Let’s face it, we were all looking forward to seeing Ryan Gosling’s “Kenergy” live when he performed “I’m Just Ken” from the Barbie movie at the Oscars tonight. And did he deliver with a big, “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend”-inspired performance.
Users on X, formerly known as Twitter, lost it: “Ryan gosling starting ‘i’m just ken’ in the audience behind margot robbie who CANNOT stop laughing. genius. i hope the kenergy never leaves ryan gosling #oscars,” one user shared.
“When you lose the Oscar but win the show. #Oscars2024,” another wrote. (Gosling did not win in the Best Supporting Actor category, losing to Oppenheimer’s Robert Downey Jr.)
ryan gosling has always been a performer
— 2000s (@PopCulture2000s) March 11, 2024
pic.twitter.com/qrNDRreMbb
ryan gosling starting "i'm just ken" in the audience behind margot robbie who CANNOT stop laughing. genius. i hope the kenergy never leaves ryan gosling #oscars pic.twitter.com/NVgEvEzGHH
— Nora Dominick (@noradominick) March 11, 2024
When you lose the Oscar but win the show. #Oscars2024 pic.twitter.com/NQLiZxMasK
— Jenelle Riley (@jenelleriley) March 11, 2024
My favorite part of the "I'm Just Ken" performance is watching Ryan Gosling actively hold back laughter the entire time. #Oscars
— Sophie Vershbow (@svershbow) March 11, 2024
Some compared Gosling’s Marilyn Monroe homage to Blake Lively’s as Serena van der Woodsen in Gossip Girl, while others called out the original cinematic reference. “This I’m Just Ken performance is so Gentlemen Prefer Blondes coded,” one wrote.
Ryan Gosling performing I’m Just Ken pic.twitter.com/bjM3xsXzq8
— ali golub 🌼 (@alibrooke4ever) March 11, 2024
This I’m Just Ken performance is so Gentlemen Prefer Blondes coded pic.twitter.com/UhsL3UBp5P
— Alp (@alplicable) March 11, 2024
she was a punk, and he did ballet #Oscars pic.twitter.com/IiiFppahnx
— popculture (@notgwendalupe) March 11, 2024
Some fans also called out his moment with La La Land co-star Emma Stone in the audience:
ryan gosling holding up the mic to emma stone during his performance of “I’m Just Ken” pic.twitter.com/cMKXjn4gvS
— daily ryan gosling (@dailyrgosling) March 11, 2024
this healed me pic.twitter.com/BGHXcqR7l4
— bethany (@fiImgal) March 11, 2024
The rest of the internet was just obsessed. “This performance of I’m Just Ken is the highest form of art, I will hear no counter arguments at this time,” one user summed up perfectly. Here, more of the best, funniest reactions:
ryan gosling said, I am going to leave every megachurch worship pastor in the DUST
— kelsey mckinney (@mckinneykelsey) March 11, 2024
This performance of I’m Just Ken is the highest form of art, I will hear no counter arguments at this time.
— Amanda Litman (@amandalitman) March 11, 2024
If you loved Ryan Gosling’s performance of “I’m Just Ken” I would recommend that you check out musical theatre.
— ashley hufford (@ashleyhufford) March 11, 2024
ryan gosling outperforming some of the pop girls oh id be embarrassed asf
— clementine (@ilyclemmie) March 11, 2024
How I was listening to Ryan gosling sing I’m Just Ken at the Oscar’s pic.twitter.com/9J8kVfda0u
— Sopranos World (@SopranosWorld) March 11, 2024
america ferrera, greta gerwig, and margot robbie hyping up ryan gosling. i'm sorry. i'm never getting over it #oscars pic.twitter.com/qnzmqwGGkT
— Nora Dominick (@noradominick) March 11, 2024
— Rafa Sales Ross (@rafiews) March 11, 2024
Ken finally gets Barbie’s attention. #Oscars2024 pic.twitter.com/sgcn91tLto
— Ramin Setoodeh (@RaminSetoodeh) March 11, 2024
THE LAST HI #BARBIE, HI KEN! pic.twitter.com/1pxJQvkAt9
— Ryan Gosling Nation (@ryangosnat) March 11, 2024
no thoughts. just cillian murphy clapping and smiling after the i'm just ken performance. #oscarspic.twitter.com/pxZK6Aeq2Y
— rie 𖤓 (@huntzberqer) March 11, 2024
On March 9, Oscars eve, People reported that Gosling was “electric” as he rehearsed on stage at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. “Ryan was in great spirits, and he was a total pro,” a source told the outlet. “He was joking around and having a great time.”
“Ryan was relaxed, his spirits were high, and everyone was having fun,” the insider added. That much was clear on the Oscars stage, and the world is better for it.
This article was first seen on ELLE US.