Ryan Gosling's Assertion: Ken Was Completely Ignored Until He Stepped In
Ryan Gosling playfully suggests that Ken was insignificant until he brought the iconic Barbie character to life, humorously claiming that no one cared about Ken before he took on the role
During a recent award ceremony, Ryan Gosling proudly stated that Ken, his now iconic Barbie character, was someone that nobody ignored.
There is truly so much to admire about Greta Gerwig's girl-power inspired summer blockbuster Barbie, from its talented cast to its empowering themes and its remarkable soundtrack.
The nearly two-hour movie follows Barbie (played by Margot Robbie) and Ken (played by Ryan Gosling) as they venture into the real world and realize that there is more to life than just being dolls.
Both Robbie and Gosling have made it clear that they feel a deep connection to their characters, with Gosling even stating that nobody paid attention to Ken before he took on the role during a recent awards ceremony.
Gosling jokes that Ken was a nobody before he played him
The actor made an appearance at Variety’s Hitmakers event to present producer Mark Ronson with the Soundtrack of the Year award for his work on the Barbie soundtrack.
In his speech praising Ronson, Gosling declares, "Just six months ago, Ken was completely invisible to the world. A 70-year-old man with no home, no car, no job, and no voice. But look at him now!"
"Now he has a Grammy-nominated hit song and an incredible singing voice. What's the secret to his transformation? It's simple. He met Mark Ronson, and his life was forever changed. And Ken is just the beginning."
Gosling went on to say that Ronson was the perfect example of what “Kenergy” looks like in the real world.
"What is 'Kenergy' other than a word I coined during a press junket to avoid answering questions, a word that has haunted me ever since?" Gosling pondered. "It's a noun that I've come to understand as the strength and vitality needed for a sustained period of 'Kenning.'"
He went on to explain, "'Kenning' is another word I invented. It's a verb. 'To Ken' is to give more than is necessary or required to reflect so that others might shine. I can't think of a better way to describe Mark Ronson than that."
Ronson's Barbie soundtrack features a variety of popular songs, including Dua Lipa's “Dance the Night,” Lizzo’s “Pink,” Billie Eilish’s “What Was I Made For?,” and the collaboration between Spice/Nicki Minaj “Barbie World.”
For more Barbie content, please see below.
Review of Barbie Movie: Barbie and Ken take center stage | Explaining the ending of Barbie: Does Barbie make the transformation to human? | Hidden gems in the Barbie movie | What we know about Barbie 2 | First reviews of Barbie movie celebrate its cinematic success | Is the new Barbie movie appropriate for children? | Fans are upset over a Snyder Cut reference in Barbie | Complete Barbie movie soundtrack: Songs, artists, and more | Vietnam bans Barbie due to controversial "nine dash line" | 33 films that influenced Barbie | Meet the cast of the Barbie movie: All actors and characters
Editor's P/S
Ryan Gosling's playful assertion that Ken was completely ignored until he stepped in is a humorous and charming take on the iconic Barbie character. His speech at Variety's Hitmakers event, where he presented producer Mark Ronson with the Soundtrack of the Year award for his work on the Barbie soundtrack, highlights the actor's commitment to the role and his appreciation for Ronson's contributions.
Gosling's portrayal of Ken in the highly anticipated Barbie movie has brought new attention and appreciation to the character, showcasing his charisma and comedic timing. Through his portrayal, Gosling has breathed new life into Ken and made him a beloved figure for audiences around the world.
