Ryan Gosling’s much-anticipated performance of the Oscar-nominated song, “I’m Just Ken” from the “Barbie” film did not at all disappoint at tonight’s 96th Academy Awards.
Highlights included a massive stage production complete with dozens of Kens dressed in tuxedos seemingly inspired by the suitors in Marilyn Monroe’s iconic “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” scene in “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,” Gosling’s dazzling all-pink ensemble, a Slash guitar solo, and a fangirl sing-along with co-stars America Ferrera, Margot Robbie, and director Greta Gerwig.
But what’s really got people buzzing is the mid-performance “La La Land” reunion between Gosling and his former leading lady, Emma Stone.
Towards the end of the song, Gosling steps back down into the audience while large screens display the lyrics in classic Barbie font and encourage the audience to sing along.
As he walks up to Stone in the front row, Gosling passes her the mic and the actress wastes no time belting out the hit. For fans of 2016’s “La La Land,” which starred Stone and Gosling as an actress and jazz pianist who fall in love, this fleeting awards moment was the stuff of dreams.
“This is THE Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling moment I have waited for all awards season,” one X user wrote in a viral tweet.
this was THE emma stone and ryan gosling moment i have waited for all awards season #oscars pic.twitter.com/v6ESsANFoV
— Nora Dominick (@noradominick) March 11, 2024
“La La hive how are we feeling?” a user asked, with another commenter responding, “Seen, vindicated, validated, moisturized, in our zone, thriving, etc.” A third user noted, “crying, screaming, throwing up.”
la la land hive how are we feeling #Oscars https://t.co/U3MShfUL4h
— Zoë Rose Bryant (@ZoeRoseBryant) March 11, 2024
big moment for insufferable la la land fans pic.twitter.com/cdFgJewGgj
— swiftie struggle tweets (@swifferstruggle) March 11, 2024
“Ryan Gosling just gave the mic to Emma Stone for a brief moment. This is my La La Land flashback happening again oh no,” came another user’s remarks. A second person added, “I get La La Land flashbacks anytime they’re in the same room.”
RYAN GOSLING JUST GAVE THE MIC TO EMMA STONE FOR A BRIEF MOMENT THIS IS MY LA LA LAND FLASHBACKS HAPPENING AGAIN OH NO
— The Film Drunk (@thefilmdrunk) March 11, 2024
Whether or not you’re reeling from “La La Land” nostalgia, the movie that led to Stone winning her first Oscar, Gosling’s performance was undoubtedly a fun-packed, glitter-filled, sequenced soliloquy of sad boy pop that brought the Oscar audience to their feet.
Online, people suggested that Gosling outdid some of music’s more serious contemporary artists.
ryan gosling outperforming some of the pop girls oh id be embarrassed asf
— clementine (@ilyclemmie) March 11, 2024
Imagine this not being your craft and you outdoing people effortlessly https://t.co/9AvFEWgKBq
— Ms. Andry Noir, PhD (@keatingssixth) March 11, 2024
At tonight’s Oscars, the former Mickey Mouse Club child star certainly proved he hasn’t lost his chops.
