Ryan Gosling will be “Kenough” at the 2024 Academy Awards.
After rumors circulated on social media that the Barbie star would sing “I’m Just Ken” at the Oscars, which is nominated for best original song, a source close to the situation tells The Hollywood Reporter that Gosling is scheduled to perform the musical number.
Ken’s humorous ballad made its debut on the Billboard Hot 100 chart at No. 87 in August, merely weeks after the film’s release. Upon its success, Gosling released an EP in December, featuring three new renditions of the song—including a “Merry Kristmas” version.
THR had previously asked Mark Ronson, who co-wrote the song alongside Andrew Wyatt, if he thought the song would make its live debut at the Oscars. At the time, he said himself and the rest of the Barbie team “would love more than anything for Ryan to perform the song.” He added that the song having its big Oscars moment has “always just been the dream since sort of that first day in the studio, but all that stuff still seems like a while away.”
When it was suggested that the other Kens could join Gosling onstage, Ronson beamed, “Oh my goodness, that’s from your mouth to God’s ears.”
“I’m Just Ken” is competing against the other Barbie hit “What Was I Made For?” by Billie Eilish, as well as “The Fire Inside” (Flamin’ Hot), “It Never Went Away” (American Symphony) and “Wahzhazhe (A Song For My People” (Killers of the Flower Moon).
Besides best original song, Barbie is up for six other Oscars, including best picture and adapted screenplay. “I’m Just Ken” has received plenty of accolades, winning best song at the Critics Choice Awards and earning a Grammy nomination for best song for visual media.
Barbie fans can watch Gosling’s performance at the 2024 Oscars on ABC on Sunday, March 10 at 4 p.m. PT.
