Ryan Gosling supports 'Barbie' director and star, calls Oscar snub a disappointment

WASHINGTON (TND) — Ryan Gosling thinks "Barbie" director Greta Gerwig and star Margot Robbie are "Kenough" and released a strongly-worded statement in response to their Oscar snub.

While Gosling was nominated for Best Supporting Actorat the Academy Awards, neither Gerwig nor Robbie received a nod in their respective categories.

In his statement, he noted he was honored for his nomination but disappointed for "the twopeople most responsible for this history-making, globally-celebrated film."

Costar America Ferrara was also honored by Gosling in his statement for her Best Supporting Actress nomination.

"I am so happy for America Ferrera and the other incredible artists who contributed their talents to making this such a groundbreaking film," he said.

In an interview with "Variety," Ferrera mentioned Gerwig's and Robbie's snub by saying she "was incredibly disappointed that they weren't nominated."

"Greta has done just about everything that a director could do to deserve it,” Ferrera noted. “Creating this world, and taking something that didn’t have inherent value to most people and making it a global phenomenon. It feels disappointing to not see her on that list."

She added that Robbie "is a magician as an actress in front of the screen, and it was one of the honors of my career to get to witness her pull off the amazing performance she did. She brings so much heart and humor and depth and joy and fun to the character. In my book, she’s a master."

Simu Liu, who starred as one of the movie's many Ken characters, posted on X saying "Being involved in a small way gave me a window into just how hard Greta and Margot had to fight to get Barbie made, and how flawlessly they executed. Together they started a movement, touched the world and reinvigorated the cinema. They deserve everything. They ARE everything."

A few other notable names also chimed in and criticized the Oscar snub.

"Greta & Margot, While it can sting to win the box office but not take home the gold, your millions of fans love you. You’re both so much more than Kenough," Hillary Clinton posted on X.

Tennis legend Billie Jean King said she was really upset and that the "movie is absolutely brilliant, and Great Gerwig is a genius."

The full statement from Ryan Gosling can be read below:

“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 l’d being 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.

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.

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.

Having said that, I am so happy for America Ferrera and the other incredible artists who contributed their talents to making this such a groundbreaking film.”

- Ryan Gosling, “Barbie”

Overall, "Barbie received eight Oscar nominations including Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay.

The film, released in July, brought in a record-breaking $1.45 billion at the global box office and was considered the hit film of 2023, according to Forbes.

It received nine nominations and two wins at the Golden Globes.