Can you feel the Kenergy? Ryan Gosling took the stage at the 2024 Oscars to sing the nominated song, “I’m Just Ken,” from Greta Gerwig’s blockbuster hit Barbie. Watch the video of Ryan Gosling’s “I’m Just Ken” 2024 Oscars performance below.
Gosling sang “I’m Just Ken” at the 96th Academy Awards on March 10, 2024, marking the first time the actor performed the song live. The Best Supporting Actor nominee was joined by seven-time Grammy winner Mark Ronson, who penned the hit track, and British musician Slash, the lead guitarist of the rock band Guns N’ Roses. Kens from the original film, including actor Simu Liu, were also a part of the musical number.
At one point during the show, Gosling handed the microphone to Barbie director Greta Gerwig and his co-stars, Margot Robbie and America Ferrera, to sing along.
The actor rehearsed the elaborate number before the 2024 ceremony on Saturday, March 9. “Ryan was in great spirits, and he was a total pro,” a source told People. “He was joking around and having a great time.” The insider added that Ryan “was relaxed, his spirits were high, and everyone was having fun,” as he worked on the musical number with Ronson.
Raj Kapoor, one of the Oscars’ executive producers, teased to IndieWire before the show that “the official quote should be the Oscars will have Kenergy.” Meanwhile, Molly McNearney, also an EP for the awards ceremony, added that Gosling’s been incredibly passionate about it, and very involved in his performance.” She continued, “He is a total professional. He has met with us multiple times. He’s come to walk the space,” she said, while calling his performance “epic.”
Ahead of the performance, Ronson teased the musical number on the red carpet. “It’s [an] absolutely bananas spectacle,” Ronson told E! ’s Laverne Cox. “We’re only ever gonna get to perform this song maybe once with Ryan.”
While noting that Ryan “kind of put us all on his shoulders” or “Ken’s shoulders,” the music producer explained how surreal it’s been to be involved in making the Barbie hit. “We were backstage saying before, ‘We can’t believe we’re a part of this,’” he added. “It’s very exciting.”
Watch the Ryan Gosling’s full “I’m Just Ken” 2024 Oscar performance below.
