Top storiesNew ZealandPoliticsBusinessEntertainmentSportsWorld

Oscars 2024: Ryan Gosling steals the show in I’m Just Ken performance

Ryan Gosling performs I'm Just Ken from Barbie during the 96th Annual Academy Awards. Photo / Getty Images
Ryan Gosling performs I'm Just Ken from Barbie during the 96th Annual Academy Awards. Photo / Getty Images

Barbie star Ryan Gosling performed the film’s Academy Award-nominated song I’m Just Ken at the 2024 Oscars ceremony, and it was kenough to nab the title of “one of the most incredible Oscar musical performances”.

Ryan Gosling, who was nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role, wore a bedazzled pink suit and sunglasses as he gave the performance of a lifetime, singing I’m Just Ken from Greta Gerwig’s Mattel doll-inspired flick at the 2024 Academy Awards.

The actor began the song wearing a cowboy hat, sitting behind his Barbie co-star Margot Robbie, singing into her ear as he got up from his seat. Robbie could be seen being unable to contain her giggles as her co-star ascended to the stage.

Gosling then climbed up the steps of the stage to join Mark Ronson, who was jamming out on a bass guitar.

Ryan Gosling and Slash perform I'm Just Ken from Barbie during the 96th Annual Academy Awards. Photo / Getty Images
Ryan Gosling and Slash perform I'm Just Ken from Barbie during the 96th Annual Academy Awards. Photo / Getty Images

The Ken actor then took to the stage with 75 other Kens - including co-star Simu Liu - who eventually picked up Gosling and spun him around as big cardboard cutouts of Barbie were lifted in the air.

As if the performance couldn’t get any more headline-grabbing, acclaimed Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash appeared on stage and rocked out beside Gosling.

Gosling then could be seen strolling through the crowd and even passed the microphone to his La La Land co-star Emma Stone to sing a few lines of the hit song.

The star-studded spectacle concluded with fireworks in the background and a large standing ovation from the audience.

Fans flooded X, formerly Twitter, to praise the actor-turned-serenader online.

“Ryan Gosling kinda an icon for life”, wrote one social media user, while another chimed in: “Behold. The greatest moment in Oscar history!! Bravo Ryan Gosling & I’m Just Ken!”

One person gushed: “Ryan Gosling starting I’m Just Ken in the audience behind Margot Robbie, who CANNOT stop laughing. Genius. I hope the kenergy never leaves ryan gosling.”

“Ryan Gosling fully belting out I’m Just Ken is the one of the most incredible Oscar musical performances I’ve ever seen. People were screaming, cheering and gasping inside the Dolby,” one person said.

Even Gosling’s wife hopped onto the social media craze, posting a snap of her wearing his pink sparkly blazer and cowboy hat on Instagram, with the caption: “You took Ken all the way to the Oscar’s, RG. Now come home, we need to put the kids to bed.”

Vera Alves

And that concludes the 96th Academy Awards. 

Oppenheimer was the big award winner of the night and of course, took home the gong for Best Picture. 

But I think we can all agree that the real winner was Ryan Gosling for that epic performance of I'm Just Ken. 

See you in our dreams Ryan and thank you for following along with our live blog. 

See you next year!

Vera Alves

And the Oscar for Best Picture goes to...

OPPENHEIMER!

Vera Alves

The nominees for Best picture are:

American Fiction

Anatomy of a Fall

Barbie

The Holdovers

Killers of the Flower Moon

Maestro

Oppenheimer

Past Lives

Poor Things

The Zone of Interest

Vera Alves

Vera Alves

This is her second win, having won in 2017 for La La Land.

Emma turned around to reveal her dress had broken at the back "I think it happened during I'm Just Ken," the actress laughed.

Vera Alves

And the Oscar for Best Actress goes to...

Emma Stone, Poor Things.

