Following his Oscar nomination for his role as Ken in 2023’s blockbuster Barbie film, Ryan Gosling has shared his disappointment over the controversial snubbing of both Margot Robbie, the film’s star and producer, and director Greta Gerwig.

While Barbie may have received an impressive number of Oscar nods, the decision not to nominate Robbie for best actress or Gerwig for best director has proved divisive, with fans taking to social media to express their disdain for the Academy’s choice. As Stylist’s Shahed Ezaydi put it: “A film that was a satirical comment on our patriarchal societies and had female empowerment at its heart has had one of its male leads recognised for his performance – ultimately, proving the entire point of the film.”

Among the criticism, Gosling himself has spoken out in support of his co-stars. “I am extremely honoured to be nominated by my colleagues alongside such remarkable artists in a year of so many great films,” he shared in a powerful statement. “And I never thought I’d be saying this, but I’m also incredibly honoured and proud that it’s for portraying a plastic doll named Ken.”

Going on to address the controversial decision, he said: “But there is no Ken without Barbie, and there is no Barbie 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.”

Fellow Barbie star America Ferrera, who was the only other cast member to earn a nomination in the best supporting actress category for her role as Gloria, also shared her disappointment over the decision.

“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, but on the snubs for Gerwig and Robbie, she noted: “I was incredibly disappointed that they weren’t nominated.

“Greta has done just about everything that a director could do to deserve it,” Ferrera said. “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.”

“I would love to see even even more female-directed movies on the list and to see more female directors acknowledged for making the best cinema of the year,” she added.

Barbie was the highest-grossing film of 2023, taking $1.44 billion (£1.14bn) worldwide, making Gerwig the first female director to earn over $1 billion at the box office.

Images: Getty