Eva Mendes Commends Ryan Gosling’s Oscar Nomination Amid ‘Barbie’ Backlash
In the wake of Ryan Gosling’s Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Ken in the film “Barbie,” Eva Mendes, his partner of over a decade, has come forward in defense of his performance. The actor’s nomination for Best Supporting Actor was revealed on Jan. 23, marking a milestone in his career.
Taking to Instagram the following day, Mendes posted a heartfelt tribute to Gosling, acknowledging the challenges he faced in the role. “So proud of my man,” she wrote in the caption, addressing the criticism he endured for taking on the iconic character. Mendes highlighted the negativity surrounding the portrayal of Ken, using the hashtag #Notmyken, and expressed admiration for Gosling’s ability to turn the character into an original, iconic figure that earned him an Oscar nod.
In a supportive comment, co-star America Ferrera, who also received an Oscar nomination for her role in the film, praised Gosling’s brilliance as Ken and commended him for his support of women in the industry.
Mendes shared a slideshow featuring screenshots of a Rolling Stone article from June 2022, titled “Sorry to Be the One to Say It, but Ryan Gosling Is Giving Major Cringe as Ken in ‘Barbie.’” The article had criticized Gosling’s initial appearance in the role, describing it as “full camp” and “full cringe.” Gosling had previously addressed the skepticism on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” asserting that people had not thought much about Ken before.
Despite the initial skepticism, “Barbie” turned out to be a success, with audiences praising Gosling’s comedic timing and commitment to the role. The actor, now a three-time Oscar nominee, will be competing against other talented actors in the Best Supporting Actor category.
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Responding to his nomination, Gosling expressed gratitude but also disappointment that co-stars Margot Robbie and Greta Gerwig were not recognized in the actress and director categories, respectively. He acknowledged their crucial roles in the success of the film and emphasized the collaborative effort that made “Barbie” a groundbreaking project.
“Barbie” received a total of eight Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, with Margot Robbie nominated as one of the film’s producers. Greta Gerwig received a nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay, further solidifying the film’s place in the history of globally celebrated cinema.