Vera Alves

The nominees for Best Actress are: 

Annette Bening, Nyad

Lily Gladstone, Killers of the Flower Moon

Sandra Hüller, Anatomy of a Fall

Carey Mulligan, Maestro

Emma Stone, Poor Things

Vera Alves

Two awards to go - Best Actress and Best Picture.

Vera Alves

Steven Spielberg has taken the Stage to Present the Oscar for Best Director. 

And the Oscar goes to...

Christopher Nolon for Oppenheimer!

Vera Alves

Vera Alves

It's the Irish actor's first win and nomination. 

Vera Alves

And the Oscar for Best Actor goes to...

Cillian Murphy, Oppenheimer!

Vera Alves

The nominees for Best Actor are: 

Bradley Cooper, Maestro

Colman Domingo, Rustin

Paul Giamatti, The Holdovers

Cillian Murphy, Oppenheimer

Jeffrey Wright, American Fiction

Vera Alves

The in Memorium is playing as Time to Say Goodbye is performed by Andrea and Matteo Bocelli.

Vera Alves

The Academy is now paying tribute to all the great actors and industry members who passed away over the last year. 

Vera Alves

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo also present Best Original Song. And the Oscar goes to...

Billie Eilish and Finneas for What Was I Made For from the movie Barbie.

Vera Alves

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo take the stage to present Best Original Score. And the Oscar goes to...

Oppenheimer!

Vera Alves

Our heart rates may never recover after that performance and social media agrees with posts flooding in after the performance by Ryan Gosling. 

Vera Alves

Vera Alves

Vera Alves

Gosling has given us easily the best moment of the Oscars - complete with a guitar solo from Slash himself. A standing ovation for everyone. 

He's forever our Ken!

Vera Alves

Ryan Gosling emerged from behind Margot Robbie in the audience wearing a pink suit and hat and walked through the audience to join Mark Ronson on stage. The pair went on to perform the Oscar-nominated hit song from Barbie, I'm Just Ken. 

Vera Alves

John Mulaney Presents the Oscar for Achievement in Sound. And the Oscar goes to... 


The Zone of Interest.

Vera Alves

The Oscar for Best Live Action Short Film goes to...

The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar.

Vera Alves

The Oscar for Best Cinematography goes to...

Oppenheimer.

Vera Alves

Vera Alves

The Oscar for Best Documentary Feature goes to...

20 Days in Mariupol.

Vera Alves

The Oscar for Best Documentary Short Film goes to...

The Last Repair Shop.

Vera Alves

Messi gets our vote tbh

Vera Alves

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito are also presenting the Oscar for Best Film Editing. And the Oscar goes to...

Oppenheimer.

Vera Alves

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito are presenting the Oscar for Achievement in Visual Effects. And the Oscar goes to...

Godzilla.

Vera Alves

Want to see the hottest Oscars looks and arrivals? 

Vera Alves

Vera Alves

"I'd like to thank my terrible childhood, and the academy, in that order," says Downey Jr. while accepting his first ever Oscar. 

Vera Alves

To present the Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role we have 5 past winners on stage - continuing the format where each nominee is given a nod to their work, by someone who has won in that category.

And the Oscar goes to...

Robert Downey Jr.!!!!

Vera Alves

Emily Blunt and Ryan Gosling are on stage paying tribute to the stunt performers of the industry. 

Vera Alves

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Bad Bunny are presenting Best International Feature Film. And the Oscar goes to....

The Zone of Interest.

Vera Alves

Vera Alves

Cena's nudity was a skit in reference to the 1974 Oscars when the stage saw it's very first and last streaker Robert Opal, an LGBT activist and teacher managed to enter the annual ceremony after posing as a journalist. 

Vera Alves

John Cena is presenting the award for Best Costume Design - AND HE IS NAKED! 

But the Oscar goes to... Poor Things.

Vera Alves

Vera Alves

Michael Keaton and Catherine O'Hara are back to present the Oscar for Best Production Design. And the Oscar goes to...

