I’m Just Ken Song Producer Says He Won't Perform At Oscars Without Ryan Gosling

The cinema award season is in full swing at present with anticipation building for the upcoming Academy Awards. As the anticipation for the most prestigious film awards intensifies, all eyes are turning to actor Ryan Gosling. Not only is he a contender for the Best Supporting Actor Oscar award, but his popular ballad, I’m Just Ken, featured in Barbie, has secured a nomination for Best Original Song. Typically, the nominated songs are performed live during the show. It has raised speculation about Gosling’s potential appearance on stage to sing I’m Just Ken. However, there is no official confirmation about the song’s performance by either Ken himself or the producers of the song, as of now.

“If Gosling opts not to perform the song live, it appears the song won’t be performed at the show at all,” said Mark Ronson, the producer of the Barbie soundtrack and co-writer of I’m Just Ken, in a recent interview with Variety. He expressed a strong desire for the song to be performed but also stressed that it would only happen if Gosling took the mic.

“That would be great,” Ronson said of Gosling performing I’m Just Ken at the Academy Awards. “Did he confirm it to you? I want to know… it’s my dream! It’s my dream,” he added.

While Gosling’s confirmation remains pending, Ronson’s stance is pretty clear: I’m Just Ken will only be performed at the Oscars if Gosling lends his voice. When presented with the idea of another performer stepping in, Ronson firmly stated, “No. I think if Ryan doesn’t do it then we’re not doing it,” he told Variety.

Even before the Academy Award nominations were announced, Gosling reportedly faced inquiries about potentially singing I’m Just Ken live during the Oscars broadcast. At a time when the nomination for this song was not officially, confirmed, the Barbie actor humorously speculated about the logistics of such an engagement but refrained from disclosing his plans. “Well, I haven’t been invited. And I wasn’t thinking about it until now, and now it’s all I’m going to think about,” Gosling told W Magazine. “Do you get paid to sing at the Oscars? Do you have to drive yourself? What kind of scratch is involved? They pick you up at least, right?”

With I’m Just Ken and Billie Eilish’s What Was I Made For?, both nominated for Best Original Song from Greta Gerwig’s 2023 phenomenon, viewers are expecting an interesting competition.

The 2024 Academy Awards ceremony is scheduled to air live on ABC on March 10th.