Actor Ryan Gosling on Tuesday expressed gratitude for his Oscar nomination for best supporting actor for his performance as Ken in the global phenomenon “Barbie,” but questioned Oscar voters for choosing his “Barbie” co-star Margot Robbie for best actress and had passed over the film's director, Greta Gerwig, for the Best Director category.
“To say I'm disappointed they weren't nominated in their respective categories would be an understatement,” Gosling said of the snubs in a statement to CBS News. “Against all odds, with nothing more than a few soulless, scantily clad and thankfully crotchless puppets, they made us laugh, they broke our hearts, they advanced culture, and they made history. Their work should be recognized alongside the other very deserving nominees.”
The blockbuster grossed more than $1.4 billion worldwide, making it the highest-grossing film of the year. The film was nominated for eight awards on Tuesday, including best picture. In addition to Gosling, America Ferrera also received an award for best supporting actress.
(LR) Ryan Gosling, America Ferrera, Margot Robbie and Greta Gerwig on the red carpet for “Barbie” at Warner Bros. Pictures Studio in Burbank, California. Greg Doherty/WireImage via Getty Images
“It is a great honor to be nominated by my peers alongside such remarkable artists in a year with so many great films,” Gosling’s statement read. “And I never thought I would say this, but I also feel incredibly honored and proud that it is for the representation of a plastic doll named Ken. But there is no Ken without Barbie and there is no Barbie film without Greta Gerwig and Margot. Robbie, the two main people responsible for this historic and worldwide acclaimed film.
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He added that he was “so happy” for Ferrera and the other “incredible artists” who helped make the film.
Ferrera said she was “stunned” and “moved” by her Oscar nomination. She echoed Gosling's statement, telling Variety that she was “incredibly disappointed.” Robbie and Gerwig didn't receive an Oscar nod.
“Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie made history and raised the bar with Barbie,” Ferrera said in a separate statement to CBS News. “The cultural and industry impact they have made will be felt for generations and I am so grateful to them for asking me to be a part of it.”
“Barbie” was also nominated for nine Golden Globes, including best director. It won two – for best original song for Billie Eilish's “What Was I Made For?” – and for theatrical and box office success.
In 2018, Gerwig received an Oscar nomination for best director for her film “Lady Bird.” Guillermo del Toro won this year for “The Shape of Water.”
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