champion women’s empowerment given the acclaim and box office it received upon its release, and the missed-out recognition is being considered a slap in the face.
