At the 2024 Critics Choice Awards, actor Ryan Gosling made headlines with his unexpected reaction upon winning the award for Best Song for "I'm Just Ken," featured in the movie Barbie.
Portraying the character Ken in the film, Gosling's victory came as a surprise as the song surpassed the highly favored "What was I Made For?" by Billie Eilish, part of the same movie's soundtrack.
Gosling's peculiar response to the announcement caught the attention of audiences worldwide. Instead of displaying the typical elation associated with winning, the actor appeared incredulous and bewildered, creating a viral moment on social media platforms. The question arose: What was the meaning behind Ryan Gosling's unexpected reaction at the Critics Choice Awards 2024?
A camera captured the moment when Gosling, rather than breaking into a smile, showcased apparent confusion at his victory. Opinions about Ken's reaction varied among viewers; some speculated that he doubted the song's worthiness of the award, while others argued it was a manifestation of humility.
Social media platforms echoed with comments such as, "It's like acing a homework assignment and not believing it," or "Logical reaction from someone aware they didn't deserve it." Despite the controversy surrounding Gosling's response, "I'm Just Ken" has already garnered over 100 million views on Spotify, though significantly less than Billie Eilish's composition with a remarkable 500 million views.
Prior to the premiere of Barbie, Ryan Gosling faced criticism for being deemed "too old" to portray Ken. Dismissing such comments, the 42-year-old actor addressed the issue in an interview with GQ, stating, "Has anyone ever thought about Ken before this? (...) no, we haven't cared about Ken all this time." He brushed off concerns about his age, emphasizing that his decision to take on the role was driven by the opportunity to contribute to a project promoting female roles and talent, sharing the screen with co-star Margot Robbie.
Gosling further defended his portrayal of Ken, asserting, "If people don't want to play with my Ken, there are many other Kens to play with." He expressed a deep connection to the character, seeing it as an opportunity to reconnect with a youthful version of himself, a time when he embraced lighthearted roles before delving into more serious films. Reflecting on his journey, Gosling acknowledged the importance of his past and the influence it had on his present success, stating, "The reality is that he is the reason why I have everything I have."
