Simu Liu Breaks Silence on Viral Video of Supposed Ryan Gosling Snub at ‘Barbie’ Premiere

Ryan Gosling and Simu Liu George Pimentel/Shutterstock

Simu Liu is making it clear that the strong connection between him and his costar Ryan Gosling has never been stronger.

Liu, aged 34, posted on Instagram on Wednesday, July 26, after a video resurfaced of him and Gosling, aged 42, at a Barbie press event in Toronto last month. The video quickly became viral, causing fans to question whether the two actors had clashed. In the clip, Liu can be seen placing his arm behind Gosling's back while they pose for cameras, but Gosling appears to ask him not to. (Their conversation is unintelligible in the video.)

Following Barbie's release in theaters, the interaction between Liu and Gosling drew attention. However, Liu reassured everyone that there were no issues between the two Kens. "I would happily collaborate with Kenadian again without hesitation," he expressed in a post on his Instagram Story on Wednesday.

Liu further praised Gosling, considering him as "the most amazing person in every aspect, especially when he entertains us with his playful demeanor both on the carpet and on set, spreading positivity among all of us." He concluded his message by urging fans to focus on important matters, such as supporting our striking actors and writers who are fighting for fair wages.

Fans wasted no time expressing their thoughts on the embarrassing incident online. Liu later addressed the situation, providing clarity. A Twitter user, now known as X, expressed their disbelief, stating, "I would be too embarrassed to show my face ever again." Another individual shared, "The humiliation is so intense that it physically affects me."

Nonetheless, some individuals noted that the stars' actions were reminiscent of the dynamic between their characters, Ken, in the Barbie movie. Throughout the majority of the film, their respective characters portray rivals.

“If you have any knowledge about Ryan Gosling, you'll understand that he completely immerses himself in every role he takes on, and he doesn't break character until the very end,” another fan expressed on Twitter. “He's subtly reminding Simu Liu to remain in character, which only enhances their storyline and generates more buzz in the media. It's truly brilliant on his part.”

At the Toronto event on June 28, Gosling expressed his admiration for Liu during an interview with Canada's Etalk. He spoke highly of Liu's versatile skills, including dancing and acrobatics, stating, "Simu is capable of anything." Gosling further praised Liu's strong energy, referring to it as his "Kenergy," and expressed nothing but admiration for him.

Liu amusingly alluded to the rivalry between the Canadian co-stars while speaking with the media outlet. He joked, "I realize it's not exactly courteous for two Canadians to have such a relationship. Our Kens have a tendency to get on each other's nerves, but it's a truly enjoyable dynamic to portray on screen."

Greta Gerwig's Barbie, in which Margot Robbie takes on the role of the iconic doll, premiered on July 21 and had a remarkable run at the box office. The movie amassed a staggering $162 million in total earnings, surpassing Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer, which brought in $82.4 million during its opening weekend. Barbie and Gerwig, who is 39 years old, made history by achieving the largest opening debut ever for a film directed by a woman.