Ryan Gosling's performance of ‘I’m Just Ken' is the best thing to happen to the Oscars 2024

"Ryan Gosling has more stage presence than any male pop star alive," wrote one X.com user.

11 March 2024

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Ryan Gosling may not have taken home the Academy Award for best original song at the 2024 Oscars, but his performance of “I'm Just Ken” sure won my heart.

From the moment Gosling stepped out in that glittering pink suit, I knew the memes were imminent—but I didn't know just how obsessed the internet would become. With the help of plenty of the Barbie movie Kens, producer Mark Ronson, and Slash, the 43-year-old actor produced a Hollywood performance like we haven't seen since Marilyn Monroe donned her pink dress and gloves for “Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend” in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)—and yes, I know that's what Gosling & Co. were going for.

Don't take my word for it, just check out the reactions from the audience, as well as on X.com (or as those on X.com would call it: Twitter). “Ryan Gosling fully belting out ‘I’m Just Ken’ is the one of the most incredible Oscar musical performances I’ve ever seen,” Variety co-editor-in-chief Ramin Setoodeh wrote in a tweet that's already received over a thousand likes. “People were screaming, cheering and gasping inside the Dolby.”

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One X.com user went so far as to say that Gosling “has more stage presence than any male pop star alive.”

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“I hope the kenergy never leaves Ryan Gosling,” wrote Nora Dominick, who pointed out that Margot Robbie could not stop laughing during the song's opening. Another user noticed that Robbie and Barbie director Greta Gerwig literally “JUMPED” from their seats.

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Of course, one highlight was the La La Land reunion between Gosling and former co-star Emma Stone (or Crazy Stupid Love reunion, depending on who you ask). Honestly, it seemed like she waited her whole life to sing, "and so am I" into Gosling's mic.

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While this was a great sales pitch for La La Land 2, I personally agree with X.com user who tweeted, “ok can't believe I'm saying this, but Ryan Gosling for Super Bowl Halftime Show?”