Ryan Gosling Bids Farewell to Ken with Taylor Swift's 'All Too Well' Performance on 'SNL' Featuring Emily Blunt

Ryan Gosling is no longer “just Ken” and is ready to hang up his rollerblades for good.

"It's so good to be back hosting SNL. The reason I'm here is because of my new movie, The Fall Guy, with Emily Blunt. And don't worry, I won't be making any jokes about Ken because it's just not funny," shared Gosling during his Saturday Night Live monologue on April 13th. "Ken and I had to part ways because things got too intense and it's all in the past now, so I won't bring it up."

But then he added, "Well, maybe just a little. I mean, when you immerse yourself in a role for so long, letting go can feel like a breakup. And when it comes to dealing with a breakup, there's only one thing that really helps: the music of the amazing Taylor Swift."

Gosling, who was nominated for an Oscar for his role as Ken in the movie Barbie in 2023, recently sat down at a grand piano. He began playing a Ken-themed version of Taylor Swift's song "All Too Well."

While singing, Gosling changed the lyrics to match the Barbie storyline. He sang, "I cruised around Venice Beach, it's a fact / My outfits were snug, but that spandex was on track." Gosling continued, "I may have left my rollerblades at the pink mansion / But I still have that fur coat, I'll wear it with passion."

He continued to sing passionately: "Oh, the lovely description of my toned abs / Singing along to Indigo Girls with my friend Babs. If I claimed everything was okay, that would be untrue / I used to be Ken, but now I'm just Ryan."

Gosling's heartfelt musical moment was suddenly cut short by his co-star Blunt, 41, who playfully asked why he was focused on Barbie instead of talking about their upcoming action movie.

Blunt was excited about our planned Fall Guy monologue with lots of stunts, thinking it would be amazing. Instead, I ended up singing about Ken once more.

Ryan Gosling Breaks Up With Ken by Covering Taylor Swift's 'All Too Well' on 'SNL' With Emily Blunt

NBC

However, Gosling suggested that there might be a connection between the two events. He mentioned that he was listening to Taylor Swift's song "All Too Well" while working on The Fall Guy. He added, "In a way, I'm actually doing what we discussed."

Blunt attempted to stop Gosling from singing, but he found it difficult to let go.

Gosling sang, "We find ourselves back on the vibrant beach / The Oscar slipped away from me / I almost had it," he continued. "I remember being there with my bleach-blond hair / Now it's time to bid farewell to Fit Ken."

Blunt hesitantly bid farewell to her character in Oppenheimer, the acclaimed 2023 Oscar-winning film that delves into the creation of the atomic bomb.

In the movie, she portrayed Kitty Oppenheimer, the wife of the renowned scientist known as the "Father of the atom bomb." She jokingly sang, "I used to be the alcoholic wife of a dude in the hat, chatting with Albert Einstein while enjoying a margarita. And there was Sir Christopher Nolan in the back of a Kia."

The two actors then sang together, fully ending any lingering rivalry between Barbie and Oppenheimer following its shared July 2023 theatrical release date.

Ryan Gosling Breaks Up With Ken by Covering Taylor Swift's 'All Too Well' on 'SNL' With Emily Blunt

NBC

In unison, they sang, "You really should watch the Fall Guy." But I can't let go of Ken. Back in 2023, during the Barbenheimer summer, it was just us. We were drunk on beer, with no body hair. Now it's time to say goodbye to it all. We were Kitty and Ken. I wish you could have seen us. You were loyal until the end, even though your guy had no penis.

They conclude, “Must confess / We’re a mess doing press. Now it’s time to wish Ken and Kitty / Both of them / Farewell.”

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Gosling then tried to blow out a memorial candle for Ken, but the flame sparked back to life. The actor declared, "That's right, because Ken will never die."

Blunt wasn't the only surprise guest on Saturday's episode. Former SNL cast member and Gosling's Barbie costar Kate McKinnon returned for the cold open, reprising her "Close Encounter" character. Later, college basketball star Caitlin Clark appeared on "Weekend Update" to talk about the WNBA Draft. Musical guest Chris Stapleton also joined in a country-themed sketch with Gosling and the SNL cast.

Saturday Night Live airs on NBC Saturdays at 11:30 p.m. ET.

Editor's P/S:

Ryan Gosling's appearance on Saturday Night Live marked a turning point in his career as he bid farewell to his iconic role as Ken in "Barbie." His heartfelt rendition of Taylor Swift's "All Too Well," altered to reflect his Barbie experience, showcased his comedic and musical talents. The performance encapsulated the emotional journey of letting go of a significant character, resonating with those who have experienced similar breakups.

Gosling's musical moment was a clever way to bridge the gap between his past and present projects. By connecting his experience with Ken to the themes of "All Too Well," he demonstrated the transformative power of music and storytelling. The collaboration with Emily Blunt, who also bid farewell to her acclaimed role in "Oppenheimer," added a touch of nostalgia and camaraderie, reminding viewers of the shared experiences and bonds formed on film sets.