Eva Mendes defends Ryan Gosling as Ken after 'Barbie' Oscar nomination
To many, he's just Ken. But to Eva Mendes, Ryan Gosling is also known as her old love.
“So proud of my husband. So much hate when he took on this role. So many people are trying to shame him for doing this. Despite all the #Notmyken mockery and articles written about him, he created this completely original, hilarious, heartbreaking, now iconic character and took it all the way to the Oscars,” Mendes, 49, wrote via Instagram on Wednesday, January 24. “So incredibly proud to be Ken's Barbie.”
While cheering on her partner, with whom she shares daughters Esmeralda, 9, and Amada, 7, Mendes also posted several movie reviews that called Gosling, 43, “cringe” and poked fun at his character's signature bleach blonde hair.
The post comes a day after Gosling earned an Oscar nomination for his role in Barbie. While Gosling earned a nod for Best Supporting Actor, Costar Margot Robbie and director Greta Gerwig's names were noticeably absent.
After the nominations were announced, Gosling – who has now been nominated for an Oscar three times – expressed his frustration in a statement. (Gosling had received Best Actor nominations for 2006 Half Nelson and 2016 La La Land.)
“There is no Ken without Barbie, and there is no Barbie movie without Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie, the two people most responsible for this history-making, globally celebrated film,” Gosling wrote on Tuesday, January 23. I am disappointed that they have not been nominated in their respective categories, that would be an understatement.”
He continued: “Against all odds, with nothing but a few soulless, scantily clad and thankfully crotchless dolls, they made us laugh, broke our hearts, galvanized culture and made history. Their work should be recognized, along with the other very deserving nominees.”
Gosling also shared his appreciation for the recognition, noting that he is “extremely honored” to be standing alongside “such remarkable artists in a year with so many great films.”
The 96th annual Academy Awards will be one of the most competitive award shows of the season after an incredible year in cinema. Oppenheimer scored thirteen Oscar nominations, the most of any film this year. Close behind are Poor Things with eleven nods and Barbie with eight mentions for the big night. While […]
“I never thought I'd say this, but I'm also incredibly honored and proud that it is for portraying a plastic doll named Ken,” he added, expressing his congratulations to costar America Ferrerawho earned a Best Supporting Actress nomination for her role in Barbie.
Gosling received the love back from Ferrera, 39, who posted a sweet message on Mendes' post.
“He's brilliant as Ken!” she wrote on Tuesday. “A triple somersault done! We are so lucky it was him and I am so grateful for the way he showed up with his super stardom, and continues to show up to support all women in this process!! He is a class act and incredibly deserving and talented.”
Barbie has the chance to take home some of the coveted footage, as the film received eight Oscar nominations, including Best Original Song (Mark Ronson And Andrew Wyatt's “I'm Just Ken” and Billie Eilish'What was I made for?'), Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Film.
The Oscars air on ABC Sunday, March 10 at 7pm ET.