Ryan Gosling reveals why he hasn't let his daughters see Barbie yet: 'I don't know if you should see your dad as Ken'

Barbie took the world by storm after its highly anticipated release in July 2023 with Ryan Gosling's iconic performance as Ken that was sure to go down in history.

But while the rest of the world sang along to the actor's sensational performance of I'm Just Ken, Ryan's two children have yet to see the film.

Speak with E! News At the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, Ryan, 43, admitted that although his daughters Esmerelda, 9, and Amada, 7, helped him prepare for his role as Ken, he hadn't shown them the film.

He explained, “I don't know if you should see your dad as Ken. I don't know what age is a good age to see your dad do that. It's getting pretty crazy.'

Ryan and his wife Eva Mendes are incredibly private about their relationship and never share photos together on social media.

But while the rest of the world sang along to the actor's sensational performance of I'm Just Ken, Ryan's two children have yet to see the film.

But Ryan did admit that his children's love for Barbie was a factor in him taking on the role.

“I knew they loved it because at first they kept saying, 'Hey, can we go to Target?'” he recalled. “And we go to Target, and they walked slowly down the Barbie aisle. And my wife and I kind of realized, “Okay, I think it's time to let them have Barbies.” And no interest in Ken, which was also quite interesting.”

And while they didn't see the full movie, Ryan did allow them to visit Barbie land to get them involved in the process.

“They saw little bits of it and they came to the set one day when I was doing a big musical number,” he explained.

Meanwhile, Ryan found himself becoming a viral meme earlier this week after his hilarious, confused reaction to his Barbie song I'm Just Ken, which won best song at the Critics Choice Awards.

The star frowned and looked slightly shocked after the song was named Best Original Song at the event, with his deadpan expression that has social media buzzing.

Ryan did not take the stage to accept the award, but instead writers Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt received the honor.

One user said Ryan “made a new meme with this face” during the show, while another user said, “I still laugh at Ryan Gosling's face hahahaha.”

The actor admitted, “I don't know if you should see your dad as Ken. I don't know what age is a good age to see your dad do that. It's getting pretty crazy'

Ryan and his wife Eva Mendes (pictured in 2013) are incredibly private about their relationship and never share photos on social media. The couple shares two daughters Esmerelda, 9, and Amada, 7

Earlier this week, Ryan found himself becoming a viral meme after his hilarious, confused reaction to his Barbie song I'm Just Ken, which won Best Song at the Critics Choice Awards

Another user said: 'I'm still laughing at Ryan Gosling's face hahahaha'

One user said: 'Yoooo Ryan Gosling's face on the song 'I'm just Ken' SENT ME!'

Eva took to Instagram to share her support for the Kenergy and express her great pride in her husband.

She took a screenshot of Ryan's confused reaction and wrote: 'I LOVE HIM!!!!'

Ryan also gave the sweetest shoutout to his wife and their two daughters at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival on Saturday.

While accepting the Kirk Douglas Award for Excellence in Film, the La La Land star reflected on meeting the 49-year-old actress on the set of The Place Beyond the Pines as they played love interests Romina and Luke.

While referencing the raw drama that brought them together in 2011, the Barbie actor talked about how landing the role ultimately led to him meeting his soulmate.

“The most important thing is that I met the girl of my dreams, Eva Mendes, and had two dream children,” said the Golden Globe winner.

He continued, “I dreamed of making movies one day, and now movies have turned my life into a dream.”

“It's hard to imagine being at a point in my career where I'm standing here tonight,” Ryan said. “…It's just Kirk Douglas. He's one of cinema's first true icons… he's completely in a league of his own, and I'm… just Ken?'

The star added: 'Until now I've only thought about how much cinema has done for me. As far as I can remember, I had never really thought about what I did for the film.'

The day after the ceremony, the actress, 49, reposted a clip of the 43-year-old Barbie star's stunned reaction when his name was called, writing in her caption: “I LOVE HIM!!!!”

Pictured playing the love interests of Romina and Luke in their gritty drama The Place Beyond the Pines, where the two met in 2011