Eva Mendes Defends Ryan Gosling: "Beyond Proud to Be This Ken's Barbie"

When the 2024 Oscar nominations were announced and fans were hit with the realization that Ryan Gosling and America Ferrera were the only two members of the Barbie cast to receive acting nods — director Greta Gerwig was also snubbed — everyone seemed to be in a state of shock. Critics called out the situation as a reflection of the film's message and Gosling himself issued a statement saying that was a bittersweet mix of triumph and delight and disappointment. Today, his wife, Eva Mendes, posted a message of support, reminding people that when Gosling's casting was announced, there were plenty of naysayers.

"So proud of my man," Mendes posted on Instagram. "So much hate when he took on this role. So many people trying to shame him for doing it. Despite all the #Notmyken ridicule and articles written about him, he created this completely original, hilarious,heartbreaking, now iconic character and took it all the way to Oscars. So beyond proud to be this Ken’s Barbie."

In the lead-up to the film's release, Gosling spoke to GQ about the #NotMyKen movement, which saw fans decrying his casting as the now-iconic doll.

“It is funny, this kind of clutching-your-pearls idea of, like, #notmyken. Like you ever thought about Ken before this?” Gosling said at the time. "And everyone was fine with that, for him to have a job that is nothing. But suddenly, it’s like, ‘No, we’ve cared about Ken this whole time.’ No, you didn’t. You never did. You never cared. Barbie never fucked with Ken. That’s the point."

Gosling is nominated for Best Supporting Actor and Ferrera is nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the 2024 ceremony. Margot Robbie and Greta Gerwig didn't recieve any nominations for the film, even though leading up to the Oscars, both were up for awards at other ceremonies, like the Golden Globes and the Screen Actors Guild Awards.

After the nominations were announced earlier this week, Gosling voiced his disappointment with the situation. He also took a moment to congratulate Ferrera for her nomination. 

“I am extremely honored to be nominated by my colleagues alongside such remarkable artists in a year of so many great films. And I never thought I’d being saying this, but I’m also incredibly honored and proud that it’s for portraying a plastic doll named Ken," he shared. "But there is no Ken without Barbie, and there is no Barbie movie without Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie, the two people most responsible for this history-making, globally-celebrated film. No recognition would be possible for anyone on the film without their talent, grit, and genius."

"To say that I’m disappointed that they are not nominated in their respective categories would be an understatement," he continued. "Against all odds with nothing but a couple of soulless, scantily clad, and thankfully crotchless dolls, they made us laugh, they broke our hearts, they pushed the culture, and they made history. Their work should be recognized along with the other very deserving nominees. Having said that, I am so happy for America Ferrera and the other incredible artists who contributed their talents to making this such a groundbreaking film."

Ferrera voiced similar disappointment after the Oscar nominations, sharing the same mix of joy and sadness for herself and her castmates. 

“I still haven’t really been able to get in my feelings because I’m still on like the top layer of ‘I can’t even believe that this is real,’” she told Variety. “I was incredibly disappointed that they weren’t nominated.”

“Greta has done just about everything that a director could do to deserve it,” Ferrera finished. “Creating this world, and taking something that didn’t have inherent value to most people and making it a global phenomenon. It feels disappointing to not see her on that list.”

Behind the camera, Barbie was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Costume Design, and Best Production Design.

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