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Ryan Gosling has issued a statement about his Oscar nomination for “Barbie,” expressing his disappointment that director Greta Gerwig and leading actress Margot Robbie were overlooked in their individual categories.
The blockbuster hit was nominated for a total of eight Oscars, including best picture. However, Gerwig and Robbie missed out on nominations for Best Director and Best Actress, respectively.
Gosling was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Ken.
In a statement obtained by the Independent, Gosling wrote: “It is a great honor for me to be nominated by my peers alongside such remarkable artists in a year with so many great films.” And I never thought I would say that, but I also feel incredibly honored and proud that it is for depicting 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 behind this historic and globally acclaimed film.
“Without her talent, courage and genius, no one in film would be able to be recognized.
“To say I’m disappointed they weren’t nominated in their respective categories would be an understatement.
Ryan Gosling and Margot Robbie in “Barbie”
(Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.)
“Against all odds, with nothing more than a few soulless, scantily clad and blissfully crotchless puppets, they made us laugh, they broke our hearts, they advanced culture, and they made history. Her work should be recognized alongside the other very deserving nominees.
“Nevertheless, I am very happy for America Ferrera and the other incredible artists who contributed their talents to making this groundbreaking film.”
Earlier in the day, America Ferrera also said she was “incredibly disappointed” that Gerwig and Robbie were not nominated in their respective categories.
Barbie also received nominations for Best Costume Design, Best Production Design and for two original songs, “I'm Just Ken” and “What Was I Made For?” Gerwig was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay alongside her husband and co-writer Noah Baumbach, while Robbie was nominated for Best Picture in her capacity as one of the film's producers.
Gerwig and Robbie weren't the only candidates who were unexpectedly rejected in their categories in this year's Oscar nominations.
Some of the year's biggest films were left off the list entirely, including the lively (but polarizing) class satire “Saltburn” and Wes Anderson's ambitious sci-fi comedy “Asteroid City.”
Follow the latest updates on this year's Oscar nominations here.