Ryan Gosling Saves The Oscars With His 'I'm Just Ken' Performance

The "Barbie" actor brought the Kenergy ― and paid tribute to Marilyn Monroe ― with a showstopping rendition of his Academy Award-nominated song.
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Ryan Gosling sent the Kenergy through the roof at the Oscars Sunday night with a dazzling performance of “I’m Just Ken” from last summer’s blockbuster “Barbie.”

Gosling, a Best Supporting Actor nominee for his portrayal of Ken in “Barbie,” seemingly brought the sleepy ceremony back to life by delivering a high-octane rendition of the Best Song contender.

Ryan Gosling's performance of "I'm Just Ken" paid tribute to Marilyn Monroe's "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" number from 1953's "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes."
Ryan Gosling's performance of "I'm Just Ken" paid tribute to Marilyn Monroe's "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" number from 1953's "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes."
Kevin Winter via Getty Images

Dressed in a hot pink suit and a pair of sunglasses, Gosling was joined onstage by songwriters Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt, as well as a troupe of tuxedoed Kens in an homage to Marilyn Monroe’s iconic performance of “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” from the 1953 movie musical “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.”

There were a few more surprises in store, too. As “I’m Just Ken” reached its crescendo, Guns ’N Roses guitarist Slash and Wolfgang Van Halen, son of late rocker Eddie Van Halen, appeared onstage to accompany Gosling for the remainder of the song.

Gosling wore a hot pink suit and sunglasses.
Gosling wore a hot pink suit and sunglasses.
Kevin Winter via Getty Images

While “I’m Just Ken” was, without question, one of the ceremony’s most buzzworthy moments, Gosling’s performance wasn’t announced until late February ― long after performers of other Best Song contenders, including Jon Batiste and Billie Eilish, had been confirmed.

Though Gosling had previously showcased his musical chops in 2016’s “La-La Land,” he told Variety in an interview published early February that he hadn’t yet been asked to perform at the Oscars.

Gosling was joined onstage by Guns 'N Roses guitarist Slash.
Gosling was joined onstage by Guns 'N Roses guitarist Slash.
Rich Polk via Getty Images

“It might be too much of a risk to have me do it,” he said at the time. “I don’t know how that would work.”

One person who had no doubts about Gosling’s ability to command the stage, however, was his “Barbie” co-star, Margot Robbie.

Speaking to Variety ahead of Sunday’s ceremony, Robbie said Gosling was “going to crush it.”

“I’m so excited. I think he’s going to be the highlight of the whole night,” she said. “I think a lot of people are going to be tuning in for this specific performance.”

Watch Ryan Gosling perform “I’m Just Ken” at the Oscars below.

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