Poor Things.

Vera Alves

Michael Keaton and Catherine O'Hara present the Oscar for Best Makeup and Hairstyling. And the Oscar goes to...

Poor Things.

Vera Alves

Now performing the Oscar-nominated song What Was I Made For, from the movie Barbie, are Billie Eilish and Finneas.

Vera Alves

Melissa McCarthy and Octavia Spencer are now back to present Best Adapted Screenplay. And the Oscar goes to...

American Fiction.

Vera Alves

Melissa McCarthy and Octavia Spencer present Best Original Screenplay. And the Oscar goes to...

Anatomy of a Fall.

Vera Alves

Chris Hemsworth and Anya Taylor-Joy are also presenting the award for Best Animated Feature. And the Oscar goes to...

The Boy and the Heron. 

Vera Alves

New Zealand film-maker Peter Jackson collaborated with the team behind the now Oscar-winning film 

Vera Alves

Chris Hemsworth and Anya Taylor-Joy are presenting the award for Best Animated Short. And the Oscar goes to...

War is Over.

Vera Alves

Jimmy Kimmel is back on stage, and honestly, the vibe is just kind of off tonight? This audience seems unsure of what to expect from the host.

Vera Alves

Vera Alves

Da’Vine Joy Randolph is overwhelmed with emotion as she accepts the award with tears running down her face. 

"I thank you for seeing me," she concludes her speech.

Vera Alves

And the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress goes to...

Da’Vine Joy Randolph for The Holdovers!

Vera Alves

It's certainly a longer format, but seems fitting for such a huge accolade. So far we are loving it and the emotions are real in the crowd.

Vera Alves

The first award tonight is Best Supporting Actress and this year we see an old format back, where 5 past winners of the award present in each category and shout-out each nominee. 

Vera Alves

So many of Kimmel's jokes appear to be falling flat with his celeb audience. Awkward. 

Vera Alves

Jimmy Kimmel has begun his opening monologue - alluding to Robert Downey Jr's past addiction issues (which totally missed the mark) and taking aim at the Margot Robbie snub. 

Vera Alves

Vera Alves

The carpet has officially concluded - saving the best for last - and the awards are about to start. Grab your popcorn!

Vera Alves

Vera Alves

Vera Alves

Vera Alves

Margot has arrived, and guys.... she has put Barbie to bed. RIP Barbie chic. 

Vera Alves

Vera Alves

Vera Alves

Vera Alves

No sign of Margot Robbie yet. We are hoping for one last epic Barbie look from our queen. 

Vera Alves

Vera Alves

Vera Alves

Vera Alves

Vera Alves

The celebs have started to take their seats as we get ready for the official awards to begin and the red carpet winds down. 

Vera Alves

Some big names have been spotted inside, but seem to have skipped the carpet. Is there a secret side door we don't know about? 

Vera Alves

Vera Alves

Vera Alves

Ryan Gosling, nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Ken in Barbie, has arrived in a black suit with shimmery trim/statement trim. 

Vera Alves

Vera Alves

Messi, the border collie who stole our hearts as Snoop in Anatomy of a Fall - nominated for Best Picture - has been spotted in the Oscars audience. 

Vera Alves

Vera Alves

Many artists have been spotted donning a red pin on their outfits, depicting a raised hand with a black heart sitting in the middle. What does it mean? The image is the official symbol for the Artists for Ceasefire initiative and expresses support for a humanitarian solution in Gaza. The initiative was started through an open letter, signed by industry members and creatives, which asked the US President and Congress to take steps to de-escalate the conflict between Gaza and Israel and support an immediate ceasefire in the region.

Vera Alves

Vera Alves

The Rock has arrived and chosen a very unforgiving fabric for his Oscars ensemble. 

Vera Alves

Vera Alves

Vera Alves

Vera Alves

Vera Alves

Vera Alves

Vera Alves

Vera Alves